Sandy - Vested Interest

I had my answer soon enough when the three of them appeared in front of my desk. Their countenances were serious, and they looked upset.

A flicker of fear went through my chest.

“What is it?” I asked. “Bentley? Is he all right?” I had spoken with him not long ago, and he said he was on his way back to the office. Had there been an accident?

Aiden shook his head. “Bent’s fine. He’ll be here in a moment. We need to talk to you.”

I furrowed my brow. “Fine. About?” My gaze fell to Reid’s hand. He was holding his phone, which was nothing new, but what was on the screen explained the intensity of their expressions and the tense set of their shoulders.

My profile on Mature Matchups was on his phone. And the protective, worried faces were exactly what I knew would happen if they discovered it.

“My personal life is not up for discussion,” I stated mildly.

“Sandy.” Aiden bent forward, his voice low. “These sites can be dangerous.”

“Becca checked it out.”

“Becca should have minded her own business,” Reid stated in an uncharacteristic snarl.

I glared at him. “She was trying to be helpful.”

“By hooking you up with a stranger?” Maddox mumbled. “That isn’t you, Sandy.”

I crossed my arms. “I am not hooking up with anyone. I am not on Tinder or any of those other apps that cater to sex for fun. It’s a site that helps mature people find others of similar likes to engage in the pleasure of each other’s company. It’s my life, my decision. You three need to stay out of it.”

They stared at me, and I had to bite back a smile. Given how I found the entire process taxing and couldn’t even bother checking my matches, I had no idea why I was defending my choice—except that it was my choice.

Bentley appeared at my desk, his hair disheveled as if he had run his hands through 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.