"Do you think that perhaps it would be Miss Sinclair who would go ape-shit?" Gwen asked.  That was a double whammy for Elijah, whose coffee cup nearly slipped from his grasp, which wouldn’t have mattered one iota since it was just about empty.  Gwen’s first whammy was when, following a blush, she confirmed that she was indeed a grown-up.  Obviously, she’d heard every single word he said about the racetrack and bikes.<br/><br/>She was right, of course, about Mary Beth going ape-shit.  Though now that he thought about it some more, she’d be more inclined to go all Kraken-shit.  Having previously admitted to him an insecurity when it came to Gwen, Elijah knew he’d be pushing the envelope if the woman sitting across from him ever showed up at the racetrack, with or without Toby.<br/><br/>Thing is, sometimes Mary Beth joined him during race weekends, sometimes she didn’t, citing the loud engines and toxic smells in and around the pits as detriments.  Which, of course, Elijah highly disagreed with.  As far as he was concerned, if someone could somehow bottle the scent of race fuel (while also removing its toxicity and combustibility), he’d wear that cologne just about every day.  Similar to Robert Duvall’s famous line from<i>Apocalypse Now</i>, Elijah’s would be, “I love the smell of race fuel in the morning!”<br/><br/>Gwen’s alternative idea was both fair and astute, as it conveniently left her outta the picture.  He knew he’d still have some explaining to do at Toby’s appearance, but nowhere near as involved had it been the little boy and his mother.  He thought of Rosalie and how he knew she’d be thrilled with a female adult’s attention bestowed upon her.  They’d already met, after all, and his little girl cherished that notebook Gwen had made especially for her.  Speaking of which, before they parted company, he’d be sure to order a few more notebooks.  Rosalie was sure filling up that first one at a rapid pace.<br/><br/>Again, she was right about the various roles she assumed, but she couldn’t be his date.  He didn’t think of it that way, but if she did, then that counted in his eyes.  And the fact that she was entrusting Toby in his care was the highest of compliments, coming from a single mother.  Or just a single parent, for that matter, as he was doing the same thing with his darling daughter.  Elijah was about to brush off her examples of embarrassment in his presence, but realized it would be futile to do so.  She was just as stubborn and headstrong as he was, so what was the point?<br/><br/>Taking a break from their kids and significant others, present day and from the past, Gwen looked up and around the café.  Her eyes met Martin’s and it appeared to Elijah that they were locked in some sorta staring contest.  He very nearly burst into fits of laughter when Martin clearly looked away first, thus ensuring the winner’s wreath would be all Gwen’s.  However, he did burst into fits of laughter after she called her brief opponent an asshat.<br/><br/>Able to speak once more, and after dabbing a few tears of merriment away, Elijah said, “If full-on is what you wish, then full-on is what it shall be.  I’ve got the required funding for either.”  While on the subject of their business venture, his daughter’s face popped into his mind’s eye.  “And that reminds me, Gwen.  Do you think you could make Rose a few more notebooks, please?  Dazzle her with different colors and stuff.  Maybe, I dunno, four?  That way, I don’t keep bugging you about it, and four should keep her busy for some time.”<br/><br/>A few of her other questions were in need of answers, while there was at least one question he had for her.  “Once a week sounds great, Gwen.  I usually head over here from the shop anyway, and Rosalie’s looked after both nights I teach, a neighbor picking her up from after school care.”<br/><br/>Twirling his empty cup, he stated, “As for our finance department, they said whatever it takes.”  He winked at her, then revealed more.  “I’ve, uh, tweaked and worked on their bikes over the years.  So yeah, it’s like they owe me.”  He laughed, reveling in the knowledge of cashing in on those favors.  “And email or text me whenever, too.”<br/><br/>Thoughts of swapping kids did have its own appeal, though Elijah held no delusions of being a father replacement to Toby.  But the boy spending time with him and other like-minded males at the track would for surely be an eye-opener for him.  Knowing the racing community as well as he did, Toby was in for a testosterone-fueled treat.  That, and the camaraderie always evident within the competing teams and the entire pits.  In other words, everyone looked after each other, helping in all kinda ways if possible. This was besides the fact that everyone was also out to beat everyone else’s ass on the track.<br/><br/>“That depends, Gwen.  Are we talking sleepover?” Elijah asked.  “Cuz I will tell you this.  The racing weekend starts on Friday for practices, Saturday for qualifying, and finally Sunday for the actual races.  As the age-old saying goes,<i>Win on Sunday, sell on Monday</i>,” he said with a chuckle.  “Which is kind of a lie, since most dealerships are closed on Mondays, being open on Saturdays.”<br/><br/>Shaking his head at the discrepancy, he concluded, “You just lemme know what’s best for you and Toby.  He probably won’t be able to make it for Friday’s practices due to school, unless mother allows him to cut class, but I’d be happy to have him for the weekend.”<br/><br/>Elijah returned her grin, confirming that he did indeed have extra helmets.  He hoped Gwen didn’t have the same reaction following her initial ride with him that Mary Beth had.  She knew her motorcycles, so chances were pretty good that not only had she been on a bike, but actually knew how to ride one.  “Just tell me when you’re ready for that spin,” he said.  “And I’ll have a destination by then.”