Bikers and Pearls by Vicki Wilkerson Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t know you even owned a pair of jeans.”
    “Very funny.” April kicked off the red, runway heels and rummaged in the coat closet
     by the door for her favorite pair of black leather clogs. She slipped her feet into
     them. “There. Much better.” She didn’t really think so. The other shoes were so much
     more head turning. She wasn’t thinking straight, though. She didn’t need to turn anyone’s
     head—especially Bull’s.
    Jenna asked, “You still haven’t answered me. Where are you going?”
    April tried to speak nonchalantly and said, “The library.” It was time to change the
     subject. “Where have you been? I’ve left several messages.”
    “I stopped by to see Ben this morning and then an emergency neighborhood watch meeting
     late this afternoon. We had a break-in today, but you’re not going to change the subject
     that easily.” Jenna stared April up and down again. “Seriously. We’ve been best friends
     since kindergarten. I know you. That’s not an I’m-only-reading-at-the-library get-up,
     now is it? Don’t even try to lie to me.”
    April wasn’t about to lie to her best friend, but she wasn’t going to answer her,
     either. The grief she would get would go on and on, and April simply didn’t have time
     for that right now. Bull was probably already there. From what she’d already seen
     of him, he was pretty reliable and punctual—like Jenna.
    “Sweetie, I wish I had time right now to talk, but I’m making fliers for that charity
     thing for Ben. And I’m late.” She saw the concern in Jenna’s eyes. The same concern
     she’d seen when they were seven and Jenna stayed by her bedside. Jenna had talked
     and talked and talked—until April came out of her silence.
    Jenna put her glasses back on and took one long, last look at April. “Okay, I’m gone.
     But call me when you get back in. You can’t be too careful after last night. We still
     need to talk.”
    April gave her friend a quick hug and closed the door. She glanced at her watch. She
     was really late now. Frantically, she darted to her bedroom to get her purse and keys.
     After she glanced in the mirror, she took off the pearls and raced the berry lipstick
     over her lips once more to punch up the color. There.
    She stared at her image. Ever since college, she’d only been on a handful of dates.
     Each one more boring than the last. As her expectations dwindled, so did her attempts
     at trying to dress to impress anyone. But look at her now. The only problem was that
     she wasn’t even going on a date.
    At her front door, she checked her bag. Cell phone, binder, money. As she touched
     the doorknob she froze. Maybe she would slip into those look-at-me shoes again. She
     kicked off the clogs and slid her feet back into her designer heels.
    We’ll just see what happens.
    …
    Bull waited at the computer he had confiscated for his and April’s work. He checked
     his watch again. The woman was only five minutes late. Why was he thinking that she
     wasn’t going to show up? Because he knew she was apprehensive of him and his past.
     That was why. But as he was about to swing back around in his seat, he saw her.
    And wow . She hardly looked like the same April. Put a leather jacket on her, and this woman
     would look real nice sitting on the back of his Harley—or anybody else’s for that
     matter. She was really something. Appeared like she belonged on the pages of one of
     those fashion magazines instead of Business Week like she’d looked earlier.
    He stood up and raised his hand to signal. Good. She saw him.
    “Hi,” she said, keeping her distance. She clutched a thin notebook to her chest—as
     if to protect herself. Why is she so guarded?
    He had a strange urge to touch her in some way—to shake her hand or give her a hello
     hug. He didn’t know. Something more than “Hi.”
    “I brought along some ideas,” she said and held out the binder.
    “So did I.” He pointed to the computer. “I