Thirty and Single.

Chapter 5.

A couple of days had passed, and something strange had started happening.

Colton and I were getting close, really close.

Every evening after work, I found myself either at his porch or he'd show up at mine, a casual knock on the door and a six-pack in hand. We'd talk for hours, share meals, laugh until our sides hurt. But for all the time we spent together, there was still this invisible wall, he rarely spoke about himself. Whenever I tried to ask, he'd deflect with humour or a clever change of subject.

Still, I had managed to get a glimpse of his world.

A few days ago, he showed me his photography. Real photography not your standard wedding shots or tourist snaps. His work had soul. His portraits captured people like they were spilling secrets through their eyes. The angles, the tones, the silent intensity, it was raw, and beautiful. He was beautiful.

We'd grown so close that I'd started telling him about my endless string of failed dates. One night, I told him I'd been on more than twenty.

He'd choked on his beer.

"Twenty?! Genesis! Either you've got terrible luck or you're too damn picky."

I laughed, but maybe he was right. Maybe I was too picky. Or maybe I was just waiting for someone who felt right.

Like Colton.

That Friday, the hours at work crawled by. I couldn't wait to see him. I checked the clock again. Five minutes to go. I started packing my things, trying not to look too eager, when Brooklyn glanced up from her desk.

"Hey, what's the rush?"

I fumbled for a response. "Um... I'm going to the gym."

Why did I lie? I never go to the gym.

Brooklyn raised a brow. "Didn't know you were a gym rat. Good luck, then."

"Thanks," I said, flashing her a guilty smile and heading out.

The whole drive home, I imagined sitting on Colton's porch, beer in hand, feet up, swapping stories and maybe, maybe, asking him one more personal question he wouldn't dodge.

But when I pulled into the lot, my heart sank.

Colton was already on his porch.

And he wasn't alone.

A woman sat beside him, legs crossed, laughing, hair cascading over her shoulders like a shampoo commercial. She had the kind of easy beauty that didn't need effort, perfect posture, long lashes, and a mouth that curved like it always knew what to say.

They clinked beer bottles together and she laughed again, leaning slightly into him.

I froze behind the wheel.

Jealousy. It was sharp and sudden and ugly, and I hated that I felt it.

Was this a regular thing for him? Does he just invite women over like he does with me?

I took a long breath and stepped out of the car, trying to ignore the knot in my chest. Maybe if I walked fast enough, I could slip into my house unnoticed.

"Hey, Genesis!" Colton called out. "Come join us!"

I hesitated, halfway to my door. My gut told me to say no. But then he smiled at me, and all logic fell apart.

"Uh... sure. Let me change into something comfortable," I said, forcing a casual tone.

Inside, I paced for a moment before finally throwing on sweatpants and a tank top. I tied my hair up and told myself not to act weird.