“My wife called me an asshole before I left, and she wasn’t even the first that day. That honor goes to the person behind me in the line at the coffee shop, because I accidently brushed her coat with my elbow.”

I chuckle. “God, I miss the place. How is Sophia?” I ask. “How’s married life?”

“You’re newly married?” Rosey asks. She beams like she thinks it would be wonderful to be newly married. Ironic, given how she arrived in this town.

“I am,” Worth says wearing a shit-eating grin. “Sophia and I got married in Vegas the second time we ever met.”

Rosey’s hand slaps against Worth’s arm. “Are you serious? And you’re making it work?”

“I would have asked her the first time I met her if I’d thought she’d say yes.”

“When was the first time you met her?” I ask.

“At the brunch where we were discussing Leo and Jules eloping.”

“What are you three gossiping about while I whip Jack’s arse?” Fisher asks.

“Worth was just catching Rosey up about how he fell in love with Sophia at the brunch where Jules was trying to set you up with Sophia,” I reply. “I wasn’t there but I heard about it. A lot.”

“It sounds like you’re all very… family style with your dating,” Rosey says.

“Family style?” Fisher asks.

“No,” I say, a rush of protectiveness surging in me. “We’re not. There’s absolutely no sharing.”

Fisher chokes on his beer. “We’re close, but we’re not that close.

“It’s not like that,” I say, looking Rosey straight in the eye. I’m not sure if it was just an offhand remark or whether she’s wondering if we’re just a bunch of playboys who hand women around like hors d’oeuvres. “None of us would ever. You’re safe.” I don’t want her to think I’d ever try to take advantage of her or treat her like a thing rather than the insightful, kind, sensitive woman she is.

She offers me a small smile. “I’ve never been to New York. I imagine things are very different there compared to Oregon or Star Falls.”

“People are people,” I say. “There are assholes everywhere.” The guys have moved over to the pool table, debating which shot Jack should take next.

“I haven’t met any in Star Falls yet,” Rosey says. “It seems to be filled with the best kind of people.” She shoots me a smile. “But maybe that’s because of you.”

“Me?” I ask, confused.

“Maybe you attract the best people. Maybe the assholes stay away when you’re around.”