Page 4 of Four-ever Single

“Ever since word has gotten out about my recent assignment with Dark Vibes, I’ve gotten some unwanted attention from it. I knew it was a whole different game doing lingerie modeling, but I honestly didn’t expect the news to spread through town the way it did. The men think I’m some walking wet dream while the women are lighting their torches. I get that Dark Vibes is a sex toy company, but it’s not like I’m doing live videos showing how to use them. Their company is very progressive and focused on women’s empowerment.”

“I’ve found that nothing stays secret in a small town for long,” he offered quietly. “I was definitely surprised by that when I moved here, with all the unwanted attention I’ve gotten. You’re beautiful inside and out, Bella. Don’t let what others think of you get to you. They have bigger issues if they have time to sit around and judge you for being a model.”

“You seem to be getting quite a bit of attention from the calendar. I’ve seen the women around town checking you out,” I teased, hoping he recognized the playful tone in my voice.

“It’s the other guys in it that have the women in town drooling. I’m just the one who everyone talks about or looks at when something catches fire.”

My heart sank with the sadness in his voice.

“I don’t think that about you,” I said, gently touching his arm.

He looked down at it but didn’t pull away like I expected him to. He also looked completely unsure of what to do, so I pulled back and folded my hands in my lap.

“Thank you,” he replied, flipping on his turn signal as he followed Capshaw to my house. Technically, it was mine and Lia’s, but she hadn’t been around much lately. Between finishing medical school and spending time with the guy she was dating, it was like having the whole place to myself.

He pulled into the driveway and put his truck in park but didn’t make any move to get out. It was as if he didn’t want this time between us to end any more than I did.

“Um, do you want to come inside and have a cup of coffee?” I offered, wincing when I sounded like some old lady from the cheesy late-night reruns Lia made me watch with her. I looked out the window and rolled my eyes. Way to go, Bella. Sounding so desperate and needy.

“You don’t have to,” I rushed out. “I don’t know if coffee this late is even a good idea. I mean, it’s not super late or anything, but who wants to be all jacked up on caffeine? I mean, I guess some people because they might have stuff to do. But not me. I mean, it’s not that I don’t have a life—I totally do. But working out in the morning isn’t something that requires a ton of sleep tonight. So you know, if you wanted to—”

“I’d love to come in for a cup of coffee,” he said, interrupting me. “But maybe we should consider decaf.” He winked playfully, sending a jolt straight to my vagina before getting out of the truck and coming around to help me out.

Capshaw was already unlocking the door while Kensy held Lia up. Lia had been determined to get drunk enough to forget her problems for the night, while Kensy and I had no desire to get wasted. She had plans with her fiancé that she didn’t want to miss, and I didn’t need to consume extra calories by drinking them right now. I had another photoshoot in a few days and needed to make sure I was at my absolute best for it. Unflattering swelling from the excessive sugar intake Lia was demanding would only be detrimental to me.

We followed them inside, and I kicked my heels off and set them on the rack by the door before hanging my purse on the hook above it. Jones had been to our house with Capshaw a few times, so I wasn’t surprised when he kicked off his shoes and set them beside mine.

“I’m going to make some coffee. Anyone want some?” I offered as Lia fought Kensy on going to bed.

“I’ll have some,” Lia hiccupped, plopping down on the couch as Kensy struggled to get her knee-high boots off of her.

“You need sleep,” Kensy said, grunting as she pulled so hard she started to fall back.

Capshaw steadied her before moving her out of the way and tugging his sister’s boots off. He picked them up and took them to the rack while Lia tugged at her off-the-shoulder sweater and grumbled about how tight her pants were. She had insisted on getting dressed up tonight, but Kensy and I knew she would be complaining about the tight attire before the night was over. Lia much preferred wearing scrubs and tennis shoes, so it was always a big deal when she decided to attempt heels.

“I’m not tired,” Lia objected, swatting her brother and Kensy away. “I just need loose pants and a cup of coffee. Or maybe another shot so I can forget about that asshole...” She hiccupped again, wiping a tear away.

“Or maybe, some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning, which is all the more reason to get you into some comfy pajamas and into bed,” Kensy said, giving Lia the look.

I turned on the Keurig, grabbed the spinning carousel with pods, and set it on the counter in front of Jones.

“What would you like?” I asked, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach as his fingers brushed against mine when he reached over to spin it.

“What are you having?”

“Decaf coffee, black. I already drank too many calories tonight,” I said with a soft sigh.

“I’ll do the same.”

“I can make you something else,” I offered. “Lia has some caramel vanilla—”

“Touch my coffee and die,” she called over her shoulder as Kensy guided her to her room.

I laughed, loving that there was never a dull moment with my hot-headed best friend.

“She won’t really kill you,” I said with a grin, feeling nervous when Capshaw came over to the island and pulled out the stool beside Jones.

“She probably will,” he corrected, nudging Jones. “I told you about the time I ate her Baby Ruth.”

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