us.”
She kissed Don then Owen. Her lips felt more relaxed. “I hope so. There aren’t many options in a small town like this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have a job, but my mother always preferred big cities. More options. More anonymity.”
“You won’t have that here. But Lucky Springs has other advantages.” Don hugged her tight.
“You worked elsewhere after college?” she asked Don.
He nodded. “Sure, I needed to get broader sales experience. That’s the great thing about a small town. When the guys Cam and I knew from high school bought the old factory, they got in touch. They brought in people who knew the town and loved it. Plenty of us had gone away and gotten degrees and other training. They lured us back.”
“We got hired without Lucky Springs connections,” Owen said.
Don smiled. “Sure, now that it’s expanding even more. They wanted people who could handle the small town and not run for the cities after a month or two.”
“I do miss the mall.” She leaned back on Don.
“Don’t worry about shopping. I like you better naked.” Owen kissed her neck.
“You’re not going to run away from Lucky Springs, are you?” Don asked.
Owen’s stomach sank. The question had crossed his mind as well, but he’d never come out and asked it. Leave it to blunt Don to run right into it.
“Not with this sort of entertainment. Great sex and food.” She yawned. “I can always shop online.”
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