Page 2 of Four-ever Single

“There might not be a long line, but the right girl is out there.”

He leaned back as his plate of food was delivered, but I was too distracted to hear what he was saying when I spotted Bella across the room dancing. She wasn’t just the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, but she was Capshaw’s sister’s best friend, and I had recently spent a lot of time with her as I helped Capshaw get them moved into their new house. Just being in her presence was enough to pull me in and captivate me. I had slowly been falling for her ever since, reminding myself that someone like Bella would never go for a guy like me.

But that didn’t stop me from watching as her body moved in perfect rhythm with the beat, her long, curly hair swaying just above her hips, entrancing me. I could look, but I would never be lucky enough to touch.

“So what do you think?” Capshaw asked, popping a chip into his mouth.

I pulled my attention away from Bella, having no idea what he just asked.

“About what?” I asked cautiously, hoping he hadn’t caught me checking her out.

He shook his head, and a smirk crossed his face as he looked past me to where the girls were dancing. Kensy looked around until she spotted us and waved, her eyes lighting up when they landed on mine. She turned to Bella and pulled her in, but they both had their backs to us, so I couldn’t see what she was saying. Very discreetly, Bella looked over her shoulder at us and then turned away, embarrassed that she got caught.

“She’s single,” Capshaw said, dipping his chip into the cup of guacamole on his plate.

“Who is?” I asked, wiping my mouth with a napkin, brows pulled together in confusion. My heart started racing because I already knew what he was going to say.

“Bella.”

I opened my mouth to say something along the lines of how I wasn’t interested in her but shut it when I saw his smug grin growing bigger, confirming he already knew.

“I’m not her type,” I said instead, lowering my eyes to my plate. It was easier to remind myself that I was out of her league than it was to entertain the thoughts of ever having a girl like Bella.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” he said quietly as we caught her looking in our direction. I looked away and focused on my food so my heart didn’t get confused and start getting my hopes up.

An hour passed with us bullshitting and talking about stuff at the firehouse. I was thankful for the company, and it was like the universe had taken pity on me by keeping me from spending the night alone in my apartment.

I got up and headed down the narrow hallway to the bathrooms. I squeezed against the wall to let a couple of girls pass since there wasn’t enough room for all of us with their arms linked together. They appeared to be drunk but happy as they stumbled past me back to the dance area. I was about to go into the men’s restroom when I spotted Bella coming out of the women's restroom. A few guys were lingering in the hallway, one nudging the other and nodding in her direction.

I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I felt the fire pulse through my veins as I watched the taller one snake his arm around her waist and try to whisper something in her ear. She immediately frowned and tried to push him off her, but he pulled her tighter against him.

“Get off her,” I growled, taking a few steps toward them and shoving his chest until she was free from his grasp.

His eyebrows pinched together as he looked down at me, fury raging behind his eyes.

“Who are you? Her little bodyguard?” he asked mockingly.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me, ignoring the shivers that ran through me as she grabbed tightly to the back of my shirt. Now wasn’t the time to think about the electrical current I felt from touching her.

“She’s not interested. Back the fuck off.”

“Or what? You going to make me?”

He raised his chin and stared at me, his fists clenched at his sides. I had no problem laying him out, but I was more worried about Bella being too close. I couldn’t take both guys at the same time and keep an eye on her.

“Walk away,” I said sharply, pulling my shoulders back and leveling him with a look. “Save the cleaning crew from having to mop your blood off the floors after I get done smashing your face in.”

Something that looked a lot like fear flickered in his eyes as I tilted my head and stared at him. My jaw tightened as I struggled to keep myself calm. His friend stepped beside him, making his presence known, but I ignored him and the stupid remarks he was making about Bella.

I worked my jaw back and forth, hoping that Bella would be smart enough to run away if things took a turn. I wasn’t worried about taking on these two douchebags, but I couldn’t stand the thought of her getting hurt in the process.

“I’m not going to tell you again,” I warned. “Leave before I knock your ass out.”

Suddenly, their eyes shifted to behind me, and their features changed. I didn’t have to look back to know Capshaw was standing there watching us.

“Whatever,” he muttered, nodding for his friend to follow him. They walked past, each shoulder checking me on the way. Once they were out of sight, I turned toward Bella and studied her.

“Are you okay?” I asked, trying to keep from reaching out and touching her.

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