I pulled out my phone to text the strippers, letting them know it was almost showtime, when the door chimed again.
This time, it was him.
Marcus stood in the doorway looking like he’d rather be literally anywhere else. He was in civilian clothes—dark jeans and a cream Henley that hugged his chest in a way that made my mouth go dry. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, and he looked around the room like he was expecting an ambush.
Our eyes met across the diner, and I saw something flash in his expression. Relief, maybe. Or happiness. Something that made my chest feel tight.
He made his way through the small crowd, nodding to the guys as he passed. Logan clapped him on the shoulder. Eli said something that made him crack a small smile. But his eyes kept drifting back to me.
“Sheriff,” I said when he finally reached the bar, keeping my voice carefully neutral. “Glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he said, though the tension in his jaw suggested otherwise. “Lucas is a good friend.”
“He is.” I gestured to the punch bowl. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Just a beer, thanks.” He glanced around the room again, and I could see the nervous energy radiating off him. “So, when does this... entertainment start?”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. He was trying so hard to act casual, but I could see right through it. “Any minute now. You should grab a seat.”
He nodded, taking the beer I handed him and finding a spot near the back of the room. Not too close to the action, but not so far away that it would look suspicious. Classic Marcus, always calculating the optics.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to the strippers.We’re ready when you are.
The response came almost immediately.On our way.
I made my way to the center of the room, clapping my hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright gentlemen—and ladies—the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Please give a warm Sagebrush welcome to our entertainment for the evening!”
The lights dimmed, and music started pumping through the speakers—some club mix with a heavy bass that vibrated through the floor. The door to the back room opened, and the three strippers filed in, already moving to the beat.
The reaction was immediate. Mabel let out a whoop that would’ve made a rodeo crowd proud. Dolly actually fanned herself with a napkin. Logan and Eli were laughing and cheering, while Dustin looked like he might actually combust from embarrassment on the spot. Not that it stopped him from staring with his mouth hanging open.
I glanced back at Marcus. He’d gone completely rigid in his seat, his beer frozen halfway to his lips. His face had drained of color, and I could see his throat convulse as he tried to swallow.
The strippers worked the room like professionals, moving from person to person with practiced ease. The Twink started with Logan, grinding against him while Logan laughed and played along. Daddy made his way to Mabel, who absolutely lost her mind when he pulled her up for a dance. Even Dolly was grinning when the Bear approached her.
I watched it all unfold with satisfaction. This was exactly what Lucas had wanted. It was fun, lighthearted, and there was no pressure. Everyone was having a great time.
Everyone except Marcus.
I saw the Bear finish with Dolly and start making his way toward where Marcus was sitting. The sheriff’s eyes went wide, his whole body tensing like he was preparing to bolt. His knuckles were white around his beer bottle, and I could see the panic starting to set in.
The Bear reached him, starting to move his hips in that practiced, sensual way. Marcus’s face went from pale to bright red in seconds. He stood up so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly against the floor, cutting through the music.
“I—” he started, his voice strangled. “I need to—excuse me.”
And then he was moving, pushing past the Bear and heading straight for the door. The music was loud enough that most people probably didn’t notice his hasty exit, too caught up in the performance. But I’d never taken my eyes off him.
I crossed the room to the Bear, stopping only for a moment. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “He’s just nervous.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, I rushed through the door out into the cool night air after Marcus.
Chapter 16
Marcus
My heart was pounding in my chest so hard that I thought it might burst. My skin was flushed and I felt dizzy. I thought getting out of the diner would help, but the feeling remained. Panic welled up inside me, threatening to burst out.
“Marcus!”
