Four Kicks - Stephanie Brother Page 0,16

go out and have some fun with us?” Derek asks.

I slide my chair back and gather my notes, hugging them against my chest as if to provide a barrier between me and the four men. “Listen, I used to be all about the fun, but things have changed for me. All of a sudden, my body wants a baby and wants it badly, and I want to find a man who wants the same thing. Going out and having meaningless fun isn’t going to help.”

“What’s life without some meaningless fun once in a while?” Landon says, leaning back in his chair, a carefree grin stretching across his handsome face.

“We could show you an amazing time.” Derek has turned on that puppy dog expression again, with the kind of eyes that could persuade a person to do anything he asked.

“I know I would have a great time with you, and trust me, I am tempted. I’m so painfully tempted on a daily basis that I would quit this job if my family didn’t need the money so badly. It would really help me out if you just let me do my work and not tempt me with invitations.”

“Maybe you don’t realize, Lacy.” Nathan’s eyes have gone so dark they’re nearly black.

“What?”

“You’re tempting us, too.”

I gaze back at him for a moment, almost wavering, but somehow remaining strong. I should be awarded a medal for the heroic effort it takes me to say my goodbyes, leave the office, and head home alone.

11

A wall of man

Sunday is the island’s end-of-summer festival. It marks the end of the tourist season with food, games, a few rides, and booths from local businesses hoping to gain more sales from Four Points locals and remaining vacationers.

I helped my family prepare and pack up for the event but am grateful not to have to work our booth for the first time in several years. I’m excited about the day but when David arrives to pick me up, it occurs to me that I’m more excited about spending time out in the sun seeing friends and neighbors than I am about spending time with him.

I should be feeling more for him, shouldn’t I?

He looks nice and his company is pleasant, but my body and mind are not firing up in his presence. Not like they do with other men.

We make our way around the festival grounds together until David pulls out his phone, checking a text. “My buddy John just got here. He’s back by Main Street. Would you mind if I run back and meet him? You can look around and I’ll find you again.”

“That’s fine.” I’m actually relieved. I could use a little time to think. I don’t want to waste my time or David’s time, and things just don’t feel the way they should. My gut is telling me I should stop seeing him.

I’m heading toward a jewelry booth that’s caught my eye when there’s a tap on my shoulder followed by a full-on hug as soon as I turn.

“Lacy!”

“Maddy! How are you?” I return her hug with an even bigger one. As soon as we detach, I turn around to look for Amelia. Maddy’s four men are behind her, and there’s a baby carrier strapped to the front of Josh.

“Is she in there?” All I can see are a sun hat and little dangling legs. In contrast to Josh’s broad chest, the little bundle that is baby Amelia looks almost smaller than she did when I met her at the hospital a few weeks ago.

Josh lifts her hat and I catch the sweetest glimpse of button nose, rounded cheek, and impossibly long lashes. In awe, my voice drops down to a whisper. “She’s so precious.”

“Especially when she’s sleeping,” Maddy laughs. “How’ve you been? Walk with us. We’re looking for my mom’s booth, actually.” In a teasing tone, she adds, “Maybe she has apple fritters.”

“Yum.” I join my friend, and the Harding brothers fall in step behind us, following at a distance so Maddy and I can talk.

“So how are things going with David?”

“I’m here with him, actually. He just went off to find a friend. Things are okay.”

She frowns. “Just okay?”

“Yeah. I think I need to end things. Not that there’s much to end. We just went out a couple of times.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine. Really.”

Just as we catch sight of the bakery booth, a wall of man approaches from the opposite direction. Derek and Landon each raise a hand