Page 78 of Wild As Her

“Ah yes, the holy trifecta of emotional breakdowns.”

We clink bottles and take a long drink. The Black Dog is busy tonight; low music, clinking glasses, that cozy hum of small-town people settling in. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and no one could mind their business if their life depended on it. Tonight, it's busier than usual, with more tourists coming through with the show filming. People stop by to see if they can glimpse any filming or find out any gossip.

Ollie gives me a side glance. “Avoiding my sister tonight?”

I hesitate and stare down at my beer. I don’t like seeing her with Beau.

He smirks. “Ah. That’s a no.”

“Things were weird earlier.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Weird like… romantic tension? Or weird like she almost set you on fire?”

“A little column A, little column B.” I shrug.

Ollie takes a swig of his beer and laughs. “I heard that you called him ‘Gluten Hercules.’”

“He flexed while kneading dough, Ollie. Heknewwhat he was doing.”

“So, how’s it been going with you staying at Wilder Ranch in the barn?”

I groan. “I've been sleeping in your old room. On thefloor.In a sleeping bag.”

Ollie winces. “Ooof. Sure you don’t want to stay at the barn? The hay bales up there are probably softer. Cami's less likely to kill you in the barn. The dog might even protect you.”

“I’d rather take my chances and sleep on the floor. And the dog does sleep with me.”

He barks out a laugh. “Well, now you're just punishing yourself. I can help you move a bed from the lodge over."

“That would be great,” I add, dropping my voice. “I still don’t trust Granger or Jace. They've beentooquiet.”

Ollie’s grin fades slightly. “Yeah, I heard Jace picked up some job out in Casper. Ranch work or construction or something.”

I raise an eyebrow and sigh with relief. “Good riddance.”

“Still doesn’t mean Granger’s not planning something. You’re right—they’re too petty to just let it go.”

I nod, but my attention shifts as a crowd comes through the front doors.And in walks chaos.

Cami, laughing at something Poppy says, hair in a messy braid that makes her look too damn cute for her own good. Jenna trailing behind, already scanning the bar and waving at someone. And Beau—towering, annoyingly tall, walks in behind them. And all the contestants came filing inbehind them.

I immediately grumble and glare.

Ollie follows my line of sight and snorts into his beer. “Dude.”

“What?” I exclaim.

“You’re burning holes in him again with your laser eyeballs.”

“I am not.” I object.

“You’re one eye-twitch away from a full-blown aneurysm,” Ollie says with a grimace.

Cami looks over, spots me, and raises her eyebrows likeoh, you exist.

I raised my beer and gave her a half-assed nod.Smooth, Jessop. Real cool.

“She’s gonna figure it out eventually,” Ollie says, watching me like I’m a live soap opera. “Everybody knows it but her, man.”

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