Page 32 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

Needing a moment to regroup, Sutton hopped out of the pool and made her way to the food table. Skin pruned, hair dripping, she was waterlogged in every sense of the word, struggling to stay afloat emotionally, while mentally treading water.

She had no idea what she thought she’d feel today. Maybe reassurance of some kind? But instead, her confidence in her decision to come to Bridlewood was slipping.

Three men had come onto her in the pool, which in theory should have been flattering. Harry, the local barber who looked like he could have trimmed Jesus’s beard. Kal, a single dad from Lynlee’s school. And Aiden, the sexy and grounded one, who was marriage material wrapped in a dangerous smile and ran the local animal shelter.

Three perfectly nice men. Zero interest. If she were keeping a scoreboard—and at this point, why not—it read: Nice Men, zero. One Aggravating Veterinarian with a delectable ass, currently winning by a landslide he didn't even know he was in.

None of them had done it for her. No zing, no butterflies and not a single flutter of the lashes. Then she’d caught Colter staring at her and, well, let’s say, it did something to her. A hot and carnal something that she refused to give even a moment’s thought. And then thought about it for thirty seconds anyway.

But the moment was short-lived because as soon as he realized it was her, he’d stopped so abruptly she glanced down, half-convinced she’d forgotten something crucial—like her swimsuit.

False alarm.

She was wearing her single mom shield today, which at the time her light-yellow suit had felt like a smart choice. But after bobbing up and down in a cool pool, her nipples made the fabric look like tissue paper.

With a sigh, she attacked the nine-layer dip like it was her nine-to-five. She was fairly certain that the caloric intake in that dip equaled an entire week’s worth of points. Good thing being surrounded by family who didn't know she was family meant the calories didn't count.

“Parker told me about Lynlee’s party. Thanks for the invite,” Parker’s mom said, walking up to the table right as Sutton crammed a handful of chips into her mouth.

“You’re welcome,” Sutton mumbled over crumbs. “Can Parker come?”

“I need to double check the calendar, but I don’t see why not. We haven’t formally met, I’m Cheryl.”

The woman took Sutton’s hand for a shake, only when Sutton pulled back she left enough salt for a bag of chips behind on the poor woman’s hand. “Sorry.”

“No biggie.” Cheryl clapped her hands twice and, like magic, she was back to perfectly coiffed. “How are you liking Bridlewood?”

“It’s just how I imagined living in a quaint, small town would be. Lynlee loves her school. Our neighbor, Ms. Tutty, is a godsend, and I’m starting to settle in at work.”

“That’s right, you work for Doctor Irresistible, right? Any inside hints you can give me to get a leg up on the other single women in town?” Cheryl stopped. “I mean, unless you were invited as a potential date as well.”

“Potential date?”

“It’s ridiculous, really. Vivi invited me here for a day of fun, sun and sexy veterinarians, only she failed to mention that a handful of other women were here for the same reason.”

Men like Colter didn’t exactly struggle for female attention, and Sutton had zero interest in joining the line of women hoping for a wink and a good time. So then what was up with the strange little pinch in her chest that made absolutely no sense whatsoever?

“Oh, I was invited, but not for Colter—I mean Dr. Callahan. But Vivi invited me so I would be forced to mingle with people my own age and have a meal that doesn’t consist of frozen chicken bites shaped like dinosaurs.”

Cheryl laughed. “Being a single mom is rough. Being a single mom looking for a catch in a pond this small is even rougher.”

“Lucky for me, the only thing I’m looking to catch today is some sun and fun.”

“That leaves two single Callahans and four single ladies. I like my odds.”

At that moment, Vivi walked up to the group and Sutton’s chest seized. How much had she heard?

“You found the dip. So good, right?” Vivi picked up a chip and bulldozed right into it. “Almost better than an orgasm.”

“Honey, it’s been so long since I’ve been in the room with a naked man I couldn’t tell you,” Cheryl said and Sutton felt a bond forming. Two single moms, working hard to provide all the happy their kids could want, and kicking ass while doing it.

“The last man I let into my life bolted at the word baby. I won’t make that mistake again. Lynlee’s happiness is too important. Plus, if I wanted something else to take care of, Lynlee’s wish would be a pony.”

“Don’t you ever just get lonely?” Cheryl asked. “Like wish there was someone to help carry the load when it’s hard, and snuggle with a set of strong arms when it’s good?”

“Sometimes. But I’d rather be lonely than let down.”

Vivi’s smile turned soft. “I felt that way too. Then I met a man who changed my idea of what companionship can look like. I was so busy running away from love that it nearly passed me by. Thankfully, Boone is a stubborn ass. For once, it worked in his favor.”