They’d just spent an entire weekend snowmobiling and camping in the freakin’ snow since Bosco had returned—he hadn’t even unpacked yet. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there in an hour.” He clicked off and studied the pretty woman. “My brother and a bunch of buddies are partying down at a bar near the water. Want to see a little of the area?”
She blinked. “Ah, well.”
He laughed. “I’m not asking you out, Marlie. Just seeing if you want to meet some folks and see a nice local bar.”
“Why aren’t you asking me out?” She tilted her head to the side, studying him.
The directness threw him. “I don’t date. Not with my job and not right now—and I learned that the hard way.” His schedule was hectic and last-minute oftentimes, and a woman deserved more than that from him. Another lesson he’d learned the hard way. He scrubbed a hand through his shaggy hair, which was still a little damp from his shower earlier. “I’m all-in with friends with benefits, though.” Nonna would so kick his ass for saying that, but he had to be honest.
A fine pink blush wandered across Marlie’s pretty face. “I appreciate the honesty. So, yes, I’d like to meet some people and check out a local bar. No, I don’t want to be friends with benefits. Finally, yes, I’d like to be friends.” She looked at the cooling casserole. “Do we have time to eat first?”
“Definitely.” His chest ached just enough to tick him off. His instincts, so sharply honed in the field, whispered that he was a moron. “I’ll grab napkins.”
Chapter2
The Clumsy Penguin was a dive bar on a twisty lake road with worn wood, uneven floors, and wide windows overlooking the freezing-cold water. Christmas lights sparkled around every window while hard rock played through the speakers. It was, in a word, perfect—and surprisingly busy for a Monday night.
Marlie aimed a dart and threw, hitting the second ring of a seven.
“You’re getting better,” Bosco said, topping off her beer mug. The huge, thick, real glass kind still frozen from the freezer.
“Maybe.” She sat on a black bar stool and leaned against the wall. “I haven’t hit anything I’ve aimed at once, but I’m having fun.” She’d never really spent much time playing darts.
A cute blond guy, probably in his early thirties, winked at her from near the bar. She smiled.
Bosco cut him a look, and the blond glanced away.
“We’re just friends,” Marlie muttered. “Remember?”
Bosco handed her another dart.
Rory lifted a round table from across the bar and carried it easily through a throng of partygoers to place it near them. He was as tall as Bosco with lighter brown hair, pure blue eyes, and as much scruff on his face as Bosco. There was no doubt they were brothers. The Albertini family had some seriously hot and rugged genes. “I ordered wings and potato skins,” he said, depositing the table.
Marlie grinned and looked across the room. “Was anybody else using that table?” There were still two half-full beer glasses on it.
“Yeah, but I saved one of their asses when they got caught on a mountain last week. I work with search and rescue when I’m home.” Rory shrugged. “Plus, food trumps beer. They can hold their beers if they come find them.”
Bosco rolled his eyes and threw a dart, getting another bull’s-eye. “I just got back to town and am not getting in a bar fight.” He looked over his shoulder, scouting the room as if looking for threats.
Why did Marlie get the feeling she hadn’t heard his entire pedigree when it came to his job? Not that it was any of her business.
Rory lifted his phone to his ear. “Quint? Get over the pass for the night. Bos is home, and we’re playing.” He shook his head. “Fine. Old man.” He ended the call.
Bosco barked out a laugh. “You did not just call Quint old. Remember when he dug us both out of an avalanche with his bare hands? He was what? Fifteen?”
Rory grinned, showing what most definitely should be termed the Albertini dimple in his left cheek. Bosco had one, as well. “Yeah, but he’s all domesticated now. The family bet is that he’ll propose on Valentine’s Day and get married in June.”
Bosco sobered. “Quint hasn’t had the best luck with women.”
Rory waved him off. “He does now. Seriously. Her name is Heather, and you’re going to freakin’ love her. She’s a sweetheart, and she adores him.”
“Is he going to retire from the forest service and do something else, then?” Bosco asked, his brow still furrowed.
Marlie leaned forward. Being an only child, this interaction between brothers was fascinating.
“No.” Rory waved toward the waitress, who immediately brought over another pitcher of beer before scooting down to pick up empties from another table. “She’s totally fine with his job and doesn’t want him to change for her. I’m tellin’ you, he hit the mother lode. And while she’s going to be our sister soon, I think it’s okay to say right now that she’s hot as fuck. Totally curvy.”
“It is not okay to say that your future sister-in-law is hot as fuck.” Bosco snorted. “You’re such an ass.”
