Lucky Number Four by Amanda Jason Page B

fire throughout my nether regions. OMG,
that is so funny and the giggling continues. “I see you didn’t keep
an eye on Dora. Too much wine?” I try to focus on his face, but
it’s not happening.
    “Yep, the light weight had a few too many,”
Liam answers.
    “Hi, I’m Jeff, and maybe I should take Dora
and put her to bed. Come on, sweetie.” Jeff’s face comes into focus
and he gently takes me from Liam’s arms. I snuggle against his
chest. “Say goodnight to your friends, Dora.”
    “Night, my awesomeness friends. Thanks for
the night!” I close my eyes as Jeff moves to my room. The room is
dark and I open my eyes until someone turns on a light. I’m not
feeling too hot, and I welcome the motionless feeling of my bed. My
boots are removed and a sheet is pulled over me, and I feel someone
kiss my forehead.
    “Good night, princess.” I hear Jeff say, and
then silence.

    “Time to rise and shine, sweet Dora.” Jeff’s
cheerful voice makes my ears hurt. No more drinking for me—nope,
never ever. I force one eye open and see his grinning face. He’s
holding a steaming cup of sweet-smelling coffee.
    “What time is it?” I croak. Damn, I sound
like a frog.
    “Time to get up and run. Nothing like a good
run to get rid of the wine toxins. So get your butt up and get
changed. Time is awastin’.”
    I feel a slap on my behind and I turn over
quickly. He’s gone, but the coffee is still there on the night
stand. He’s right. A run would do me good, and I don’t have work
for the next few days, since I took them off to study, so it would
be a good time to start again.
    An hour later, I’m dressed, stretched, and
ready to go. I walk out into the living room and find not one or
two, but all four warm bodies stretching. And you guessed it,
dressed to exercise.
    Please, if you can hear me, God, don’t let
them—I mean, Colin—come with me.
    As if they sense me standing behind them,
they all turn at once. How can my eyes stand looking at so much
male perfection in one room?
    “Hey, guys. Are you ready, Jeff?”
    “Um, we’re going to have some company. The
guys want to tag along,” he says, looking apologetic, as if he can
sense my dismay.
    “Well, I hope you can all keep up,” I say,
trying to act happy about the news.
    I run for the front door, not waiting for a
response. The elevator is standing open, and I dash forward and hit
the button and gleefully watch as the doors shut before they can
reach it.
    “Morning, Dora. Nice day out for a jog.”
Brad’s boyish grin is infectious.
    “Yep, sure is. See you later.” I move
quickly, pushing open the doors, and dive into the bright sunshine.
It’s chilly but bearable, and I take off running for the nearby
park, pacing myself, thankful I’m so far ahead of them.
    The park is full of activity. During fall and
winter, a sunny day is precious, so everyone takes advantage of it.
Moms pushing strollers, dog walkers, bench sitters, and other
runners fill my sight. It energizes me to push forward, upping my
speed. I hear speedy footsteps behind me, and I notice the most
females watching me.
    I know it’s not me, so it’s got to be the
fabulous four hotties on my heels. I feel sudden disgust for my
female sisters. These men are just flesh and bones—okay, so
fever-inspired hotness—but still, only guys with penises.
    There I go with that word again. I’m going
crazy. I’ve never been sex-crazed, but all of a sudden I’m thinking
about penises. I need to find a nice guy and have nice sex. A guy
my mom will approve of.
    Quit it, Dora, just run .
    Sex is overrated, even if it’s with a hottie.
Of course, I don’t know for sure, but one of my mom’s favorite
sayings is: “It’s all fluff with no substance.” That’s what Colin
is. He has to be. I can’t waste time pining after a dream.
    Without any other thought, I pick up my
speed, running so that the people I pass are just blurs.
    I see a fountain up ahead. The water has been
drained in