Owen sighed. “In big cities, it’d be pretty crazy to jump into bed with four men.”
Zoe lifted a shoulder. “Well, there are swingers clubs with security and background checks. Not that I’ve ever gone to one of them, but obviously, with strangers you’d have to take measures to be safe. I’ve had my share of one-night stands, but the group thing is truly different.”
“Good different,” Don added.
“Great different. But yes, if I didn’t work with you guys for a while and know Ash who knew Cam and Don from high school, I’m not sure I could’ve jumped into it so willingly. Plus Ash is in her own little group family thing.”
“We made sure we knew you for a while before we tried to get you into bed.” Owen wanted her to know they hadn’t picked her randomly or out of convenience. However, he sensed too much sentiment might scare her away.
“Group stuff isn’t for everyone. I think Jar will relax and totally love it. Just takes a little time.” Don winked at Owen and kissed the back of Zoe’s neck.
Owen leaned over and kissed Don’s mouth before nipping Zoe’s shoulder. “You’re right. We’ve got to take the group thing slow and steady. Lots of fun and honesty. We should get back to bed before those two think they can have the whole thing.”
“Sounds good. I need to actually sleep.” Zoe slid from Don’s lap and tossed the beer bottles in the recycling bin. The guys wrapped up the food and put it away.
Owen wondered if Zoe felt how natural it was. How easy it all fit together, but it was too soon to talk about the future and all the things he wanted. He felt she was the one, and a good salesman trusted his gut.
Chapter Four
Zoe made it through the rest of the week with only casual connections at work with
her guys
. The automatic reference to her guys came from Lizzie and Crystal. Zoe refused to accept the label even if it had slipped into her thoughts.
Now, on a lazy Saturday morning, Zoe paced the house in frustration, and she didn’t know why.
Crystal and Lizzie had tagged along with Ash and her guys to go to some festival along Main Street. They’d invited Zoe, but it had felt wrong this time. Not for the other girls, but for her. The fall festival sounded so Mayberry-esque. Lucky Springs was too good to be true. It couldn’t be real. Nothing was that glorious except in dreams.
Just like
her guys
.
She’d surfed online but resisted impulse shopping. That wouldn’t make her feel better. Food wouldn’t help either. Zoe had consumed her healthy cereal and nibbled a granola bar, but there was no satisfaction. Maybe it’d be worth a two-hour drive just to walk through a mall. She needed to get out but where?
In the back of her mind, she knew where she wanted to be, but she ignored that option, again and again. If she encouraged them too much, she’d screw it all up. Deep down, she knew she could hurt those great guys. Jar already lacked confidence in the group thing. Owen refused to come out and say it, but she sensed he had doubts it’d work. She saw how his eyes darted. The men all wanted it to work, and Zoe hated being the bad guy. Keeping it casual and slow was smart.
She’d dumped enough men in her life. Some were clingy, some were leeches and some were losers masquerading as winners. These guys were genuine, and if it didn’t work, they’d be hurt and she’d end up being the bitch. How could it work? The only thing on the social agenda all weekend in Lucky Springs was a fall festival and a movie showing on the side of an old barn. How could she be content here?
Grabbing her Smartphone, she checked her email and found nothing. She’d sent a message to her headhunter yesterday looking for an update on job prospects. It was the weekend, so she didn’t expect a response until Monday, but she needed to do something or she’d go mad!
Road trip? DVD marathon of Sex and the City? Or the festival?
She texted Cam about their earlier invitation to the festival and pushed away the embarrassment of wanting their attention. It wasn’t the allure of Main Street fun in Lucky Springs. She missed them.
If they didn’t text her back, she’d go jogging then spend the day trolling for other jobs online with a DVD marathon playing in the background. The plan felt good. She didn’t need men to entertain her or make her feel special. They did, but she’d be just fine on her own!
She was headed into her bedroom to pick out appropriate jogging attire when her phone beeped. Checking it casually, she felt a flutter of excitement. The guys would be there to pick her up in twenty minutes. No doubt, she’d be headed for the fest, but with four men of her own, she wouldn’t be tagging along with anyone else. When she was new to Lucky Springs, she hadn’t minded. Ash knew everyone and had the inside info. Now, Zoe needed to spread her wings and have a little fun with the men devoted to her.
With jogging long forgotten, she slid on a gauzy white bra and panties. Black jeans and a casual T-shirt with winding green ivy all over it seemed just right. After slipping on sandals plus touching up her makeup, she was ready to go.
It would’ve taken an hour to get ready for a big date, even just back in Shreveport. But here, natural beauty ruled and the only people who overdid makeup were the few drag queens she’d spotted in one of the bars.
The knock on the front door sparked excitement in Zoe. She wanted to run to answer, but she walked calmly. She dabbed a little perfume on her neck and grabbed her purse before opening the door.
Cam and Don stood there. “Come on. You don’t want to miss your first fall festival.”
She kissed them each on the cheek and locked up the house. Sliding into the backseat of their SUV, she hugged Owen and leaned over to kiss Jar. They all made her feel special, and it wouldn’t be the same without them.
“Thanks for taking me out. It gets a little dull here.”
“We can keep you out late. They’re showing
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
on the side of the old barn tonight,” Don said.
“The latest and greatest.” Zoe chuckled.
“It’s free and something to do. Of course, we can keep you busy at our place all night with some very X-rated fun. We can start now if you’d rather ditch the fest.” Cam started the SUV.
Jar frowned. “No, let’s be social. It’s not like all we want is sex.”
“I know. I texted you guys to get out not to get naked.” Zoe smiled. Sex alone wasn’t enough. She liked these guys. Normally, she could find the flaws quickly in the men she dated, which accounted for her turnover. Her instincts for what customers wanted translated to men, and so far, these men were great. The fear that she’d screw up something good started to spread, but Owen wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and the chill went away for now. They could be friends.
“We’ll show you the best of the fest and then take you home for a quiet night of movies on the couch. I don’t like the lack of connection either, so I’ve got the best cable package and streaming options,” Owen said.
“Movie geek,” Don teased.
Owen nodded. “And proud of it. This place needs a movie theater and maybe a strip mall.”
“Outlet mall,” Zoe suggested. “Shopping online is fine, but sometimes, it’s just nice to stroll and to try things on before you buy them.”
“You can’t stroll around Main Street?” Cam asked.
“It’s not the same. People want to talk to you.” Zoe shook her head.
Owen chuckled. “True. In a mall, people ignore you. Here, it’s like everyone needs to know you and take an interest.”
“The horror.” Don laughed.
“It is weird. Almost like my parents’ church. The people there are just
too
nice. It’s fake.” Jar looked out the window. “It’s not fake here. It’s normal.”
Zoe caught Cam and Don exchanging looks in the front seat. They were concerned, and she’d never meant to come down negatively on the town. “I love the quiet and the friendly people. I do miss more events though. I mean, something more than a movie or bingo night.”
“Like what?” Don asked.
“Having a movie theater with new stuff would be great. A wine tasting. An opening of a club or a play. An art showing. Something special now and then.” Zoe sighed.
“Well, maybe you should set something up?” Jar suggested.
Cam parked the SUV, and they piled out. Main Street was exceptionally crowded today.
The tons of cars and people looked odd, but to Zoe, it was a pleasant change. “Me? I don’t know Lucky Spring well enough to plan stuff like that. Who knows what people would like? They like festivals.”
“Try talking to them more often, and maybe, you’ll find out?” Don suggested.
“Yeah, you’re in marketing. Figure out what Lucky Springs wants and make it happen.” Cam led the way to the first food stall and bought a bucket of Cajun pops, whatever they were. Everyone dug in. Zoe tried the spicy, breaded concoction and approved.
“I don’t have a budget. At work, I have money to spend. How do I put on an event with nothing?” Zoe wanted to change the subject, but she’d bitched about the lack of options. Giving up and doing nothing would be like accepting defeat.
“I’m sure local artists or whatever would donate their time and help you out. That’s the fun part of a small town. People don’t always expect a payout. They might ask you for a favor down the line, but they’re happy to help.” Don led the way as they turned off Main Street to the big town park and field area.
Tents and games went on for blocks behind Main Street. The fest was huge!
Her mind whirled on event options as she studied the signs. She and the guys walked along and chatted with people. Zoe couldn’t believe the number of names she remembered. Everyone who stopped knew hers, as well. Kids ran by with stout ice cream cones, and her stomach grumbled to indulge in the food.
“Grab us a table, and we’ll get a sampling of the local foods. People come from surrounding towns to sell their goodies, so it’s a change from the usual if nothing else.” Cam winked at her and pointed to a big tent with nothing but picnic tables where people were eating.
Zoe headed into the grassy area, glad she’d worn practical shoes. Claiming a free table without anything sticky on it, she caught a glimpse of her three best friends with four men a few tables away. Lizzie waved her over, and Zoe nodded. Lizzie stood up on the bench, the little Cajun pixie had no subtly as she craned her neck. She must’ve spotted the guys because she hopped down and rushed over.
“Nice! So glad you came even if you’re shunning us for hot men.” She sipped what looked like mini keg full of sweet tea with extra lemons floating in it.
“You’ve seen those men before. And I’m not shunning you. I just got bored at home. There was nothing from my headhunter. I was hoping for job prospects. Plus I wasn’t into the TV marathon I’d planned.” Zoe shrugged.
“I meant that it’s nice you’re going out with them. It’s not a secret, but going public and all… This is the perfect place! I’ll leave you guys alone.” Lizzie smiled widely and dashed back to the other table.
Zoe watched as everyone leaned in to listen to Lizzie. There was no doubt about the topic. Crystal glanced back with a grin, and Zoe wanted to crawl under the table. One man was normal; she had four. No one was judging or criticizing, but they thought it was more than just a casual relationship. What an odd judgment. She looked around and got nods and smiles from people in the town. It knotted her stomach.
Making a public statement about her relationship status hadn’t been the plan at all. Major mistake and now it was too late!
The guys came loaded with food, and Don had five mini keg drinks in his arms. All she saw was sweet tea and held onto that mistake. They didn’t know her as well as they thought.
He set them down and handed the teas to Cam, Owen and set one before himself. Then she spotted the Diet Cokes. One for her and one for Jar. Damn! They did know her well.
“Thanks. I might explode.” She tried to sound normal.
“We’re eating, too.” Cam popped a fried vegetable covered in ranch sauce into his mouth.
“Healthy.” She grabbed a Cajun spiced fry and stuffed it in her mouth. Suddenly, her stress level dropped a bit.
“We only eat like this during fests. And we’ll work it off later.” Owen slid a box labeled chicken poppers in front of her.
She tried one and grabbed another. The sweet and sour sauce with it perfectly tempered the spicy seasoning. “It’s great.”
“You okay?” Don asked.
She shivered and said the opposite of what was in her mind. “Fine. Just felt weird being at a big table alone.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t ever leave you alone for long.” Cam handed her some napkins.
“Thanks.” She glanced at Jar. He seemed totally at ease. Of course, he’d been hanging with these three men for over a month. Groups of men spending time together were nothing new. The factory had brought in plenty of men. Today, Zoe didn’t feel men in general looking at her as much.
Like it or not, she’d been claimed, and now, all of Lucky Springs knew who she slept with. The other men seemed to respect it like an old-fashioned code of chivalry. She belonged to these men now.
“Not hungry, Zoe? Don’t be shy.” Owen nudged a plate closer to her.