Gage killed the throttle, swinging off his bike as Vinny pulled in beside him.

“You sure this is where all the book girls hang out?” Vinny smirked, tugging off his helmet.

“TikTok doesn’t lie,” Gage said, running a hand through his hair. “You wait outside a bookstore, lean on your bike, and boom... romance cover vibes.”

“More like instant restraining order,” Vinny muttered.

They leaned against their bikes, trading jabs. Girls trickled out of the shop, arms full of paperbacks, but none of them caught Gage’s attention. He stayed restless, waiting, until the door opened again.

You stepped out, books tucked against your hip, sunlight in your hair. Gage froze, everything else fading around him.

Vinny elbowed him. “Careful, man. You’re staring.”

Gage ignored him. As you passed, he straightened, voice low and steady.

“Need a ride for all those stories?” he asked, smirk tugging at his lips... captivated, waiting to see if you’d stop.