They could go back and forth for hours, some bizarre aspect of their relationship both found utterly appealing. In their banter, it was entirely possible the two had completely forgotten his presence.

Setting the bag of breakfast burritos on the table, Easton nodded at the woman who had made his friend so happy. “Good luck today. You still have that big group scheduled?”

“Yep! Biggest so far. I can’t wait.”

There wasn’t an ounce of sarcasm in her enthusiastic statement. Zoey loved her job up at the resort. A former waitress, Zoey could have worked with Graham at his diner. But the sheer amount of joy she took from careening around in her tour bus, telling visitors all about the local flora and fauna was hard to resist. In her year in Moose Springs, she’d quickly become a favorite with the tourists.

“Do I look okay?” she asked, nervousness clear. “The new summer shirts fit more snug than the winter ones.”

A flash of consternation crossed Graham’s features, but he smoothed it away when Zoey turned to face him.

Zoey Caldwell was a short, slender woman with eyeglasses sliding down her nose and bangs falling across her pretty face. Her monogrammed shirt was the same provided by Moose Springs Resort for all their staff, including their tour guides: a professional-looking collared button-down in royal blue.

Going blue shirt in Moose Springs was a sign of shame. No one wanted to be reliant on the monstrosity clinging to their mountain. Easton was surprised that Zoey didn’t know most of the residents who worked at the hotel kept their shirts tucked out of sight until right before their shifts.

Zoey always sported hers proudly.

“You look perfect.” Wrapping his arms around her waist, Graham added, “I’d vote for adding a sweatshirt. It might get chilly out there this morning. You can steal that gray college one of mine if you want. I know you like it.”

Beaming at him, Zoey hustled off, disappearing into Graham’s bedroom. Maybe Graham was capable of some form of emotional growth.

“Subtle,” Easton said, because it wasn’t any chillier than it ever was in an Alaskan summer.

“I’ll explain it to her eventually.” Graham sighed. “I haven’t had the heart to tell her.”

“Are you sure she wouldn’t rather work with you at the Tourist Trap? You’re the mayor now. You have enough on your plate without running your diner alone.”

Being forced to become the main political figurehead in Moose Springs hadn’t been Graham’s idea, and he’d sure whined enough since being railroaded into the job. But he was a natural leader and cared about his town, and they had been the better under Graham’s guidance.

A broad grin spread across Graham’s face. “Buddy, the more you push me to hire help, the less inclined I am to do it. You know this, but still, you push.”