Page 49 of Rocky Mountain Devil

Jesse chuckled. “Sure, since you’re not going to win.”

“Get your wallet out.” She stepped closer to Rafe, easing against him as she checked out the gathering. Then she turned back and named them without a second glance. “Travis, Ashley and Cassidy at the pool table with Melody. The Whiskey Creek girls are holding court at the end of the table beyond Trevor and Becky. Steve and Lee are straight behind us, and an empty chair, which means Rachel’s probably in the bathroom.”

Jesse didn’t seem annoyed that she’d rattled them off so easily. He turned to Rafe. “I thought Becky might throw her.”

“Librarian, remember? We met more than a few times this summer,” Laurel admitted.

“And the rest?”

“How long have you lived in this town, Jesse Coleman?” Laurel demanded. “Oh, right. All your life, kind of like me.”

“You were gone for a few years.”

“And now I’m back.” She shrugged. “It’s pretty easy to get caught up, between the library and the prayer list at church.”

“Where I’m sure Jesse’s name appears on a regular basis,” Rafe taunted.

She laughed, but didn’t admit or deny anything.

“I figured you could do it.” Jesse offered a wink. “I just wanted to push Rafe’s buttons.”

Rafe rolled his eyes. “Come on, Sitko. Since it’s on Jesse, we’d better start drinking.” He smacked Jesse with his shoulder as he stepped past him, sending his cousin stumbling back.

His grip on Laurel’s fingers demanded she join him, and she followed along, giggling softly. Jesse might’ve been teasing, but Rafe wasn’t taking any chances.

He pulled out a chair for her next to Trevor and Becky, and she sat, offering them both a smile.

Trevor stared at Rafe, his expression somewhere between disgust and admiration. “So. You’re not interested in trying to date Laurel because she’sforbidden fruit. She wouldneverlook at someone like you because you don’t travel in the same circles…or what was your bullshit excuse?”

Rafe shrugged. “Not my fault you’re gullible.”

Laurel took pity on Trevor. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t go out with him for over fifteen years.”

“I never asked,” Rafe pointed out.

“You were my best friend. Dating you would have been creepy.”

The spot across the table from them was filled as Jesse joined them. “Once you get bored of him, you can take me as an upgrade.”

“I’m younger, better looking, and I already know her ticklish spots,” Rafe said. “Upgrade? No chance, old man.”

Jesse leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head and grinning easily. “You keep telling yourself that. You know I hold back on the charm because if I didn’t, none of the rest of you would even have a chance.”

Becky leaned in close to whisper in Laurel’s ear. “Trevor tells me he’s okay, but Jesse kind of scares me.”

Laurel snuck her hand under the table and caught Becky’s fingers in a reassuring squeeze. “Picture him as a big puppy with a lot of tail wag and enthusiasm. Absolutely certain everybody loves him.”

“Because everybody does.”

His comment jerked their attention back across the table to where Jesse was leaning forward on one elbow, chin propped up on his fist, listening to their conversation.

“What?” he drawled. “You shouldn’t talk in front of a man if you don’t want him to know you’re admiring him.”

Laurel snorted then pretended not to have heard him, speaking to Becky as if they were alone. “I’m sure you know how to deal with a puppy that gets too eager…”

“Pet them?” he suggested.

“…a firmly rolled-up newspaper,” Laurel offered, and Becky finally smiled.