Page 24 of 4-Ever Theirs (4-Ever 1)

Chapter Nine

Waking up to a lonely bed was even harder the second time.

Andi rubbed her chest, hoping it was just a lingering sore muscle and not something less curable—like a slowly breaking heart—that was causing the ache there. No such luck. Despite Simon’s magic hands and the amazing rubdown he’d given her before bed, she winced as she stretched.

She wasn’t used to all that…activity.

Glancing at the clock, she was surprised to see she’d slept until noon again. This was the first time she’d been able to catch up on her sleep in years, so maybe it made sense. Committed to the decadence of the next few days before being thrust into the real world, she refused to be sorry about it.

After another quick shower, which loosened her some, she wandered into the kitchen. She smiled when she opened the refrigerator and found a plate with half a sandwich inside. There was a note on top, taped to the plastic wrap.

I know you like my leftovers. Just like Reed. HA HA HA -xoxo Simon.

Any other guy might have gotten smacked for that, but he didn’t intend any malice. Especially after yesterday, since he’d probably filled his quota of serious for an entire decade. The chuckle he gifted her with helped ease her nerves a bit too. She owed him for that.

Speaking of Reed, by the time she was down to the crust of the bread and picking at the last of the good stuff from inside, he came through the back door with his hands covered in grease and an endearing smudge across his cheekbone.

Despite her recent overindulgence, her entire system purred at the sight of him.

In between both Simon and Cooper in terms of height and build, her inner Goldilocks declared him just right. His hair was darker than the others, nearly black, and his contrasting eyes granted him a shocking stare. They fluctuated between gunmetal gray and cornflower blue, depending on what he wore and the lighting in the room, not that she’d spent a disproportionate amount of time studying them over the years. Right.

Despite his calloused hands, he was a thinker—a strategist and a coordinator. Those traits were going to make his medical supply 3D printing start-up a smashing success. She couldn’t wait to see him rising to the top and knew it wouldn’t take long for him to get there.

Driven and focused, he wouldn’t settle for anything else.

Engrossed in studying him, she didn’t hear what he said to her when he noticed her sitting at the table.

“Hmm?” she asked.

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” He didn’t turn to face her as he scrubbed his hands in the sink. “When were you going to mention that your oil light came on again?”

Oh. That.

“Never.” She shrugged. “I’m gonna have to learn to take care of this shit on my own, right?”

“Not yet.” He practically spit the words. “And you know we’re not going anywhere. If you need help, we’re not that far away.”

“You’re going to drive four hours to work on my car?” She didn’t mean to be a bitch, but she also couldn’t allow him to make false promises. The only way this was going to work was if she made a clean break when she walked away.

“I would if you’d let me.” He shook his head as he dried his hands. “Sorry. I don’t want to waste our time arguing.”

“Me either.” She came up behind him and hugged him, resting her head between his shoulders.

Reed put his fingers over hers then squeezed. “It’s harder than I thought, and I knew it was going to suck donkey dick.”

“I know.” She sniffled, trying not to ruin the day with tears.

Then he turned in her arms and took her cheeks in his palm. “No matter what, don’t forget how proud I am of you. All of us are. You deserve this job, this chance to make a difference in your field. It’s a big deal. You’re doing the right thing.”

It felt natural to strain upward until he kissed her.

The first brush of his lips over hers felt like coming home. Ironic, since it was kind of the opposite. Andi committed the moment to memory and knew she’d think of it often when she got homesick. Hopefully his encouragement would give her the strength to stay the course on the long, lonely nights when she waffled over her decisions.

And she knew she would.

But he was right.

This was what she’d been working for. It was what she wanted.

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