Page 8 of Mountain Beast

“Probably too many to count,” I snark before taking a sip of my margarita. Damn, that’s delicious. If only I had a man half as sweet and just as strong. Maybe he’d help relieve me of all this… pressure I’ve been feeling lately.

“Come on.” Davie bumps her shoulder against mine. “He’s not that bad. Cormac wouldn’t put up with a complete asshole, and they’ve been friends forever. There must be something redeemable in there; he just keeps it hidden. Like a protective mechanism.”

“Davie, sweet Davie,” I sing-song, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. It’s a little awkward since we’re the same height, but we make it work. “So optimistic. So nice. Let me tell you where nice gets you.”

“Oh, lord, here we go again. How many margaritas have you had tonight?”

My flapping hand holds up two fingers. “Don’t distract me. I’m not drunk. I’m just warning you. From one good girl to another.”

“Does that title still apply when I married my sister’s baby daddy? Seems a bit hellion-ish to me,” she jokes, and she may have a point, but whatever. I’m set on my course now.

“Listen to Big Sister Autumn…”

“You realize I’m the eldest sister to Jessica, right? I already know the spiel about our plot in life. Always responsible, always⁠—”

“Shh!” I cover her mouth with my palm, which is slightly sweaty. Fuck, it’s hot in here. “Don’t steal my thunder. As your honorary older sister, it’s up to me to impart my wisdom. You must avoid my mistakes at all cost!”

Sighing, Davie finally gives in and plops into her hightop chair.

With a swish of her hand to indicate I can start, I launch into The Evils of Being a Good Girl©, ️while the idea for a new list forms: The Benefits of Being a Bad Girl (copyright pending).

The more I expound on how being a good girl has gotten me nowhere fast, the more being bad begins to appeal.

My parents wouldn’t approve.

My ex-husband wouldn’t approve.

And suddenly, becoming a bad girl doesn’t seem so wrong…

CHAPTER FIVE

BRIGGS

“Davie says you ran into Dr. Landish,” Cormac says, gently bouncing Jesse on his knee while we wait for our lunch to be delivered at Fancy’s Diner. It’s rare for us to meet for lunch, since Cormac is always busy with ranchwork, but he’s been making an effort to cut back now that he has a family.

Guess that’s one point in Davie’s favor—getting Cormac to relax after decades of being a workaholic.

“Did she now?” I don’t know why the thought of Autumn sharing our encounter with Davie makes my chest tighten. Or causes my lungs to stutter over my next breath.

So, the curvy doctor felt the need to talk about me with her friend.

Big fucking deal.

A diner worker drops off two baskets filled with fries and our sandwiches before hurrying back behind the busy counter. The lunch rush is in full swing this afternoon with practically every booth and table taken.

Unfortunately, the noisy chatter of customers doesn’t deter Cormac from his quest for answers.

“Yeah, she did. Apparently, you were kind of an asshole.”

My mouth twists in amusement. “What else is new?”

“Drop the bullshit act,” he says, and immediately, my gaze drops to the baby in his lap, brows raised in mock admonishment.

Cormac snorts. “He’s too young to understand curse words.”

Jesse babbles a few nonsensical sounds as if to confirm his dad’s summation.

“Look, the doctor showed up at my rage park and seemed…” I pause for a bite, using the delay to search for the right descriptor. Pretty as fuck? Strong as a valkyrie? “Overly enthusiastic.”