He’s probably just pissed off that I had the brill idea to DoorDash an order of tater tots from his restaurant next door. Not my fault he doesn’t serve food at The Oak. He’s got a fully functional kitchen twenty feet away, but I wasn’t about to lose my seat at the bar: in the middle of the action, in the halo glow of Dempsey’s attention.

Whatever. Jake isn’t my priority right now.

I don’t know if it’s the effects of the vodka I polished off half an hour ago or the charms of this man, but I can’t take my eyes off Dempsey Haas.

He has a little of that “aww, shucks” Andy Griffith energy that reminds me of my brother, but there’s something darker simmering below the surface. He isn’t some fuckboy who’s all talk and no action. No, he’s gorgeous. Charismatic. Enticing without being overly cocky. He’s obviously older than me, with an inimitable confidence about him.

He moves with this grace and ease, like he genuinely enjoys refilling drinks and flirting with every single person who hits on him. And believe me—I’ve been keeping track. Just about every person he talks to acts like they’re the moth and he’s the flame.

Watching him flirt doesn’t bother me. They can try to get his attention all they want.

But he keeps coming back to me.

None of the other guys working have even tried to approach me—whether because of Jake’s warning, or because Dempsey hasn’t gone three minutes without checking on me, I’m not sure.

Jake’s been hovering for the last half hour, prowling and scowling. It pisses him off that I stayed after he shut me down—and that Dempsey’s paying me more than my share of attention.

Serves him right for trying to dismiss me.

Honestly, I should be grateful Jake tried to shoo me out of the bar. He gave me this opportunity to get Dempsey’s attention. I’ve learned plenty about the other brother over the last few hours.

He is well liked and respected by everyone he works with. They all treat him like he’s their big brother or their dad or something. Even Jake talks to him differently than he talks to the other guys.