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“I can help with the dogs in the morning,” T.J. added.
“I’m going to take you up on that offer, but not because I’m injured,” she said, welcoming the distraction from her wayward thoughts of Mark. “I need your advice on how to introduce new scents to the puppies. I was thinking about using rags soaked in the different chemicals they will be expected to detect.”
“That’s a good plan,” T.J. said, leaning forward in his chair, wrapping both hands around his beer bottle. “The most important thing is to keep the materials free and clear of your scent. Wear rubber gloves when you’re handling the rags.”
Mark returned and handed her a wineglass. She sipped slowly, trying to take mental notes as T.J. talked. But with Mark sitting close by, her focus splintered. She drew a deep breath, inhaling his familiar masculine smell. Sandalwood, possibly from his aftershave. If she leaned closer, pressing her nose, maybe her lips, to his jaw, tracing the contours as she licked, kissed and breathed him in, then she’d know for certain.
Amy shifted in her chair, nodding to T.J., though she hadn’t heard what he’d said. Her imagination was spiraling out of control. A fake ankle exam didn’t lead to kisses. But there was something about the way he’d touched her—
“Mark!” The loud, shrill call silenced Amy’s internal monologue. She watched as Molly McAdams strutted across the bar, doing her best imitation of a runway walk in her high heels and fitted skirt.
“You’re home!” Molly added.
With the faintest hint of a smile, Mark rose from his chair, allowing Molly to wrap her arms around him, pressing her breasts against his chest.
“Hey there, Molly,” he said.
Molly drew back just enough to look up at Mark’s face as she swept her long, straight black hair over her shoulder with one hand. The fingers on her right hand held tight to Mark’s biceps.
Amy frowned. She had nothing against Molly. They’d never been friends, but Amy always said hello in the grocery store. Still, did Molly have to stand so close to Mark?
“How about a dance?” Molly flashed a wide smile.
“No, thanks.” He glanced down at her. “Promised I’d keep Amy company.”
Molly laughed. “I think T.J. is up for the task.”
“Maybe. But I’m still recovering from the long trip home and need to save my energy to help her out tomorrow.” Mark rocked back on his heels, trying to extricate himself from Molly’s arms.
“A rain check, then.” Molly arched slightly, offering Mark a peek down the front of her low-cut fitted tank. “Don’t be a stranger, Mark. I’m still living on the family farm. And you don’t have to worry about Daddy. We moved him to an assisted-living condo last year and took away his guns. He’s at the retirement community, where I’ve been working for the past few years as the programming director.”
“That’s great, but—”
Molly leaned closer but didn’t bother dropping her voice. “I have the whole house to myself now. My brother moved to San Francisco. Plenty of room to do all those things you wanted to do in high school. We can make as much noise as you want.”
Amy supposed it was wrong to dislike a woman who spent her days planning activities for seniors. But after hearing Molly’s not-so-subtle invitation, it was hard to feel charitable toward her.
“We should save him,” she muttered.
“Mark? He can take care of himself,” T.J. said. “And I’m not so sure he wants to walk away. Hell, I wouldn’t.”
“T.J.,” she said, turning to her brother-in-law. “You can’t be serious.”
He shrugged. “I wouldn’t turn down a chance to make some noise with her.”
Amy blinked and glanced back at Mark. He’d leaned in close to Molly, dropping his voice too low for Amy to overhear his words. But she didn’t miss the color in his cheeks as he stepped back, breaking free from Molly’s hold.
T.J. stood and headed for the bar, offering to buy Amy a second drink, but she declined. More alcohol would not help. It might make the unwelcome spark of jealousy worse. She did not have a claim to Mark, and she never would. But still, seeing him with Molly...
A second later, Mark sank into T.J.’s chair and reclaimed his beer. Amy watched and waited, but he didn’t say a word.
“One of the guys can help me home,” she said. “If you’re heading out.”
Mark raised an eyebrow. “To do all the things I wanted to do in high school?”
She nodded, jealousy bubbling up inside.
He held his beer bottle up to his lips as the band started a familiar country line dance. Out of the corner of her eye, Amy saw T.J. join a woman she didn’t recognize at the bar.
