Page 3 of Simply You & Me

Her gaze flits up to meet mine, then immediately narrows when she sees me watching her probably with hearts in my eyes.

"Mom," she scolds.

Smirking, I take the turn into Rylee's neighborhood. "You're just so pretty, Aurora May," I tease, completely serious, but wanting to poke her. She's just so damn sassy lately.

Grumbling under her breath, she complains about my use of her middle name.

"Layla will love your gift. She can never turn down fuzzy socks or leather bracelets. I think it's perfect, but if she doesn't like them, then we can get her something else."

Her dramatic sigh makes me chuckle. I feel like she's a freaking teenager rather than an eight-year-old these days.

Parking behind a small gathering of cars, I hop out and smooth out my dark purple romper. It's the coziest, nicest thing I own, and I was already feeling uncomfortable about coming today, so it was a must. Tugging on the bottom, I subtly check that the tops of my thighs are covered. Hidden from view, the hemline gives me a few extra inches of leeway before anyone would see.

I let my hair dry naturally, allowing it to decide whether the dark brown strands wanted to be straight or wavy. It chose a mixture of both today, covering my flat chest in their curtain. I can't have cleavage even if I wanted to, so the V neckline just highlights my necklaces.

"Come on!" Rory grabs my hand and drags me up the driveway.

The move effectively rips me out of my demure thoughts of my body, which looks like a teenage boy’s. I'm sure if I ate more or had the time to stuff my face, I would fill out a little. But, alas, I'm a single mother working every chance I get and making sure my kid has everything she needs. My needs fall to the bottom of my list of to-dos.

Unsurprisingly, Rory doesn't knock, tossing the front door open with a squeal on her lips. She shoves the gift we brought into my empty arms, making me realize I forgot the bottle of wine I got in the car.

Layla sprints out of the kitchen, screaming Aurora's nickname. "ROAR!! You're here!" Her head of long white-blonde hair mixes with Rory's chocolate brown locks as they tackle each other in a hug. You wouldn't think these girls saw each other every day with their display.

Avoiding the rest of the bodies in the house, I quickly duck back out, having left the gift bag on the entryway table. My sandal catches on the door frame, making me stumble away from the door that's rapidly closing in on me.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Trying my best to right myself, I feel my body going horizontal way too fast. My vision darkens, making me think I'm about to pass out. Just as blackness steals all color from the world around me, I'm wrenched away from my impending doom and swung around.

Warmth meets my ear. "Woah! You okay, Doll?"

The thumping in my chest doubles at the husky voice trying to steal my clothes. A solid body behind me grips me close, settling some of my constant jitters. I know for a fact that I couldn't break out of his hold if I tried, and instead of feeling trapped, my mind quiets.

The wind whips my hair away from my eyes, finally allowing me to see. A pair of black eyes, framed by messy midnight black hair, stuns me silent. The second guy is so damn tall he has to bend over to look me in the eye. The man holding me must be at least the same height to cradle my body so completely. Whatever the guy in front of me sees makes his lips kick up in a pointy smirk around the unlit clove dangling between us. I'm not quite sure what to call the rumble coming from him, but damn, does it make me tremble. His sharp features give his bad-boy persona something edgier that I never realized could be real.

Before I can pry my tongue from the roof of my mouth, the man with the clove is shoved away, only to be replaced by a big smile and twinkling green eyes. The arms around me tighten, almost possessively as a third guy comes into view. This man leans down just like his friend. I scowl, attempting to ignore how pretty his clean, curly red hair is. I want to take a bite out of his amazingly high cheekbones.

"I'm not so short you need to bend over," I huff, yet he still doesn't move. Instead, he raises one eyebrow and lets his gaze trail down my body, focusing on my tingling knees. "No?" he taunts.

Frowning, I look at my legs, finding them bent, giving the phrase weak in the knees a whole new meaning. Forcing my feet against the ground, I stand straight, only for the giant behind me to laugh against my neck.

"I leave you three for one minute, and you’re already holding someone hostage?" The fourth voice comes from behind the ginger man. "Zach, let her go. This looks bad."

Does it? It doesn't feel bad.

I catch sight of the fourth and final guy, barely able to hold in my gasp at how edible Tate looks up close. Sure, I've seen him from afar a few times, but that had nothing on his ethereal features and short, dirty blonde hair. Even if I didn't know he was related to the girls inside, you could’ve deduced this by their same eyes and wide-as-hell smiles.

Tate's eyes narrow over my shoulder. "Zachary. What the fuck?!"

"What?" The chest against my back vibrates.

Coughing, I shift out of his embrace. As his arms loosen around me, I feel my racing thoughts and constant buzzing energy rising once again.

I have to get the wine, then I have to say hello to my friends. Maybe help them with food or something. I'm sure I can be of use somehow. Rylee would probably appreciate it if I helped pick up trash throughout the party. I could?—

"Where are you going?!"

Tate's shout is much farther away than I thought it would be, since he was just right in front of me. Looking around, I see I'm already halfway to my car, and the guys are watching me walk away.

Shit. Well, that was rude of me.

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