Page 65 of Four-ever Single

She pretended to consider it, then shook her head.

“How are things going with you guys? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since before the bachelorette party. Even then, it’s been so rushed with just a few words in between breaks.”

I sighed heavily, sitting down beside her.

“It’s going good. Really, really good.”

I toed the rug beneath me to keep from looking at her until she nudged me with her shoulder.

“Awww! Does this mean you’re finally having feelings for your husband?”

I rolled my eyes, but not nearly as dramatic as she did.

“Yes, I have feelings for my husband,” I said sarcastically. “We actually said we loved each other before the wedding.”

“You did?” Her teasing tone had changed to serious, and I was almost sure I could also hear a hint of hurt.

I nodded and looked at her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Things started happening so fast after that. It was the night we went to dinner with Kensy and Capshaw, and I ran into that creepy guy in the hallway. We got home and I was crying and upset about it. He held me and threatened to make a list of people whose asses he needed to kick, then admitted that he loved me.”

“I don’t know if I’m more hurt that you didn’t tell me right away when it happened or happy that my best friend is in love with her husband,” Lia squealed.

“You know, a lot of people fall in love with their husbands. It’s not 100% yet, but a recent poll showed that most newlyweds confirmed they loved their spouses,” I teased, ducking when she grabbed another pillow and launched it at my head.

“Smart ass,” she mumbled though it didn’t keep the grin from tugging the corners of her lips.

“Better than a dumb ass.” I winked, knowing she knew it was coming, as that was what we always said to each other.

“I know you probably miss your husband and all of the hot sex you guys were having, but I’m really happy to have you back for however long you need. I know I won’t be here much, but at least the Hucklebees are home during the day and stay up late at night, so they’ll hear if you need anything. And we all know how nosey Janet is. You can bet she’ll call the cops if she sees anything suspicious.”

I nodded and tried to smile, but what for? There was nothing to be happy about right now. Someone was blatantly stalking me, hiding in the shadows while I was left to sit and wait for them to make their move. On top of that, I had to be apart from the one person I wanted to be with the most right now.

Forty-One

Jones

While I would have loved to spend today at home with Bella, I was up early and reported to the fire station. Instead of working a forty-eight-hour shift like I usually did, I was only on for twenty-four hours so I could stay on track with my platoon. Yesterday was the start of their forty-eight on, but I was off for my honeymoon, which was now cut short. We didn’t want to mess things up by having me work different days and with another platoon when we were trying to keep things as close to normal as possible.

But I also wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do during my off time if Bella was staying with Lia and I didn’t have to work for the next three days. How was that supposed to work if we were married but my wife wasn’t living with me? People in town would start talking, and the last thing I wanted was to jeopardize her getting the inheritance because people questioned the validity of our marriage. Sure, it might have started out fake, but it felt more real than anything I’d ever felt before.

The guys were in the kitchen, eating breakfast, but my stomach had been sour since last night so I skipped it and went to check the supplies in the truck. I knew someone else had already done it, but I needed a task to keep my mind occupied so I didn’t obsess over Bella all day.

As if knowing I was already thinking of her, my phone dinged with a text message alert.

Bella: I would say good morning, but it’s only good when I wake up beside you. How are you?

Me: I barely slept last night and haven’t been able to eat anything. Being away from you literally makes me sick.

Bella: I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to eat either.

Me: I’m sorry, too. I wish there were more I could do. I hate being apart.

Bella: I’m the reason we’re in this situation. I’m considering pulling out of my contract with Dark Vibes.

Me: Why would you do that? I thought you loved that job?

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