Sweet Dreams (Sunset Dreams Series Book 1) by Jennifer Senhaji

didn’t change anything between true friends. Get on my bike and you can leave yours here. We’ll call someone to come get it. I am not going to leave you on the road!” Jake looks angry, it’s a little scary.
    There’s no way to get out of this without coming off as really mean and he won’t understand. I know the minute I get on his bike all the feelings I had for him will come rushing back for me.
    This wasn’t the plan.
    I was trying to get over him and get on with my life.
    What can I do?
    If we’re friends, there’s no reason for me not to take his offer.
    Ugh I’m so screwed.
    I can’t see a polite way out of this. “Fine,” I say, resigned.
    “Good, leave the bike here and grab your bag.” Jake beams. He’s just the same. Like no time has passed.
    Laying the bike on the ground, I take my bag and book with me. Scanning the ground to make sure nothing else is left, I turn toward Jake and he sweeps me up in an unexpected hug. The barrier around my heart where Jake is concerned crumbles.
    Oh, his smell. He smells the same, so good, fresh and clean.
    Unable to resist, I wrap my arms around his neck. I’m so weak when it comes to him. Now, I don’t want to let go. I feel Jake exhale against me and we both pull back at the same time smiling at each other.
    “There you are.” Letting go of me, he jogs over to his bike and walks it back over to where I stand. “Come on, let me show you what this baby can do.” He looks excited and bounces up on his bike first as I climb on behind him, place my book in my bag, and throw my bag over my shoulder.
    “This isn’t the same bike, is it?”
    “No, I keep this one here. The one you saw before was a rental. I have another one in LA. Hold on.”
    Jake turns the engine on and the vibration kicks in right away. I wrap my arms around his waist without needing an invitation and squeal as he turns back onto the road.
    “Lean into me in the turns so you don’t fall off,” Jake calls over his shoulder.
    “What? Oh sugar! Don’t let me fall off!” I yell back and scoot closer to him so I’m practically wrapped around him.
    This is obviously encouragement as Jake laughs, hits the gas, and speeds down the road. This is so scary, but exhilarating at the same time.
    What a rush.
    We drive for a while, little squeals escape me every time Jake hits the gas. As we enter the main town, Jake slows down and asks, “Where are you staying?”
    “Casa di Gino,” I say in his ear, feeling him shiver a little. This reaction makes me smile and I grab him a little tighter around the waist.
    “I know where that is.” Jake takes a few corners and soon we pull up in front. He stops and turns off the bike, placing his hand on top of mine, which are still wrapped around his waist. “We’re here.”
    I let go reluctantly and slip off the bike. Turning to face Jake with a big smile on my face I exclaim, “Wow, Jake, that was really fun. Scary, but fun. I can see why you always ride.”
    Jake nods in agreement and takes off his glasses.
    His eyes, green like… like the freshly cut grass of the Amalfi hills.
    Amalfi green?
    I feel a little weak in the knees as he looks down at me in earnest. “How long are you here for?”
    I shrug. “I don’t know yet. I’m leaving it open.”
    Does he want to get together? Maybe we can have lunch or something.
    “I’ll go to the mechanic and have someone pick up your bike, fix the tire and bring it back to you.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Sure. It was great running into you, Jen.” A moment of silence passes between us as Jake regards me. “See you around?”
    This rings so familiar. Even though I have no idea where he’s staying, or how we ran into each other, or when I might see him again, I smile and say, “See ya around, Jake. Thanks for the ride.”
    “Anytime, Jen.”

Chapter Twenty-Four
    If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all. Audrey Hepburn
    U p in my room, I sit on the bed thinking