I suppressed the urge to glare. Were they not even going to hide it? Damn. “Says who?” I asked.
“You turned down Brooke, of all people,” Mark said. “That takes balls.”
I sipped the beer. So, Wren hadn’t warned anyone yet.
“You’re a hot topic around here,” Atticus said. “Watch out for cougars, though.”
It was either the annoyance, or this beer was stronger than I thought, because I had no clue what he was talking about.
“How long are you in town for?” Atticus asked.
“Until I’m done with the coffee shop,” I said. “Then I’m back in Nashville.”
“Damn, you don’t look like you’re from there.” Mark nodded to my hat. “Those usually look fake.”
“This I use for the sun. I hate it in my eyes.” I shook my head. “I did get it from one of those tourist shops, though. I figured I could put it to work, like a real cowboy hat.”
Both men laughed.
“I wear them too,” Atticus said. “My daughter and stepson think I look like a fool, but I think it’s nice to see when a horse is about to kick me. It’s bright here in the summer.”
“Exactly. But for me, it’s either a car about to run me over or some electrical line I’m dealing with.”
“We’re getting some of that stupid Nashville traffic out here.” Mark shook his head. “And I thought Hugh was bad.”
I laughed, but nothing I’d seen here was as bad as the city. “I’m a part of it, considering my wreck this morning.”
“Speaking of that, we were talking about—” Mark began, but stopped. “Wait a second, did Brooke leave?”
We all turned. Lo and behold, the blonde was nowhere to be found.
“I knew it was too peaceful in here,” Atticus said.
“This is why I always get her card.” Mark stepped away to run the card. That was when his jaw dropped and his face went red.
“Is everything okay?” I asked when he returned.
“Got a call to make,” he muttered.
“Did her card decline again?” Atticus asked.
“Yep. And I have a feeling she won’t answer the phone.”
“Don’t tell me you’re calling Grace.”
“I don’t have a choice,” he said with a sigh. “I hate bothering the poor girl, but I can’t leave an open tab.”
“I’ll pay it,” I said immediately.
They both turned to me. I had a feeling Grace cleaned up a lot of Brooke’s messes. I couldn’t sleep with her, but I could do this.
“Seriously?” Mark asked. “You know, doing nice things for Brooke doesn’t go that well.”
“I’m not doing it for Brooke. I’m doing it for Grace.”
Atticus’s brow furrowed. “Are you and her ...”
“She’s the one you’re into!” Mark said.