Page 31 of Knot in Bloom
“Now I’m supposed to figure out how to ask out a woman I’ve been thinking about since the berry festival without coming across like some kind of creep.”
Dean leans back. “What’s really stopping you?”
The question hits deeper than it should. “She’s got other people interested in her. Men who actually know how to date instead of just showing up to fix things.”
“Levi?” Julian asks.
“And some architect taking her to dinner.” The words taste bitter. “While I’ve been trying to figure out appropriate timelines for expressing interest, they’ve actually been expressing it.”
“So you think you’re too late,” Dean says.
“I think I’m out of my element.” I run a hand through my hair. “Back overseas, I knew my role. Keep everyone safe,complete the mission. Here? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be.”
Lila sets down the baby clothes and looks at me. “You know, just because she’s got other alphas interested doesn’t mean you’re out of the running.”
I stop. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re thinking about this like there’s only one spot available.” She gestures around the table. “Look how well it worked out for us.”
Something shifts in my chest. Not jealousy about Sadie having other suitors, but... curiosity about being part of something bigger.
“You think she’d be open to that?”
“I think,” Lila says carefully, “that Sadie doesn’t even realize she’s being courted yet. She probably thinks Levi’s just being nice and Reid’s just doing business.”
Julian looks up from his papers. “Well, Levi kissed her Monday night. So she might be starting to figure it out.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “He what?”
“At the bookstore,” Julian says quietly. “Dean heard it from River.”
Dean sees my expression and leans forward. “Hey, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the running. Just means you need to be more direct about your intentions.”
“Right,” I say, though my voice sounds hollow. While I’ve been overthinking approach strategies, Levi’s already made his move.
“That’s actually why talking to him first makes sense,” Lila says. “See where his head is. Maybe you’re not as late to this as you think.”
Dean grins. “You thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
“I’m thinking maybe I should talk to Levi first. Alpha to alpha. See where his head is.”
“That’s actually mature,” Lila says, sounding surprised. “And smart.”
As I drive toward the bookstore, my head feels clearer. The military gave me frameworks for everything—assess situations, build teams, accomplish objectives. Maybe civilian life isn’t that different. Just different types of missions.
The bookstore’s closed sign is flipped, but I can see Levi moving around inside. When I knock, he looks surprised but opens the door.
Ashpine Books smellslike cedar and old paper when he lets me in. He’s got that careful way of working that suggests someone who thinks before acting. The kind of person Sadie would trust.
“Coffee?” he offers after I explain why I’m here.
“Sure.”
We settle into worn leather chairs, and there’s something about the space that puts me at ease. Comfortable. The kind of place where actual conversations happen.
“So,” he says, settling across from me. “Sadie.”
“Right. Look, I heard about Monday night.”
