The Dating Plan(98)
“Too bad. When you called to say you were coming, I bought you a birthday surprise.”
“My birthday isn’t for two days.”
Hamish handed him a cardboard container. “But you’re here today, and this is one of the best burgers in town. It’s a serious half pound of grass-fed beef topped with cheddar, bacon, pineapple, pickles, special sauce, and onions on a homemade sesame-seed bun.”
Hamish delivered as promised. The burger was delicious. They talked bikes while they ate and Liam shared his fears that the panic attack he’d had at the Patels’ might mean he would never ride again.
“You need to get back on the road.” Hamish wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Best way to get over that kind of trauma. Take it from me. I’ve had so many accidents, I can’t even count. You gotta push through it. What you want is on the other side of your fear.”
Liam walked around the store, checking out the gear while Hamish cleared off the counter. “So what are you saying? I should buy another bike?”
“I got a big shipment in the other day,” Hamish said. “Maybe you should take a look at the new XDiavel. I can grab the keys if you want to take it for a test drive.”
Liam walked through the gleaming rows of bikes in the showroom to the outdoor lot. Although dark clouds had rolled in, threatening rain, the XDiavel gleamed in the fading light.
“If you’ve got the cash, I’d say this new model is worth serious consideration.”
It was beautiful. Sporty. A devil of a machine. But something was missing. “What about the pillion seat?”
“It’s still really meant as a solo ride,” Hamish said. “I wouldn’t recommend that bike if you’re planning on taking Daisy out on a regular basis.”
“I don’t know if we’ll be together.” Liam’s voice caught and the words tumbled out before he could catch them. “Her family wants her to marry someone else. He doesn’t know her. Not the way I do. He’s not going to understand when she starts putting lists and schedules all over the house, or doodles math problems on every surface. He won’t know she likes martinis, or that her favorite restaurant is the Dosa Palace, or that her room looks exactly like it did when she was fourteen. He’s not going to understand what it was like for her to grow up without her mom. He won’t know that she can scream ‘Go Sharks’ loud enough to win a free pizza. And he won’t know that Max is a very special dog.”
Hamish studied him for a long moment and then wound his way through the motorcycles until he got to a monster bike, a blue and black Honda Gold Wing Tour. “It’s not about the ride, it’s about who you’ve got in the pillion seat, and it sounds to me like you’re done with the XDiavel.” He patted the massive black leather seat. “I think this might be what you’re looking for. The new four-valve six gives you 125bhp and it’s got a full suite of electronics. But the reason people buy this bike is the pillion seat. We’re talking super plush and super safe. It’s got armrests, a heated seat, electric screen, you name it. It’s a lounge chair for the open road. Any pillion will rightly feel like a queen.”
It was hands down the biggest, heaviest bike Liam had ever seen. There would be no pep to that motor, no leaning into corners, no zipping in and out of traffic. It lacked the style and sophistication of his XDiavel, the racetrack-ready sport bike feel. Far from being maxi-naked like the XDiavel, the Gold Wing was fully clothed—a motorcycle made for two.
“That’s the bike,” he said. “I’ll take it, but I need it now.” He wasn’t going to sit around and wait to be chosen. He wasn’t going to let fear stop him from going after what he wanted. He was going to Daisy’s house and he would show her family that no one was more worthy than him.
“I’ll put a dealer plate on it and you can take it for an extended test drive while I do the paperwork.” Hamish handed him the keys. “You need any gear?”
“Full armor. The best you’ve got. And helmets. For two.”
* * *
? ? ?
LIAM had it all planned out. He would park his new Gold Wing outside Mr. Patel’s house. Daisy would be waiting on the front step. There would be hugs and kisses. Tears and congratulations. Mr. Patel would come out to shake his hand, telling him it had never really been a choice. They had always wanted Liam, and welcome to the family.
The first part of his plan couldn’t have gone better. The dark clouds parted as soon as he left Hamish’s shop, and a sliver of sunshine lit his way to the Patels’ house, where he found a parking space right out front. He eased the bike to a stop and turned off the engine, his gaze flicking to the porch to see if Daisy was there. That was when he noticed the decorations.
Paper lanterns, streamers, flowers, and shiny twirling spirals dripped from the overhang above the front door. A birthday perhaps? Or maybe an anniversary? After securing his helmet, he rang the bell. No answer. He knocked on the front door and sent Daisy a quick text. When she didn’t respond, he took a quick peek through the windows and felt the first stirrings of concern.
There could be many reasons why the furniture had been removed to make way for long tables covered in colorful tablecloths, each with a centerpiece of brilliant flowers. Or why there was a pile of presents in the hallway, wrapped in paper decorated with wedding bells and cartoon brides and grooms. Maybe they were hosting a relative’s wedding celebration. Or opening a party shop. Or maybe he’d won the battle, but lost the war.