I would only be able to afford their smallest option, a studio with the bedroom and living area combined, and it is quite small, but it’s clean, with fresh paint on the walls and neutral carpeting that looks new. It has a decent amount of closet space and an efficient kitchen, to use Vera’s complimentary term for its compact size.
She gives us a tour of the grounds, too. There’s a pool, a small gym which is really just a few exercise bikes and a TV, a playground, and a couple of community barbecue areas.
As she leads us back to the office, we pass a blond-haired guy wearing a tank top, board shorts, and flip flops, carrying an empty laundry basket. He says hello to Vera and gives Olivia and I a friendly smile and a nod of his head.
“Cute new neighbor,” Olivia says, nudging me with her elbow when we’re barely past him. I turn to shush her and see that Blond Beach Guy is looking back at us, still smiling.
In the office, Vera gives me a property brochure and a folder of paperwork. “If you decide you want the apartment, bring this back in, along with the deposits we discussed,” she says.
I’d already told Vera that I’m not ready to make a decision today, but even without the cute neighbor, I really do like the place.
Olivia and I head back to my car, but when my friend spots a door marked “Laundry” she tugs me inside. Blond Beach Guy is alone in the room, a stack of folded clothes on the table next to him.
“Hi, I’m Olivia, and this is my friend Bianca.”
“Hi, I’m Dave. Nice to meet you.” He continues folding the shirt he was working on, but he gives us more nods and smiles.
“My friend is considering renting an apartment. Do you like it here? Any issues she should know about?”
“Aw, yeah? It’s a pretty nice place. I don’t have any complaints.”
“That’s good to hear. Have you lived here long?” I ask.
“It’s been about a year now. You should definitely move here. The place could use more pretty girls like you around.”
When I give him a smile, I can practically feel Olivia growing giddy beside me. I figure I’d better get her out of here before she asks to name our first baby. “Maybe I’ll see you around,” I say, waving to him as we leave.
When we step outside, Olivia holds up her hand for a high five. “Look at my girl! Talking to a guy. Dare I say, almost flirting?”
“What? You make it sound like I never talked to a guy before.”
“I hate to say it, sweetie, but you usually don’t. He was really cute, though. I don’t blame you.”
Dave was fine, if you like surfer types. I suspect the difference Olivia saw in my reaction to him might have come from my dates with the Evans brothers. Maybe they are helping me to be more open and a little less shy and awkward around men.
It’s hard to imagine dating someone else while I’m still dating Cade, Ryder, Logan, and Knox, though – even though they’re not real dates. I guess I’m still holding out hope for Cade, especially now that he’s single, but if he was interested in me, he probably wouldn’t have agreed to let his brothers date me.
I should let go of my hope of being with Cade, and letting go will be much harder if I continue to go on dates with him. Things are starting to feel complicated with all of the Evans brothers. Maybe I’ve had enough practice dates.
18
Tension in the air
Cade texts me the next afternoon, and darn if my heart doesn’t start beating faster as soon as I see his name.
Cade: Are you free tonight to watch Sherlock? We’ve been waiting to watch more until you’re here.
Part of me is disappointed that he’s not inviting me out on another date, even though I don’t think I should continue going on the dates. Maybe a group TV night will be the perfect time to tell the men that I don’t need any more practice dates. For the sake of our friendship, we need to return to being friends and only doing things that friends do, and the sooner, the better.
When I get to their house, I’m painfully aware of how just a few dates have changed things. It’s almost jarring for me to see all four of the men together in the same room. I can’t help but think of the intimate moments I’ve had with them individually, and it’s … awkward. Just as I worried it would be.
They’re looking at me differently, too. Longer glances, tentative smiles, expressions on their faces that make it clear they’re remembering things too.
The energy between us is completely different than it used to be. There’s more silence, and definitely less joking around, especially between the brothers.