Mia crouched down, her eyes sparkling as she admired the intricate details of Ashley's motorcycle. The sleek, all-black bike with gold accents gleamed under the light, radiating sophistication. Clutching her chest dramatically, Mia let out a dreamy sigh.

"Are we really going to ride this?" she asked, glancing up at Ashley, who was already geared up in her safety equipment.

Ashley chuckled, shaking her head. "Look at you, reacting like a kid. I almost feel like I've got a daughter with me instead of a girlfriend," she teased, laughing softly.

Mia pouted, puffing her cheeks slightly. "It's just... it's so cool, just like its owner." Her gaze lingered on the bike. "Why don't you use this more often?"

Ashley clicked her tongue. "Can you imagine me showing up to your taping with this?" she said, raising a brow. "I used to ride it all the time before I became your bodyguard—strolling around or heading to the station. But now it's more practical to use the car."

Ashley's lips curved into a smile as she noticed Mia was already wearing her safety gear, clutching the helmet she had chosen earlier.

"Do you want me to teach you how to ride a bike?" Ashley asked, her tone casual but warm.

Mia blinked, taken aback. "You'd teach me?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement. "But... I don't think I can even reach the pedals on this bike."

"There are big bikes with lower suspensions," Ashley explained, walking over to Mia. "You can also have them customized to fit your height." She took the helmet from Mia's hands and adjusted the intercom. "Here, let me help you put this on."

Carefully, Ashley secured the helmet on Mia's head. She peeked under the visor, checking the fit. "How does it feel?"

"It's perfect," Mia said with a bright smile, giving Ashley a thumbs-up.

Ashley nodded, slipping on her own helmet. "Can you hear me through the intercom?"

Mia tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, so this has an intercom? That's cool! And yes, I can hear you clearly."

"Good," Ashley said, walking over to the motorcycle. She motioned for Mia to come closer. "Okay, listen up. If I brake, you'll need to put your hands on this tank and lean forward like this," she demonstrated, ensuring Mia understood the posture for a safe ride.

Mia nodded eagerly as Ashley explained the basics of being a passenger. "Got it, sugarplum?" Ashley asked, raising a playful brow.

"Yup, all clear, honeybunch!" Mia replied with a laugh.

Ashley smirked, shaking her head at Mia's enthusiasm. "Alright, hop on." She extended an arm for support as Mia climbed onto the back of the bike. After securing the duffle bag in front of her, Ashley felt Mia's arms wrap around her waist, accompanied by a soft giggle.

"You good back there?" Ashley asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Absolutely," Mia said, her voice filled with joy. She rested her head lightly against Ashley's back, a contented smile hidden behind her helmet.

"Hold on tight," Ashley said as she carefully guided the bike out of the garage. The engine purred as they eased onto the road, the wind brushing against their gear.

Mia couldn't contain her happiness, her heart fluttering with every passing moment. Ashley's been doing so much to make me feel special. How can I make her feel as loved as she makes me feel? she wondered, tightening her embrace around Ashley's waist.

"Feeling nervous?" Ashley asked, noticing Mia's firm grip.

"Nope," Mia replied with a laugh. "I'm just... happy. Really happy."

Ashley smiled under her helmet, accelerating slightly as the open road stretched before them. The breeze carried Mia's laughter as they rode, leaving the world behind, if only for a little while.



Mia slid off the motorcycle as Ashley pulled into the garage of the Pierce siblings' family home. Removing her helmet, she glanced toward the porch, where Riley, Sienna, Harriet, Zoey, Nyx, and Vera stood, all watching them intently.

Ashley followed, tugging off her helmet and tucking it under her arm. She looked at Mia just as Nyx pointed at them, her expression exaggerated.

"Wait a second! Did you two just roll up on a motorcycle?" Nyx blurted, eyebrows raised.

Ashley rolled her eyes and smirked. "Are you blind, Nyx? Do we look like we just got out of a car wearing these gears? Honestly, you're hopeless," she teased, earning a laugh from Mia.

"Wow, Mia, I didn't know you would ride a motorcycle," Riley remarked, stepping forward to place a hand on her best friend's head. "This has been your dream for a while, hasn't it?"

Mia's grin widened, and she nodded.

"Look at her, smiling like a kid who just got their favorite candy," Sienna teased, pulling Mia into a warm hug. "My celebrity best friend is finally here! Took you long enough."

"I'm glad you came too, Ashley," Riley said with a smile, turning to the older woman. "I had to ask Mia to tell you because I didn't have your number." She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

Ashley chuckled. "Not a problem. Thanks for having me."

As Mia and Sienna headed into the mansion, Nyx suddenly clapped a heavy hand on Ashley's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. "So..." Nyx drawled, glancing between Ashley and Mia's retreating figure. "What's this? Riding in on a motorcycle together, Mia grinning like that? Something's up."

Ashley blinked in confusion, her gaze darting to the others now gathering around. "Wait—why am I suddenly being interrogated?"

Nyx squinted at her. "I seem to remember—"

Before she could finish, Mia came rushing back outside, Sienna hot on her heels.

"Mia Tran!" Sienna called, clearly exasperated.

Mia skidded to a stop and ducked behind Ashley, clutching at the older woman's shirt.

Ashley turned her head slightly, bewildered. "What's going on?" she asked as Mia pressed herself further behind her.

"Are you two just going to keep denying it?" Sienna demanded, hands on her hips. "Are you guys dating or not?"

Ashley stiffened, her eyes flicking around at the now expectant faces. "What?" she sputtered.

Mia peeked out from behind her, her grip still firm. "I told you, we're not dating!" she exclaimed before glancing up at Ashley with a small smile. "Right, Ash?"

Ashley let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing her temple. "Yeah, we're not dating."

Nyx raised an eyebrow and tugged at Ashley's shirt collar, revealing the faint mark on her neck. "Then care to explain the hickey?"

Ashley froze, her eyes widening. "That's—uh—a mosquito bite!" she blurted.

Riley crossed her arms, raising an unimpressed brow. "That must've been one big mosquito," she said dryly, her gaze shifting between Ashley and Mia.

Ashley scratched her chin thoughtfully, her tone deliberately playful. "Yeah, about five foot five, mid-twenties, Vietnamese-American..."

The statement earned her a smack on the back of the head from Nyx.

"I thought you two said you weren't dating!"

"We're not!" Mia and Ashley chorused, though their voices lacked conviction.

"Maybe they're not dating," Harriet chimed in, her lips curving into a sly smile, "because they're already girlfriends."

Mia flushed, burying her face against Ashley's back. "What?!" Riley, Sienna, and Nyx exclaimed simultaneously.

"I told her to skip the dating part," Mia mumbled, peeking out again.

"What?!" Riley and Sienna repeated in unison, their voices an octave higher.

Vera laughed behind her hand, her face slightly pink. "It's not like Nyx and I dated before we got married," she said.

Riley's head snapped toward her sister-in-law. "Wait, what? You two didn't date?!"

"They didn't," Harriet interjected with a chuckle.

Nyx glared at Harriet. "You knew?!"

Harriet shrugged nonchalantly. "It was obvious."

Mia grinned. "See? Dating is so overrated," she quipped, earning pointed glares from both Riley and Sienna.

Riley and Sienna glared at her. "Mia!"

"What?" Mia grinned mischievously. "If I remember correctly, you two hooked up before even thinking about dating!"

Harriet and Nyx both gasped in unison. "Riley!" they exclaimed.

Riley's face turned crimson. "Nothing happened back then!" she protested.

Mia stuck out her tongue. "Sure, whatever you say."

"Oh, I can't even relate. I actually dated Zoey back then," Harriet said casually, earning a chuckle from Zoey as she turned to look at her.

Mia raised a brow, smirking. "Ha! If I remember correctly, it started with a kiss when Zoey begged you to pretend to be her partner," she teased, tapping her chin as if in deep thought.

Ashley pressed her lips into a thin line, struggling to suppress a laugh at Mia's bold revelation.

Zoey shook her head, laughing softly. "That's not even the first kiss, Mia," she said with a knowing smile.

"Wait—what?!" Nyx's jaw dropped as she glanced between Harriet and Zoey.

"It's not," Harriet admitted, her gaze skirting Nyx's curious stare. With a playful smile, she placed her hand on Zoey's head. "This woman right here kissed me for the first time back when we performed at a bar. Remember that night I told you I had to meet someone?"

"Hold up—that was that night?!" Nyx exclaimed, looking completely stunned as her eyes darted between them.

Harriet nodded, laughing softly at the memory.

"See? I was right!" Mia declared triumphantly, sidling up beside Ashley.

"But seriously, what's the deal with the two of you?" Sienna cut in, pointing between Mia and Ashley. "Are you dating? Girlfriends?"

Mia sighed dramatically, her face reddening. "Harriet just told you," she muttered, hiding her face behind her hands. "I'm with Ashley."

Nyx burst into laughter. "So much for you waving the straight flag all these years," she quipped, causing the group to erupt in laughter.