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Katie smiled but guilt pinched hard. Because even though she hadn’t actually cheated on Gavin, her mind had already gone places that made her unfaithful.
24
The Trailhead Bar and Grill buzzed with conversation and excitement tonight. Silverware clinked and clattered against plates, and the scent of grilling burgers made Katie’s stomach growl. Music pumped through the speakers, but a local band was almost finished setting up. They were playing to a packed house tonight.
Gavin leaned over the four-top. “Know what you want yet?”
“It’s definitely the campfire burger for me.”
Gavin glanced around for their server, but she was scurrying back to the kitchen as fast as her legs would carry her.
“They’re understaffed tonight,” Gavin said. “But that’s okay. We’ll be here awhile. Let’s get an appetizer. I’m starving.”
“Sounds good.”
Gavin waved at someone across the room. The Robinsons seemed to know everyone. Since she’d started dating Gavin she met so many people, and she loved feeling like part of the community. It seemed when you were accepted by the Robinsons, everyone else accepted you too.
More people flooded into the restaurant’s foyer. It was already standing room only, and the band hadn’t even started yet.
“Seems like half the town turned out tonight,” she called across the table.
“Silver Spurs is a favorite. They always draw a crowd. What’s Avery doing tonight?”
“I don’t know. Probably getting some paperwork done.”
“She never goes out anymore. She used to love this band.”
“She’s busy with the clinic and campaign,” Katie said even though she had the same concerns about her friend. Especially now that she knew more of Avery’s struggles.
“We should set her up with someone. I’m worried about her. When she’s not working or campaigning she holes up in her apartment. And as far as I know she hasn’t had a boyfriend since college.”
Katie gave him a pointed look. “Not that she needs a boyfriend to be happy.”
“Of course not.” He winked at her. “But having someone you care about sure doesn’t hurt.”
“Fair enough. But Avery doesn’t seem interested in dating right now. She’s busy building her business.”
“She could do both at once.”
“You know your sister... She’s focused and driven.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Gavin glanced around the room. “I don’t see our server anywhere. I’m going to run up to the bar and grab us some drinks.”
Katie watched him weave through the tables, then glanced around the packed restaurant, the busy bar, and the teeming lobby. Her eyes doubled back to a familiar face in the crowd.
Cooper. And right at his side—because the universe just couldn’t resist sending happy little surprises her way—was Amber Clarke.
***
This night was not going his way. Cooper frowned at the crowd in the lobby. It would be at least an hour before he and Amber got a table—if that, since everyone would hang around for the band. He couldn’t even locate the hostess to put their name in.
And something was going on with his date tonight. Amber had seemed distant since he picked her up fifteen minutes ago. He asked if she was okay, and she said she was “fine.” On the way over he tried to make small talk, tried to draw her out. But all he knew so far was that she wasn’t “fine” and that he had no clue what the problem was.
“Coop!” a voice called out.
He spotted his brother several feet away in the queue at the bar and inched closer, Amber in tow.
Gavin greeted them and turned back to Cooper, all but shouting over the music. “You guys staying?”
