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In an awkward-off, who would win? Our table had so many contenders: Tamra, Chase, Ed.

My attention veered from the contest to see who could misunderstand and step in it most uncomfortably to the Knit Wits table, where Ty was just sliding in next to Jeannie. I waited half a beat to see if he’d acknowledge me, but Ty didn’t turn our way.

Disappointed, I returned my focus to our small group, to find Ed asking questions about the upcoming wedding. Tamra hadn’t lost the evil glint in her eye, and I shook my head, trying to signal her. Ed wasn’t for me. Guiltily, I slid one last glance at Ty, catching Jeannie’s eye over his broad shoulders. She gave a little finger wave, and I slid down in my seat.

Too obvious. My interest had been noted, but not by Ty.

It stung, and I couldn’t reconcile the sweet, playful man with the one currently ignoring me. What had I done?Oh, yeah. Been myself. The kiss of death.

The round started, and I patted myself on the back for how easily Ed fit in with our group. He’d started out stiff and unsure, but as the evening wore on, his sense of humor bloomed.

Pete said, “The creature Bigfoot has an alternate name. What is the linguistic derivative of the alternate name?”

“Sasquatch,” Melena answered quickly.

Ed’s grin couldn’t have been more pleased. “But do you know the origin?”

He glanced around at the blank faces in our group, seemingly at ease now that he could contribute. “It’s Salish for ‘wild man.’”

Jimmy hooted. “So, you mean I could have been calling Chase a Sasquatch all this time?”

My lips twitched. “He did used to run kinda feral. Never venturing out of his man cave.” I shifted him a teasing glance. “Hiding from life with unkempt hair.”

Chase held up his hands. “Guilty.” He leaned in, placing a quick kiss at the corner of Tamra’s mouth. “But reformed.”

We won the first round, and I grinned over at Ty’s table when Pete announced our victory.

But he didn’t turn around.

“Brrrr …” Tamra mimed rubbing her arms for warmth. “There’s an arctic chill coming from over there. What did you do to earn the cold shoulder? Does he think you’re here withEd as something more than teammates?”

Any last hope it was all in my head evaporated.

The most Andi thing to do would be to confront him. At his table. In front of his teammates. Leaning into my personality to force a face-off. Clear the air once and for all. He either wanted me, or he didn’t. It was that simple. Pulling back on my natural instincts hadn’t gotten me anywhere with Ty.

Jaw firm, I pushed out of the booth, ready to march over. Like a rabbit sensing imminent destruction, Ty slid out of his booth, heading toward the restrooms.

My eyes narrowed. He couldn’t thwart me that easily. I followed, winding my way through tables, hoping to reach him in the hall, building up a head of steam with every step.

I turned the corner to see him disappearing into the men’s room.

Dammit.

Having a conversation at the urinal didn’t appeal, and I could wait.

Ed slipped out of the bathroom as I tapped my foot impatiently, and I stilled, trying to hide my irritation from him. It wasn’t Ed’s fault Ty was being an ass.

“Thanks again for inviting me tonight,” Ed said, leaning against the wall near me. He pushed his glasses up, the light in his eyes sincere. “I don’t get out much. It’s nice to have people to hang out with, especially when I travel alone.”

I forced a smile. Again, not Ed’s fault that Ty was ignoring me. I’d done my best to head off any drama there. “I’m glad you came too. We’ll have to make it a habit if you come back to town.”

Ty slid through the men’s room door. His glance bounced off of me with Ed, a quick frown taking over his expression as he nodded briefly in acknowledgement before stepping around us.

“Ty, wait.”

Ed glanced between us, then tilted his head toward our table in a silent excusal and strode away to safety with our other teammates.

Ty’s ball cap shadowed most of his features, but not those lips. Still slightly downturned, almost … pouty? What did he have to pout about?