Biker by Ashley Harma

country now in boring old Pennsylvania.
    Noelle brooded all afternoon, her thoughts consumed by Blaze and his sexy tattoos and toe-curling bedroom moves. She brooded until Liz arrived, smiling broadly and holding a pizza box.
    “Dinner!” she sang.
    “Hey! Come on in.” Noelle held the door open and Liz bounded inside.
    “How’s it going? Your place looks super clean!”
    “Thanks. I actually spent most of the day cleaning. I guess I'm okay...”
    Liz frowned and scrutinized Noelle's face closely.
    “Well what did you expect, Liz? I mean it hasn’t even been a week. I thought I was going to spend my life with the guy.” Noelle felt tears prick at her eyes, and frustrated, she wiped them away.
    “Hey, I’m sorry. I don't mean to interrogate you. You just seemed so happy in Vegas...” she trailed off, at a loss for words.
    “I know. That trip was great and it definitely kept my mind off things. But now that I’m back home,” she shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about moving.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yes. Maybe into something like you have.” Noelle thought of Liz’s cute little townhouse.
    Liz nodded slowly. “I thought you were worried about paying your mortgage, though. I mean, a townhouse would probably be more expensive than your condo.”
    Noelle couldn’t exactly tell her about the money. “I know. I was just thinking that if I could get a good deal on a townhouse and maybe push the sale price up on the condo...” She shrugged again. “It's just an idea. A daydream, probably.”
    “Well if there’s anything I can do to help with that, let me know. Now come on, let’s eat.” Liz carried the box into the kitchen, Noelle took out two plates, and they both dug into the pizza.
    Noelle surveyed the kitchen as they ate, and it struck her that Todd's presence was everywhere. She was beginning to realize that she couldn’t stay in this condo. At the same time, she recalled Blaze’s words about getting in touch with him if she needed more cash.
    Could she really be part of another heist again? She was assuming that was what Blaze had meant. But the promise of more cash, and seeing Blaze again was so enticing. Financing a townhouse would be no problem if she had another chunk of cash.
    Noelle pushed the thoughts from her mind. How could she possibly consider willfully committing a heist? It was one thing to be a clueless pawn, as she had been at the Mirage; it was another thing entirely to be a willing participant...
    Was she crazy?
    Well, in a way, yes, she was crazy!
    “Hey,” Liz said, glancing at the medicine bottle Noelle had left sitting out on the counter. “How are things with, you know,” she nodded towards the bottle.
    Besides her sister, Quinn and Liz were the only other people who knew about her illness and the battles that came with it. Todd had known, but that no longer mattered.
    “Fine, everything’s fine,” Noelle said quickly, not wanting to discuss her bipolar disorder. The words alone made her feel crazy, and she already felt itchy within her own skin just by Liz asking about it.
    “You’re sure?” Liz asked carefully, “I mean, I know we had fun in Vegas, but it was really kind of out of your nature to run off with a stranger.” She looked relieved, as if she had been wanting to say that for a while.
    Noelle was impressed that Liz had actually said something. She had been wondering if one of her friends was going to speak up and ask her about leaving that night with Blaze. Had they assumed it was just a rebound thing, or were they secretly wondering if it was a symptom of her illness beginning to spiral out of control?
    And honestly, Noelle wasn’t quite sure herself.
    Her illness caused her to act irrationally at times, and to not always think through her decisions, which in turn led to carelessness, impulsiveness, and risky behavior.
    “I know,” Noelle agreed, “I’m not sure why I left with him. Maybe it was a combination. But I’ll tell you one thing – I