Tessa's expression went carefully neutral. "Nothing. Nothing important." She turned and headed toward a different table, her stride quick.
The booth exploded with barely suppressed laughter.
"OH MY GOD," Hannah whisper-shouted. "That was AMAZING."
"Riley Monroe," Emily said, eyes wide. "I have never been more proud."
Jenna raised her glass. "To Riley. Queen of the territorial kiss."
Riley picked up her drink, taking a long sip like she hadn't just claimed Grant in front of half the town. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Grant couldn't take his eyes off her. She'd done exactly what he'd done to her—used a public kiss to mark territory, to send a message, to show everyone he was taken.
And the best part? She wasn't even trying to hide it.
"You just—" Grant started, then stopped. "In front of everyone."
Riley met his eyes, her expression challenging. "We're dating, aren't we? I'm allowed to kiss my boyfriend."
The word hit him square in the chest.Boyfriend.
"Yeah," Grant managed, his voice rough. "You are."
"Good." Riley's smile turned wicked. "Because Tessa Martin needed to know you're taken."
Hannah leaned forward, grinning. "So. Scale of one to ten, how jealous were you?"
"I wasn't jealous."
"Riley."
"Fine. Maybe an eight."
"Try a twelve," Jenna said.
Riley's cheeks went pink, but she didn't back down. "Okay, fine. I was very jealous. Happy?"
"Thrilled," Hannah said.
Grant couldn't stop staring at Riley. She'd kissed him because she was jealous. Because she wanted everyone—especially Tessa—to know he was hers.
Turnabout was fair play. And Grant had never been happier about anything in his life.
Mike appeared with a dolly. "Grant? Barrels are ready whenever you are."
Grant stood reluctantly. "I should get those loaded."
"See you later?" Riley asked, and there was something in her voice that made his pulse jump.
"Definitely." Grant leaned down, his mouth close to her ear. "That was quite a performance."
Riley's eyes gleamed. "I learned from the best."
Grant smiled and headed for the door, hyperaware of Riley's gaze following him the entire way.
Outside, the cold air hit like a slap. Grant loaded the barrels into his truck bed, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
Riley Monroe had just staked her claim in the middle of Hannigan's Bar.
