He’d insist the festival be held in Rescue, though, not at McNally’s ski area. If the town blocked off Sweetgale in front of the park, they could set up booths in the street. They’d have to figure out what would draw the city people, though.

Audrey would have ideas. Turning, Gabe spotted her as she headed toward the bar. He’d caught glimpses of her earlier, but she hadn’t joined him, which seemed odd.

It’d taken a while to convince Miss Shyness, but she’d come to realize he valued her hugs. Her kisses. Now, she’d always greet him and grab a hug. But not tonight?

He frowned. Maybe she was avoiding someone? He glanced to his right and…

Shit.

In the crowded bar area, bodies were constantly jostling, and he hadn’t paid any attention to the way Brooke was jammed up against his side. If Audrey had pressed against him like that, he’d have damn well noticed—and gotten a hard-on—but he didn’t view Brooke in that way. Because of their history, she wasn’t even a friend—more like a business acquaintance.

Considering how Brooke behaved, Audrey might have gotten the wrong notion.

Even as he started to stand to move away from Brooke, someone growled, “MacNair.”

Gabe turned.

Knox shoved through the three-deep crowd around the bar. His stance was belligerent, jaw shoved out. He looked Brooke up and down, and then glared at Gabe. “That pretty blonde waitress, Audrey…I got lots of friends who’re interested. I take it she’s free?”

“Fuck no.” The words were out before Gabe even thought—but he’d spoken the truth.

Brooke leaned against him again. Yeah, he needed to deal with her. What was her problem?

“Good.” Knox glanced at Brooke and scowled. “Our librarian looked a tad downhearted.”

Oh, hell. The thought of hurting Audrey was a stab in the chest. He should have been more aware…of everything.

Before he could deal with Brooke, Audrey stepped out from behind Knox and thumped her tray of empties onto the bar to Gabe’s left. “I’m not downhearted.”

At Knox’s disbelieving sound, she shook her head and gave him a wry I’m-okay smile.

“All right then.” Knox nodded at her, shot Gabe another glare, and moved back into the crowd.

Next to the bar, Audrey watched Knox saunter away, realizing he did like her. Her smile faded as she saw that Brooke still clung to Gabe. That hurt like an ugly tearing around her heart.

And yet…

Gabe had said Audrey wasn’t free. Emphatically said it. That discrepancy needed examination.

Biting her lip, she studied Gabe.

His gaze was on Audrey, his body turned toward her. His knees pointed away from Brooke. One arm was on the bar, the other holding his beer.

When Brooke gripped his arm, he turned to give her a disgusted look. “Stop it.”

He wasn’t…into…Brooke.