Sandy - Melanie Moreland Page 0,7

it repeatedly. “Sandy.” He scowled. “We need to talk about this.”

I stood and faced them all. “What needs to happen is the four of you go back to your offices and to the business at hand. What I choose to do or not do in my private life is my concern, not yours.”

“Your safety—”

“We’re worried—”

“So many nutjobs—”

I held up my hand. “Boys. Enough. If I see someone I would like to meet, I would do so in a public place. I would also make sure someone knew where I would be. I would never give out any personal information until I was certain I trusted the individual.” I shook my head. “You know me better than to think I would act foolishly.”

Bentley spoke, frustration evident in his tone. “By joining one of these sites, you are being foolish.”

I was done.

I sat down. “Easy for you to say since you go home every night to your family, Bentley. As do all of you. My world changed when Max died, and I’m trying to find my feet again. Meet some new people and perhaps not be alone so much. I am not entirely comfortable with the whole idea, but at least the girls understood and tried to help, instead of acting dismissive and treating me like an old woman who doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

They all had the grace to look ashamed.

Bentley shook his head. “Sandy, we don’t think that. We’re just worried.”

Aiden looked pained. “We want you to be happy, but this scares me.”

Maddox grimaced. “You never said anything.”

But it was Reid who deflated my anger and brought tears to my eyes. He leaned forward and gripped my hands.

“Come live with Becca and me, Sandy. We won’t let you be lonely anymore.”

His words and the utter sincerity with which he said them touched my heart. I smiled at them—the small cluster of men standing in front of me, looking as if they were six years old and in trouble for their antics on the playground instead of the successful, take-charge businessmen they were. Their love and concern shone out in their gazes, and the anger I had been feeling dissipated into the air.

“Thank you, Reid. It’s a lovely gesture, but not needed. Boys, I’m not doing anything rashly or without thinking. I promise. If I see a profile I’m interested in, I’ll have you check them out. All right, Aiden?”

He nodded, looking resigned.

“And I’ll be careful.”

“Have your cell phone with you,” Maddox insisted.

“Always.”

“I want to know your schedule,” Bentley stated.

I withheld my laughter. “I think that’s my job,” I teased.

“Please.”

“Fine.”

“I’m monitoring that site,” Reid muttered.

I rolled my eyes.

Aiden bent close. “I’m following you when you go. I’ll sit in the background, so I’m not noticed, but I’ll be close in case there’s trouble.”

My lips twitched. Not noticed. At 6’7”, with muscles everywhere, a vivid tattoo on his arm, and his good looks, Aiden never blended.

“We can all go,” Maddox offered.

I burst into laughter, envisioning the look on some poor man’s face when I sat across from him to have a coffee and the boys sat at the table behind me, glaring in his direction, Aiden cracking his knuckles, Reid somehow hacking in to his phone and digging into his background, while Maddox demanded financial reports, and Bentley stared him down.

How fun.

As I laughed, I met the gaze of Van Morrison, who had come in with Bentley but stayed back from my desk. He listened to the conversation, a smile playing on his lips. As he met my gaze, he gave me a thumbs-up and mouthed the words, “You go, Sandy,” before disappearing down the hall.

At least he didn’t give me a hassle, and I appreciated his silent support.

I brought my attention back to my gang of protectors.

“Good ideas. I’ll let you know. Now, back to work, boys.”

Grumbling, they disappeared into Bentley’s office, shutting the door behind them. I knew I hadn’t heard the last of this, but I wasn’t surprised by their reaction.

I looked down at my phone, weary of the constant beeps. I scanned through the profiles, knowing deep in my heart this wasn’t the right step for me.

But I wasn’t telling them that.

Not yet.

Jordan

I glanced at my desk with a deep exhale. The paperwork was astronomical these days. The busier BAM became, the busier I was. Even though Bentley had hired an extra body to help me, my desk never seemed to clear. I oversaw all paperwork on every project BAM undertook. Every permit, plan, license, contract that was