The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(38)

*

Zoey wasn’t sure what had caught Killian’s attention, but from the moment she returned to their pool table, he was laser focused on her. At least he wasn’t trying to “teach” her how to play a game she was better at than he was. That would have been beyond annoying. Instead, Killian kept leaning in as if to impart wisdom and murmuring jokes to make her miss her shots. So far, Zoey had indulged his antics, if more for Lana’s sake than anything. After all, this was the second-rated Killian of the family, and by his self-deprecating humor, he knew it. Still, Zoey took her pool seriously. And seriously, if the others around her would drink a little less and focus on their game a little more, she wouldn’t be cleaning the table with them.

In between calls for more shots, Enzo and Haleigh showing far too much of their mutual enjoyment of each other’s company, and Lana’s constant tapping at her phone while standing in other players’ ways, they were making quite the spectacle of themselves.

“So, Zoey.” Killian glanced at her. “Tell me something about you.”

“Oh. Umm. I’m not very interesting.”

Actually, Zoey thought she was at least adequately interesting, but she didn’t want Killian to get the wrong idea. He was nice enough and attractive when he wasn’t staring into space with bored eyes, a thousand miles away, but not her type. Zoey wasn’t sure what her type was—her past was filled with an eclectic hodgepodge of the yawn-inducing, a few solid disappointments, and at least two unsavories. But instinct told her Killian was as much her type as she was his. Like the only blueberry muffin at an empty breakfast buffet, it was either her or a plate of cold, soggy bacon.

“Tell me one thing interesting.”

“I can’t ride a horse for shit.”

Barking out a laugh, Killian nudged her pool cue with his elbow right as she lined up her shot. “That makes two of us. My cousin is a genius with the brutes.”

“No! Why don’t I have any battery left?” Letting out a frustrated thump of her heel on the floor, Lana was oblivious to the irritated look from the player behind her, the one who couldn’t line up for their shot. “Ugh, this is ridiculous.”

“Because you’ve been glued to that thing since I arrived?” Killian rolled his eyes, bending over to take his shot. “She’s addicted.”

“She’s work-ing,” Lana singsonged, obediently sidestepping when Zoey pulled her over, mouthing a silent apology to the table behind Lana’s back.

“On her secret project none of us get to know about, but we’re all expected to show up for and donate to.” Haleigh rolled her eyes.

Lana didn’t even glance at her. “Trust me, no one is expecting much from either of you.”

Enzo snickered, taking his own shot and earning a dirty look from his girlfriend. “What?”

“She insulted you too,” Haleigh reminded him, smacking him with a cue stick. Which turned into a cue stick battle, which was not how these things were meant to be used.

Chuckling, Killian placed his hand on Zoey’s shoulder. “Okay, pool shark, it’s your turn.”

“I’m not a pool shark. Pool sharks pretend they aren’t good. I don’t mind you knowing.”

The curve on her lips turned to a grimace when Enzo’s cue came dangerously close to whacking them in the knees. “Seriously?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s Zoey’s take-a-hike face.”

Zoey didn’t even notice Graham approaching until he appeared behind her elbow.

“Of course, the lady and I are still getting to know each other, so I could be wrong.” Shooting her a wink, Graham handed her a cube of chalk. “You ready for that game you promised me?”

Maybe it would have worked, but Haleigh dissolved into laughter, and her boyfriend turned to Killian in challenge.

“Are you going to let this guy snake your date?”

“This isn’t a date.” Frowning at Enzo, she chalked the end of her stick so hard the chalk squeaked in protest. “Not a date.”

“I don’t know,” Killian teased her, squeezing her shoulder just to annoy Graham before dropping his hand. “I was hoping it might turn into one.”

Enzo glanced at Zoey. “He did pay for your drink and for the table. Just saying.”

“My ice water was free,” Zoey growled back, but no one was really listening to her, their focus on the two large men with friendly expressions, clearly squaring off.

“So you’re saying if I want to snake your date,” Graham said, eyeing Killian, “then I have to reimburse you?”

“Or just play for her,” Enzo added.

“Uh-oh,” Lana murmured, her eyes flickering up as the table finally became of more interest than her phone. “She’s going to eat you.”

The pool hall went red around the edges. Zoey could feel the hair on the back of her neck bristle with rage. “I’m sorry, but what did you just say?”

“He said—” Haleigh started helpfully, but Zoey held up a hand, shutting her up.

“All of you better not have just insinuated that I can be bought, traded, or won. Because if any of you did, I’m going to kill all of you.”

“Watch the feet, gorgeous,” Graham murmured playfully. “At least last time, you weren’t wearing heels.”