Brooke was the one doing all the flirting and touching. But what man would object to that? Brooke was gorgeous. Vivacious. Knew everyone.

I can’t compete with her.

A loving relationship wasn’t a sports competition. In the beginning, it was…a taste test, like deciding upon a flavor in the ice cream store. Cherry, vanilla, and hazelnut were good, but given a choice, she wanted chocolate.

Brooke might have been the right ice cream for a younger Gabe, but he wasn’t interested in her now.

Unfortunately, the woman wasn’t getting the message. As Audrey watched—probably because Audrey was watching—Brooke draped herself on Gabe again.

Oh, honestly. Audrey crossed her arms over her chest. “Brooke, you’re giving the sisterhood a bad name. Hitting on someone’s boyfriend, right in front of her? Seriously? That’s just weird and…needy. Do you really mean to come across like that?”

Brooke gasped as if she’d been slapped, and she snatched her hands from Gabe’s arm.

A mutter came from somewhere back in the very interested crowd. “She’s always doing that. No man is safe.”

Audrey’s mouth was too dry. Her mother had taught her how ugly confrontations could get. But still... She glanced around and raised her voice slightly. “I’m sure Brooke doesn’t understand that she’s upsetting the sisterhood. For my part, I’ll help by letting her know when she missteps again.”

“Good plan.”

“I like it.”

A chorus of agreement came from nearby women along with suppressed laughter from the men.

Face a dusky red, Brooke sat back on her bar stool, leaving space between her and Gabe. Acting as if she didn’t see Audrey, she picked up her drink. Probably no one had ever called her on her behavior before.

Audrey realized her own face was hot. Had she really just done that?

This probably wasn’t what Lillian had in mind when she’d told Audrey to participate in conversations.

Smiling, Gabe pulled Audrey between his knees. “Thank you, sweetheart. I appreciate the help.”

Behind him, Brooke looked shocked. “B-but, Gabe.”

Gabe ran his hands up and down Audrey’s arms, before turning to look at Brooke. “I’d already told you, but I’ll repeat. We had ourselves some fun years ago, and it ended years ago. Done and over.”

“But, I know you want me. You talked to me and—”

Audrey’s anger was dying. Maybe the woman truly was that clueless. She stepped into her librarian-teaching mode. “Brooke.”

Brooke looked over.

“Have you talked with guys and they immediately assume you want to go to bed? They’ll get all pushy and try to manhandle you?”

Brooke rolled her eyes. “Oh, have I.”

“Uh-huh. You’re behaving the same way as those men, you know.”

Such an indignant stare. “I am not.”