Page 74 of Down, Boy

I glance over to where Jake's leaning against the barn, looking far too amused for whatever he's about to say next.

"I'm working," I call back.

"You're staring."

"Professionally observing," I correct.

"Uh-huh." He pushes off the barn and strolls over, all swagger and knowing smirks. The Mercer brothers share the same build, the same easy confidence, but where Dean's charm comes with a side of golden retriever energy, Jake's is pure cattle dog—loyal, protective, and a little bit of an asshole when the mood strikes.

"You two are disgustingly happy," he says when he reaches me. "It's unsettling."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," I reply.

"It's weird. Dean used to be fun. Reckless. Now he's talking about quarterly budgets and asking if we need to update our liability insurance."

"That's called being a responsible adult."

"It's called being boring." But he's grinning. "Though I'll admit, having an actual vet on staff is pretty convenient. Saves me from Dean's amateur hour diagnostics."

"He's not that bad."

"He once thought a dog had a fever because his nose was warm."

I laugh. "Okay, he's that bad."

Dean finishes with Apollo and heads our way, pulling off his ball cap to run a hand through his sweat-damp hair. My stomach does a stupid little flip that hasn't gotten old in six months.

"Talking about me?" he asks.

"Always," Jake says. "Callie was just telling me how she can't believe she's stuck with you."

"She loves being stuck with me."

"Debatable," I say, but I'm smiling.

Dean stops in front of me, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. He smells like sun and exertion and the cologne I bought him last month that he claims is "too fancy" but wears anyway.

"Got something for you," he says.

I raise an eyebrow. "Is it a dog with a behavioral issue? Because Apollo's all yours."

"Not a dog."

"Paperwork?"

"Why would I give you paperwork?"

"You gave me paperwork last week and called it romantic."

"That was a vaccination schedule," he protests. "You needed it."

Jake groans. "This is what I'm talking about. You two are the least sexy couple I've ever met."

"Feel free to leave," Dean tells him.

"I work here."

"Go work somewhere else."