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“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I call dibs.”
“Dibs?”
“That’s what I said.”
“On what exactly?”
“I’m getting me a Guardian.”
“Sex on the brain. You’ve got sex on the brain.”
“Well, unlike a certain someone who’s been banging her professor for the last two years…” Barbi lifts two fingers to emphasize her point. “I’ve been solo for the better part of the year.”
“Solo, yes, but you’ve been far from abstinent. Or do I need to remind you about graduation night?”
Her cheeks turn crimson and she pointedly turns away. We tore up the town grad night.
“We’re not talking about grad night.” Even though we’re alone on the sidewalk, Barbi hushes her voice.
“Well, you can have any of the Guardians you want. I’m swearing off men for the time being. They’re too much work.”
“Foxes in the hen house!” Barbi shrieks, throwing her hands over her head and pointing down the block. “I see them.”
Foxes in the hen house? I shake my head. Barbi comes up with some of the weirdest imagery.
My heart races and a chill rushes through me as a black SUV rolls through the intersection a block away. The engine growls like a wild beast, and every nerve in my body stands on end. It’s like the car has a presence; a hum of power radiating from its dark body.
Or maybe that comes from the men inside.
And yes, there are men. Four Guardians. More than enough to go around.
When the SUV pulls up to the curb, all four doors pop open in unison, and four daunting figures step out. Somehow, they occupy the entirety of the space around them. Not just that. They search the streets for threats with deadly glares and hawk-like intensity.
The air around the men crackles with energy. The heat radiating from the hunky men oozes sex appeal. My gaze is drawn to the four Guardians standing tall and proud, their eyes glowing with an inner fire. Jaw-dropping, hot-as-sin, these men are a sight to behold.
As soon as Carmen and Rosalie emerge from the vehicle, Barbi and I rush to our friend and embrace her in a tight hug. Carmen squeezes us back; her relief a palpable thing.
“We’re so glad you’re home.” My voice shakes with emotion.
“I’m glad to be home.” Carmen pulls away and extends her hand to Rosalie. “Barbi, Kaye, I want you to meet Rosalie.”
Rosalie steps close. Barbi and I throw our arms around her, welcoming her into our four-way hug of sisters-by-choice. Our happy tears form a river of love and affection between us. We’re bathed in that moment as the four Guardians watch vigilantly for any signs of danger, ready and willing to defend us at a moment’s notice.
The tearful reunion lingers until Carmen turns to me. “Barbi told me what happened with the professor.” Her voice is heavy with sorrow for what this breakup means to me. “I’m so sorry things didn’t work out.”
I turn to Carmen and the words catch in my throat. I should say something—anything—but the name clinging to the edge of my tongue is the one person I can never mention in this house ever again.
I grasp Rosalie’s hands and give a welcoming squeeze. “You are taking my room.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly. I can stay with Carmen.”
“Nope. It’s been decided. It’s not totally cleared of my stuff, but I’m so happy to finally meet you.” I swallow with a bit of a lump forming in the back of my throat.
What feels like a lifetime ago, this quaint little townhouse was mine. Now, it’s changing hands. Welcoming Rosalie. It will no longer be mine; maybe never be mine again. Barbi and Carmen will stay. Their lives are here. I’m the one whose dreams pull me away.
Change isn’t something I want, but it’s inevitable. Like jumping off a cliff—there’s no turning back. No matter how much it hurts. Nevertheless, it’s something I must do. My heart’s heavy leaving my friends, but I’m excited to be taking this next step toward my lifetime dream.
Movement out of the corner of my eye snags my attention. My gaze latches onto a strange figure slipping through the entrance of the drugstore on the corner. He’s dressed in black, with a hood shielding his face.
