“Maybe I’m just being thorough,” I defended, even though I’d been caught red-handed.
“Uh-huh…whatever you gotta tell yourself.” Wes smirked and capped his pen. He leaned against the bar, setting his clipboard down.
“I’m telling myself and you the truth.”
As if getting pestered by Wes wasn’t enough, my brother walked into Lake Ridge and waved at Leo before making his way over to Wes and me. Cooper was still in his park ranger uniform, likely coming straight from work. “What’re you two gossiping about?” he asked, pulling out a bar stool to sit.
“Eliza was staring at Leo,” Wes said at the same time I responded, “Nothing.”
I let out a deep sigh and tipped my head back, begging the universe for patience. If this was how my shift started, it would be a long one. And, admittedly, I knew I was a little…on edge. Having to stare at a tattooed chef after weeks without sex would do that to anyone—not just me.
Not that I wanted to have sex with Leo.
I wanted to have sex with anyonebutLeo.
“I wasn’tstaring.” I glared at Wes. “I was seeing if he needed help carrying any of the inventory in.”
“Why didn’t you ask, then?” Wes asked, lookingfartoo amused. “With how many trips he had to make, I’m sure he would’ve appreciated a hand.”
“It was only, like, four trips! You could’ve helped him, too.”
“I was busy doing inventory.” He tapped a knuckle on the clipboard.
“And I was busy cleaning the bar.” I gestured around me. I grabbed an empty glass, filled it up with soda, and set it in front of Cooper. “You’re welcome.” I glared at my brother.
“Thanks.” Cooper grinned. “Only thing I’m missing is some popcorn.” He then narrowed his eyes at me. “Is there something going on between the two of you?” My brother loved to hear the latest gossip as much as Gran and the ladies at knitting club.
“No,” I groaned, annoyed. “There’s nothing going on. Why do people keep thinking that?”
“Maybe because you keep staring at him,” Wes said, not helpingat all.
“There’s nothing going on. He’s Colin’s older brother and doesn’t know many people in town. I’m trying to be friendly.”
“Right.” Cooper nodded. “Colin. Who you never brought around.”
My patience was wearing thin. “Okay, like you’re one to talk.” I turned toward my brother, pinning him with a glare. “When’s the last time you brought a girl to meet Gran? Oh, yeah! Never.”
“There hasn’t been anyone to bring around,” Cooper muttered against his glass before taking a sip.
I rolled my eyes. As if. My brother got so much attentionaround Golden Falls—and the surrounding towns—that women called Lake Ridge to get his number. The Lake Ridge phone line was synonymous with Cooper’s dating options.
“Hey, Cooper. Good to see you,” Leo said as he walked up, stretching his hand out to shake my brother’s. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, you know, just getting shit from my little sister.”
I raised and dropped my hands, letting them hit my thighs. “You started it, and let this be a reminder not to start what you can’t finish, because Iwilldish it back.”
Wes chuckled under his breath, but he wasn’t back on my good side quite yet.
Leo crossed his arms over his chest, the corner of his mouth kicking up. “I believe in my world they say if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
As the guys got caught up in conversation, I continued setting up my station for the night. With each move, it was like I could feel Leo’s eyes on me, but I didn’t dare look his way to confirm.
My attention shifted when Cooper’s phone lit up. I couldn’t read the message but saw that it came from “Ace.”
My eyes narrowed. Ace? No one named Ace lived in town, and I’d never heard Cooper mention a friend with that name. But for some reason it sounded familiar. I was almost certain I’d heard it before, butwhere?
As the guys talked, I pulled out my phone and went to the text thread with Lily and Jules.
