Summer Love_ A Steamy Small Town Romance Anthology - Piper Rayne Page 0,211

hands down the sides of her jeans. She then reset her sights on the opposite side of the road.

“Interested or not,” she mumbled, “I won’t stand back and watch him get mixed up with the likes of her.”

Chapter Two

Bobby kept his eyes trained on Ashlee even as he sensed Jewel nearing. He’d caught sight of her standing on the other side of the street earlier, and he’d wanted to wave her over. He hadn’t managed to catch up with her since arriving back in town yet. But then Nick Wilde had shown up, and something unexpected spurred to life. Something that had caught him completely off guard.

Jealousy.

For Jewel.

He had zero reason to be jealous of Jewel Jackson talking to another man. But the feeling was even more illogical given the man in question was Nick.

She and Nick had been thick as thieves ever since elementary school. But more importantly, he and Jewel had never been anything other than friends. Nor had it ever crossed his mind that they could be. He’d been in a steady relationship for years. At least, up until a month ago. And even during the many times he and Bria had been “on a break” . . . Well, he couldn’t say that Jewel had entered his mind during those times, either. She’d always just been Jewel.

Yet one look at Nick leaning into her, whispering something only she could hear, and white-hot spears of jealousy had shot through him.

What the heck?

He’d have to give that more thought later on. He was a man who often lived by intuition, and something shouted loud for him to pay attention to this one.

“So, what do you think?” Ashlee held two of his pieces up in front of her, elbows bent, leveling the carvings directly in front of her breasts. “Which one suits me the best? The deer”—she cocked her head to the right—“or the cute little sheep?”

Her lips pouted slightly as she waited for his answer, and he reminded himself that he wasn’t looking to hook up with Ashlee, good-looking as she might be. He wasn’t looking to hook up with anyone. He’d be home for five weeks, then he’d head back to school. That was what he had to focus on. His future.

“Is that sheep wearing wolf’s clothing?” The question came from her left, and Bobby couldn’t help the quick chuckle that slipped out as Jewel sidled up beside Ashlee. She offered an innocent grin to both of them. “Hi, Bobby. Ashlee.”

Ashlee mumbled something that might have been a hello but sounded more like a less-polite greeting. A perturbed look settled onto her face.

“Hey, Jewel.” Bobby’s gaze soaked her in. Brunette hair was pulled to the back of her head. Gray-brown eyes that were trimmed in green twinkled out from a halo of long thick lashes. And there wasn’t a speck of makeup anywhere to be found. She was refreshing and real.

She was the complete opposite of Bria.

“I think I’ll take them both,” Ashlee announced, speaking loud enough to capture the attention of customers from the next booth over. She clearly didn’t like the focus not being on her, so she’d taken it back. She handed the carvings and a debit card over with a beaming smile before turning to Jewel and crossing her arms under her breasts. The move lifted her assets, causing her shirt to gape even more, while her eyes narrowed the tiniest amount. The smile remained on her face. “How’s the bull business, Jewel?”

Bobby’s brows hiked as he rang up the purchases, but he didn’t say anything. Derision rang from Ashlee’s tone. Either she was unimpressed with Jewel’s career choice or she didn’t care for bulls. Or both. Or maybe she simply disliked Jewel that much.

Didn’t matter. None of those options would earn another glance from him, even if he’d wanted to give her one.

“The bull business is terrific,” Jewel replied. “So far, we’re on track to have the greatest season the Double B has seen in years, and I can only see that continuing. How’s Mateo?”

The abrupt question had Ashlee taking a half step back and her smile—and arms—dropping. A pink flush crept across her cheeks, and she glanced at Bobby before answering. “Mateo is fine.” The last word pushed out from between gritted teeth.

“You two are still dating, aren’t you?” Jewel didn’t so much as blink as she volleyed the next question. She then looked around as if to seek out the other man. “I haven’t seen him today. Did he not