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I wanted to laugh. Even if I was willing, Alexis was definitely not interested. It wasn’t for me to say, so I smiled. “No. She’s only a good friend. No interest on either of our parts.”

West nodded as our breakfast was delivered. “She’s really nice. Does she bike too?”

“She does, and she designs electric bikes and scooters, in addition to the mass manufactured bikes we’re planning to market. How about you? Is there someone waiting at home for you?”

Weston laughed. “Not at all. I’ve dated since I was in high school, but nothing ever stuck. I don’t want to be tied down to the wrong person, ya know?”

In that instance, I guessed he’d taken a look at someone like me and decided I was a cautionary tale, what with a too-short marriage. He was a handsome guy, just like my ex-husband, though Scott and I were older.

Many men and women likely found West attractive and took their shot at him, just as they’d done with Scott. The difference was Scott didn’t say no when he should have.

“You see a future with someone as being tied down?” My voice had a bite I wasn’t proud of but the comment reminded me too much of what Scott said at the end of our marriage. “Being tied to you is like struggling against the anchor of the Titanic.”

West shook his head. “I didn’t say that. I said I didn’t want to be tied down to the wrong person. If I find the right person, I wouldn’t see it as being tied down. Catch the difference?”

Well, he had me there.

He excused himself to the men’s room while I paid the bill. When he returned, I finished my coffee and got a cup to go.

“Okay. Let’s get back on the road.” I pointed to the RV as Weston went to the bike and unlocked it.

“I’ll call you.” He hopped on the bike and waited for me to get into the RV. I nodded to him to go ahead, and I pulled out of the parking lot behind him, hazard flashers blinking to alert other drivers to the cyclist ahead of me.

We were on a state road so I could ride behind him as the SAG car—support and gear car—and offer him some protection from other motorists. I didn’t hate that I got to watch his ass swaying on the back of the bike all day.

We were closing in on West Point, New York, where we were going to stop for the night. West and I had been talking much of the way, but his phone was nearly dead, so we hung up to preserve his power. I made a note to get him a portable charger so he could extend his phone life.

After stopping twice for snacks and restrooms, West seemed to be doing well. I saw him move his right hand from the handlebars, and a moment later, my phone rang. “I’m here, West. You okay?”

“Fine. I just wondered what you were doing?”

I could hear his breathing as he pedaled up the hill ahead of me, and I wished to fuck I was there next to him instead of driving the SAG car. “Well, I’m following you. Do you need something?”

“I’m fine. The bike is great. The aero bars are fantastic. I mean, leaning into them seems to be working well and takes the pressure off my lower back. The seat, though... It’s not as comfortable as I hoped. I’ll be fine, but just a note for you. How about you?”

I nodded, though he couldn’t see it. “We can change bikes tomorrow morning when we leave West Point. I got a reservation at a hotel instead of sleeping in the RV. That okay?”

“But I kinda like the camper. Are there any campgrounds nearby? What time is it?” He didn’t sound winded at all, which was a good sign. He was making good time, but it didn’t surprise me. He was showing me the dedication to the cause that I hoped to see.

“It’s just before five. Let’s stay at the hotel tonight. There will be enough occasions that we’ll have to sleep in the camper, so let’s take advantage of this so you can have a decent shower and a good meal before I give you a rubdown. The hotel is about eight miles on your left. What do you like to do for fun, West? Any hobbies?” I truly enjoyed talking to Weston, and those last few miles were the hardest when one was riding a hundred a day.

“Uh, I was a nerd. Putting together puzzles of all kinds was fun for me. Legos, wooden, crappy cardboard. Puzzles of all kinds. I even like doing crosswords and find-a-word puzzles. How about you?”

I chuckled. “As I said before, I’m an engineer. I like putting things together as well. Favorite kind of music?”

“I like all kinds of music except electronic dance music. I want words that mean something. You?”

“Nineties music is my favorite. I mean, that was my youth. That music helped me get through heartbreak and disappointment.” My thoughts ambled back to the music that shaped me. So many songs swam through my mind, and I smiled.

“Will you tell me about your first heartbreak?” West asked.

“Why do you want to hear about that?”

Weston sighed. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re divorced from your husband. I just wanted to know if you were blindsided. You said your ex-husband cheated. Did your first boyfriend cheat, too?”

My mind drifted back to Perry Syler. He was my high school’s golden boy. Captain of the football team, and a real prick. Of course, nobody could convince me of it back then. I’d given him a few blow jobs, and then we got caught in his car behind the football field by his friends, and they embarrassed him. Perry beat the fuck out of me, trying to prove that he was straight. That was before I started working out so nobody could ever physically hurt me again. The emotional pain, though—one can’t prevent that if they let someone in.

“Cheaters and closeted guys were my weakness back then. I thought I’d gotten over that stupid mindset until Scott showed his true colors. How about you?”