Page 98 of Tangled up in You

“Deal.” Mark headed out, the door swinging shut behind him.

Chris had slept damned good the last couple of nights, but this morning his thoughts had returned to Mark’s unusual reaction to the woman at the bar and wondered if he’d end up having to play referee between his guy and the scientist, too.

Mark had never acted jealous before. Ever.

But was it really jealousy?

He replayed his interaction with the woman, the insightful questions she’d asked, and suspected she was a scientist.

And she’d needed to retrieve her ear plugs after she’d winced at the feedback?—

Oh.

He froze, rolling it around in his brain.

Then he chuckled, because his theory would explain it, including Mark’s reaction to her. Not that it mattered, because they’d never see her again.

I’ll bet she’s neurospicy, too.

MARK

It was 1:30 by the time they drove to Gardiner in Mark’s work truck without taking time for Mark to change out of his uniform first. Chris wore jeans and his work boots and a NY Rangers T-shirt under his open flannel shirt. He didn’t require a uniform unless he was leading a tour group or engaged in official, public-facing duties.

“Want to eat lunch here?” Chris asked.

“Let’s eat at home. I want time alone with you before we’re stuck with that scientist.”

“Has she called yet?” Chris asked.

“No. Dr. Fornier-Thomas said we’ll meet her tomorrow morning at her office. Then I can brief her on safety. I don’t need her getting eaten by a damned bear. That might not be good for my career path.”

Chris laughed. “Look at you cracking jokes!” He gently punched Mark in the shoulder. “I’m proud of you!”

Before making the turn north in town, Mark spotted a distinctive car in the public parking area.

A shiny new, dark blue, four-door BMW sedan. The other night at the bar he hadn’t paid attention to the color, just that it was dark.

That can’t be the same car.

He didn’t say anything while Chris read their shopping list to Mark.

Can it?

But his instincts told him to stay alert.

They completed their shopping, waylaid only a couple of times by chatty locals. Once they checked out, Mark was pushing the cart when he nearly ran into a woman who stared at her phone as she walked.

Then he recognized her.

JESSE

Jesse was scanning her shopping list and admittedly not paying attention when she nearly walked into a guy pushing a shopping cart. She pulled up short, ready to apologize, when she realized who he was.

Correction—they.

The guys from the bar.

She stared at them, her pulse pounding. “Are you following me?”

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