Page 39 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Thanks.” Christopher smiled and thought of Jesse. “Peoplekeep telling me that lately.”

“Because it’s true. If Lash ever goes too far over the edge,I think you could make a decent replacement.”

“Nah.”

“Why not? People would get used to your lack of grizzleeventually.”

Christopher shrugged. He doubted it. He’d never have atender growl like Lash, or a way of standing on the stage like he owned it. OhGod,Lash. He’d almost forgotten what Jesse had toldhim about his name. He fought his chuckle down. He didn’t want Holly pryingintothat. There’d be way too much explaining behindit all.

“Anyway, you can’t getmeoff track.”

Christopher glanced up at her, sipping the last of his soda,and tried to look innocent while frantically trying to think of some way to gether to believe he’d just seen Jesse about his Gran’s necklace andnothing elsehad happened.

“Gareth was there watching you—”

Oh thank God, Gareth again.Hecleared his throat and nodded, relieved and a little curious about what Garethhad been doing watching his show anyway. Was she right? Was he stillinterested?

Don’t even think about it, buddy,Gran said in his head.That man’s a rascal and this Jesseis worth ten of him. And I don’t just mean because he’s rich as sin.

“And he was staring at you like you were the most beautifulthing he’d ever seen in hislife.”

Christopher’s stomach fluttered. “Bullshit, Holls. You’rereading into it. He probably just really liked the song.”

“Nope! He just really likesyou.That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

“Nothing but a fairy tale starring a very dubious hero, myfriend.”

“More prissy private school words, dude. And you’ll neverconvince me that fairy tales don’t come true.”

“Not this one.”

“Why not? You should talk to him again. See if—”

“No, Holls. I’m not interested in someone who can’t beall-in with me or has to be talked ‘round to wanting me. Besides, I—”Christopher stopped short.

“Besides? What? You like being alone?”

“Of course not.” Christopher’s eyes roamed the crowd,thinking of Jesse’s smile and the intense focus he’d demonstrated in bed, thevulnerable revelations about his wife and the weird way he’d taken stock ofChristopher’s house.There’s loneliness layering over it. Ithink that might be you.Yeah, itwashim.And he didn’t want to be lonely anymore. Gareth, for all that the sex had beengood, had left him lonely and hurt. Why would he want to go back for more?

“Wait, you little devil,” Holly said. “Youdidget me off track and I didn’t even know. Oh my God,you have to tell me about Jesse Birch!”

Christopher feigned confusion. “He’s making a necklace forGran. What more do you want to know?”

“Oh hell no. You can’t lie to me. I know you too well forthat. And you’re a terrible liar.”

“Am I?”

Holly looked like she might say more but someone had finallydecided to buy the “Apple Orchard, Baby” hat which featuredtwo lines of Melissa Mundy’s lyrics under a six-inch tree with removable appleson top. As she rang up the blond woman with probably fake tits, Christophertook his leave, calling over his shoulder, “See you later, Holls.”

“I won’t forget, Christopher Ryder! I will force it out ofyou!” she called after him, shaking her head, and then smiling prettily for thecustomer’s money.

Christopher wandered off into the stream of SMD patrons anddecided to look for a present for Gran in one of the gift stores. He planned togo see her on Friday, his day off, and he didn’t like to show up to the nursinghome empty handed. As he walked, he pulled out his phone, embarrassed by hisown compulsion to check if Jesse had texted again.

As he rounded the edge of Smoky Mountain Dream’s Marmaladeand Jam-boree, planning to stop in because he’d remembered how much Gran hadenjoyed the blackberry jam he’d taken her in summer, he glanced up and sawJesse standing at a popcorn booth less than twenty feet away.

Sunglasses didn’t disguise his chin and narrow nose, thelength of his neck, or the confidence of his stance—all of which Christopherhadn’t realized he’d already so thoroughly memorized. Even from a distance,Christopher’s eyes were drawn to his handsome hands and their long, slimfingers.

Jesse scratched at his unshaven cheek, and then shoved hishand into the pocket of his worn jeans. Christopher felt a cool, refreshingrush under his skin, and he took a step forward. Jesse’s name was almost out ofhis mouth when he realized Jesse wasn’t alone. No, he stood there, lookingplenty warm in his jacket, both hands stuffed in his jean pockets now, gazingdown at a girl and a boy who were both talking and gesturing animatedly.