T.A. (Biker Bitches 6)

“Then call Dalton and make up with him.”

“I can’t. He probably hates me.”

“That isn’t possible.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good, then call him when you go home. Now, did you bring me a present?”

T.A. grinned. “I don’t know. Did I?”

“Trudy, I want my present.”

“Let me see mine first.” She had to blink back the tears, not wanting them to fall down to the pie. It was going to be so long before they could be together again.

Ginny slipped her hand into her apron and came out with a small box, handing it to her. T.A. opened it under her sister’s watchful gaze.

T.A. lifted the delicate necklace, so the lights would strike it, showing the warm golden glow.

“It’s beautiful. How in the world did you find a necklace with the initials T.A.?” she asked in wonder.

“It wasn’t hard.”

“I’ve never seen one before.”

“You’ve never looked in a porno store?”

“You went to a porno store?”

“Don’t pretend to be shocked. You can’t tell me you’ve never been in one before.”

“Not to buy jewelry, no. What shocks me is that you went in there.”

“I didn’t. I bought it off the internet.”

“Good. It was freaking me out a little that my baby sister went into a porno store.”

“Where’s mine?”

“In my coat, hanging in the entry.” T.A. turned, so Ginny could hook the necklace around her neck.

“I better go into the other room.” Ginny turned her back around. T.A. committed everything about the hug to memory.

“I love you, Trudy.”

T.A. had to swallow back the lump that was in her throat before she could speak.

“I love you, Evangeline.”

30

T.A. twisted and turned in the mirror, watching the light catching the champagne-colored sequins. Hearing the low knock on her hotel room, she nearly stumbled on the long train of the one-shouldered body suit.

Catching her balance, she opened the hotel door to see Dax standing on the other side. An appreciative whistle had her flushing and taking his hand to pull him inside, closing the door behind him.

“Is he here yet?”

“Grace texted that they are in line to get into the ballroom. Are you ready?”

T.A. wanted to bite her lip, but she didn’t want to ruin her lipstick. All the nerves she had experienced since she’d contacted Dax to ask if she could be his date for the New Year’s Eve ball had flown out the window about ten seconds after she had arrived.

Dax held out his elbow. “May I escort you to the ball?”

She lifted her luminous eyes to his. “Are you sure he doesn’t hate me?”

His face grew serious. “No, my dad doesn’t hate you.”

Releasing a shaky breath, she wound her arm around his. “I’m ready.”

Going through the door, she felt she would collapse with every step she took, wishing now she had come up with another plan. One that didn’t involve her public humiliation. The elevator was swift and short, bringing them to the room much too soon. They went to the end of the line. The way the long line curled, Dalton couldn’t see they were behind them unless he turned. When it was almost his and Grace’s turn to walk the red carpet to be photographed, T.A. watched in awe at how sexy he looked when his reflection was caught in the huge mirrored wall. Her courage failed, and she turned to run back to the elevator, but Dax placed his other hand on her arm to hold her in place.

“It’s going to be okay.” His firm tone reminded her of Dalton.

“Is it?”

“Let’s find out.”

Holding on to her arm, he maneuvered them out of line. Just as Dalton and Grace were about to step onto the red carpet, Dax tapped on his father’s shoulder, stopping them.

“I think you’re forgetting something, Dad.”

T.A. gripped Dax’s sleeve with trembling fingers as she waited for Dalton’s reaction.

It wasn’t a long wait. Dalton kissed Grace’s cheek before holding his hand out to her.

Self-consciously, she stepped out on the red carpet in unison with Dalton. Anxious about embarrassing him the first time they were spotted as a couple, she felt like a brittle stick about to break.

“Relax.”

Wondering how he spoke without moving his lips, she hung on to his hand like a lifesaver keeping her from floating away. Thankfully, it was just a short walk before they were let into the ballroom that had been decorated with streamers and balloons held to the ceiling with an almost invisible net.

A waiter stopped them with a tray of drinks. T.A. grabbed hers so fast some sloshed over the side. Embarrassed, she wanted to sink to the floor.

“Thank you.” Dalton shook his head that he didn’t want one. Once the waiter left, Dalton just stood there looking at her. She knew he was waiting for an explanation.

“It snowed when you were supposed to come. The meteorologist said it was a one-hundred-percent chance snowfall. I figured since you missed it, you owe me at least ten visits until you’re caught up.”