Page 30 of A Heart in Knots

“Is she going to be alright?” he asked.

“She’s healing. We just have to make sure her diet is low in sugar and fat, and that she doesn’t over-exert herself.”

The scent of blueberries preceded Skye as she returned to the table with a cheerful, “I’m back.” She smoothed down the rear of her skirt and sat just as the waitress came with our desserts. I looked at the pie, the chilly little silver cup of ice cream perched next to a picture perfect wedge of flakey, buttery dough and melting saucy apple slices on the plate. Skye held out a spoon for me to take.

“Enjoy.” With a smile, I pushed the plate toward her.

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Don’t make it a habit,” I said. “And I’d like a bite.”

“Of course,” Skye was already piling the spoon full of crust, apples and ice cream for me.

The table gently rumbled as Rowan pushed his plate over toward me.

I put my hand up. “No, that’s okay.”

“It’s fine,” Rowan said. “I think you’d enjoy it more than me.”

I took the lip of Rowan’s plate in my thumb and index finger and drew it closer. “Well… thank you.” I spooned some up and had a bite. It was heavenly.

Once dessert was finished, Rowan pulled out his wallet. “I got this.”

“You don’t need to,” Skye began.

“That’s not necessary,” I said. After all, he was just a barista. I wasn’t wealthy, but I could easily handle our lunch.

“I want to,” Rowan said.

I didn’t have it in me to argue, especially after Skye spoke up.

“That’s very kind of you,” she said.

We all rose from the table and parted ways with hand shakes. Skye seemed a little demure and shy taking his hand. Something was missing. Something was off. Not bad, just off, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Skye and I walked slowly back to the house, meandering and casual.

“So, what did you think?” Skye hooked some hair behind her ear and gazed up at me.

“He’s nice,” I conceded.

“Do you… like him?” she pressed.

I considered the question. “I don’t dislike him. I think I could learn to like him.”

“Do you think Crux and Severen would like him?”

I snorted. “No.”

Skye’s expression of yearning faltered. “That’s alright. I’ll probably never see him again, anyway.”

As soon as she said it, though, her bluebells and berries turned sour and wilted, the sort of perfume that signified disappointment. I put a hand on her bare shoulder, Rowan’s jacket hanging off stylishly.

“Hey. You’re right. Packs grow all the time. And you like him.”

“Did you feel drawn to him?” Skye asked me.

“No. But, I see how he made you feel comfortable.” Then, all at once I knew what wasoff.It was so blatant I didn’t understand how I didn’t see it earlier. “And… strangely, I wasn’t feeling alpha possessive. At all. I can’t explain it.”

---