That first ride with Amy was one of the best of his life. He'd always been a loner and his bike was a symbol of his independence. No one rode with him, which is why the helmet had been in storage for so long. He only bought it because at the time he got the bike he'd had a girlfriend of about six weeks and contemplated allowing her to ride on his bike. Luckily, they broke up before that happened. He hadn't really been into her, but he thought he should give the whole boyfriend thing a try.Now that Amy was in his life, he was realizing why the girlfriend/boyfriend thing hadn't worked for him in the past. He'd been waiting for her and no one else would do. Somehow, subconsciously, he'd known. He'd been waiting for the girl next door to grow up.They arrived at the factory far sooner than Jared would've liked. He would have been a happy guy if their ride could've lasted forever. Amy climbed off the bike, just as awkwardly as she'd climbed on it, but her face was a smiling ray of suns

Amy had been looking forward to going over to Jared's all day. She spent the entire day, even the hours at work, contemplating what she was going to wear, what she was going to say, and how she was going to get her sisters to behave without embarrassing her.She texted Teagan the dinner invite, but he didn't text back. Amy was disappointed but not surprised. Teagan had been growing progressively more difficult over the past few months, a development that worried her, but according to their social services worker wasn't uncommon. He'd experienced the same trauma as the rest of them but being older than the younger two made him more aware of what had happened. Rather than bonding with Amy, as she'd hoped he would, he was pulling away.Amy did a little twirl in front of her mirror. Jared had seen her wearing sexy, her crop top and short shorts, he'd seen her wearing slutty, her teeny tiny bikini, now he was going to see her sweet and summery side. She chose a floaty turquoise dress wi

Jared followed Amy back to her house where she spent half an hour helping her sisters get ready for bed. She threw a distracted smile at him as she went streaking through the living room in search of a stuffed unicorn named Clarence. Then, she ran back through the living room with a multicoloured toy in her hands.Jared grinned to himself, stretching his arms across the back of the sofa. He didn't mind waiting one bit. He was enjoying this small glimpse into the domesticity that went on next door to him.Finally, after another five minutes, Amy dropped onto the sofa next to him sighing loudly. She looked tired but satisfied, as though she loved the bedtime routine. Jared wanted nothing more than to drag her across his lap and plunder her with kisses. Maybe even go to second base and put a hand up her shirt.But first, he needed some information. "Your dad called today. Want to tell me about it?"Amy's face dropped in disappointment and she shrank back on the sofa. Jared didn't

As if reading her mind, Jenna reached out to touch the back of her hand. "Hey, it's not a big deal. Honestly. I think it was a mutual split. They tried dating but were too different to make it work. They each went their separate ways, no hard feelings. They still talk when Jared comes over to the house."Somehow, that last bit didn't make Amy feel better. "Jared and I don't have much in common," Amy mumbled.Jenna blushed and set her fork down, a worried expression on her face. "I'm sorry, I'm really bad at this. I shouldn't have said anything. Honestly, there's nothing going on between Jared and Sharon. He has no feelings for her other than friendship. Trust me. What he feels for you is way different. It's like, when he's on the job or at the house his mind is always on you and there's always this half smile on his face. Not something I've ever seen before. He adores you and dotes on your sisters. You have nothing to worry about."Amy sighed deeply and shook her head as if tryin

Jared called Avery, head of jobsite security. He'd asked Avery to look into Michael. Avery picked up on the second ring. He didn't even pause before launching into an explanation. "Just heard your girl's place got broken into. I'm on my way over, gotta talk to you." He sounded out of breath, like he was running. Jared heard the slam of a car door. "Got some bad news. Michael Funk was released from prison this morning. According to his attorney there's evidence his wife slipped and fell in the bathtub and that his client was falsely accused.""That's bullshit," Jared exploded. "Amy heard and saw what happened.""Yeah, her statement held a lot of sway over the jury during the trial. I think it's probably what got him put away."Jared's gut twisted as he imagined an 18-year-old Amy going through police interrogation and then being questioned by lawyers. The whole process must've been exhausting and terrifying."Still doesn't make sense, man. Even if his conviction was overturne