Page 55 of The One With the Mountain Man

I'd called in the big guns. Cowboy hat, boots, and a fresh t-shirt, never worn before. Marley melted when she saw me climb out of my truck. I was already strategizing how many different ways I could get that reaction from her again and again.

"Finally!" Scottie said as he rushed over, pulling a reserved sign off the only empty booth I could see. "Welcome to Still Standing. I'm Scottie. It's nice to meet you, Marley."

She shook his hand. "I've heard only good things about you."

He rolled his eyes my way. "Give it time. Our secrets always come out. This town loves to gossip."

"I can't tell her any of your stories," I laughed. "Because I'm in them too."

"True enough. Two burger specials?"

"Sounds good to me. Marley?"

She nodded. "Whatever is good."

"I test everything on the book club first, so everything is good. Take a seat and I'll get you some beers."

I waited for Marley to slide into the U-shaped booth first, then I joined her as close as I thought was practical without starting a ruckus.

"You're sure about this?" Marley asked for the third time.

"I'm sure. It's not like I'm going to stick my tongue down your throat in front of everyone."

"No... but we're out on a Friday night together. I thought we were keeping this quiet."

Scottie put two beers and two waters on our table and was gone, too busy for small talk. "Everyone already knows there'ssomethinggoing on. And you know I can't lie to save my life. I'd rather live our lives and let them speculate. I want you to meet my friends, see my town, and if that involves fending off my family and the town busybodies, then so be it." Honestly, I didn't want to hide it at all. I wanted everyone to know Marley was mine. "Besides, I think punching Travis blew our cover."

She winced. "Everyone knows about that?"

"Yep."

"Oh."

"Small towns." I took her hand, threading our fingers together. "Unless you don't want this?"

Her eyes darted up and locked with mine. "I only wanted to keep complications out of your life."

"And I told you," I brought her knuckles to my lips, brushing kisses against her skin, "I want your complications." Fuck, I loved the way she blushed for me. I ate it up as much as each of her smiles.

"If you're sure."

"I am."

She settled against me without the tension and took it all in. We were sitting in Scottie's remodeled half of the bar. It was all swanky booths and reclaimed wood tables. The bar had a curated selection of whiskey and bourbon. The other half of the bar looked almost the same as it always had, but cleaner and with new pool tables. The band was tucked into the far corner and a makeshift dance floor had a handful of couples swaying or twirling.

"Does Annie at The Green Door get upset that Scottie serves food here?"

My finger played with one of her errant curls. When did I start giving a fuck about hair? When I started fantasizing about how it would feel on my skin or in my hands, that's when. "Nope. That's Annie right there." I nodded to the redhead at the bar. "She closes up early and enjoys the night out, too. Scottie's menu is his pride and joy. He has some basic bar food that is always available, and then he rotates a special dish for the weekends. I guess this weekend is a burger."

"I can only assume it's going to be unique and very delicious then."

Sure enough, Scottie delivered what would probably be an expensive gourmet burger in the city, except we were here in Lost Creek, and he probably didn't charge nearly what he should for it.

"Bison on a buttered brioche bun with blue cheese, caramelized onions, secret sauce, and my homemade pickle on the side. Enjoy," Scottie said with the closest he ever got to a smile.

My mouth watered.

"This looks amazing, Scottie!" Marley gushed.

---