Page 35 of Knot in Bloom
As I head to my truck, I can feel her watching from the window. Three days ago I was treating her like a tactical objective. Now she’s asked me to be part of something that really matters to her.
Sadie Quinn just took the biggest step she’s taken in years toward trusting someone with her dreams.
Time to prove I’m worthy of that trust.
Chapter 11
Sadie
Thursday morning and I’m standing in my kitchen staring at my coffee maker like it personally betrayed me. The ancient thing finally gave up completely, probably from shock after producing actual decent coffee when Levi brought the good stuff.
I’m contemplating whether walking to The Honey Crumb in my pajamas counts as acceptable small-town behavior when someone knocks at my side door.
I pad downstairs in my bare feet and peek through the peephole. Levi stands there with two cups and what looks like a small wrapped package. His dark hair catches the morning light and he’s wearing that soft gray sweater that makes his eyes look warm.
My body responds before my brain catches up. Slick gathers immediately and my nipples peak under my thin sleep shirt. Just from seeing him through glass. My scent shifts too—honeysuckle blooming sweeter, vanilla warming with interest.
Being around multiple interested alphas is intensifying everything. Like my body knows I’m surrounded by potential mates and won’t let me forget it.
“Coffee emergency,” I say, opening the door. His cedar and rain scent wraps around me immediately, mixing with the lingering woodsy warmth that still clings to my clothes from yesterday. From Caleb.
Levi’s nostrils flare when he catches the scent combination. Instead of looking jealous, his eyes darken with something that looks almost possessive. Like he’s cataloging exactly how much of Caleb’s scent clings to me.
“Good morning to you too.” He hands me a cup, fingers brushing mine. The brief contact sends warmth racing up my arm. “Figured you might need this.”
“You figured right.” I take a grateful sip and nearly moan. Rich, perfect, exactly what I needed. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“I have my moments.” He steps inside, and suddenly my small kitchen thrums with possibility. “How are you feeling about tonight?”
It takes me a second to remember what he’s talking about. “Tonight?”
“Your dinner with Caleb.”
Right. Dinner. With Caleb. Who kissed me yesterday and made me forget my own name.
Warmth blooms across my cheeks. “How did you know about that?”
“Small town. Also, he mentioned it.” Levi sets his cup on my counter and turns to face me fully. “Sadie, we need to talk about something.”
My stomach lurches. Here it comes. The part where he tells me I can’t keep doing this.
“Caleb and I had a conversation yesterday.” His voice carries something I can’t quite identify. “About you. About... working together instead of competing.”
My stomach does a little flip. “Working together?”
“The kind where two alphas realize they want the same thing.” He reaches for the wrapped package. “Which brings me to this.”
Inside is another leather notebook, smaller than the first one he gave me. When I open it, pressed flowers fall out. Not maple leaves this time, but three different flowers. Cedar sprigs, sandalwood blossoms, and bergamot stems.
“Three flowers,” I whisper.
“Three...” He trails off, letting me draw my own conclusions. Watches my face carefully as understanding dawns.
I stare at the notebook, at the careful way he’s preserved flowers that represent all of us. The thoughtfulness makes my throat tight with emotion.
“You and Caleb talked about this?”
“We talked about you deserving to be happy. About not making you choose if you don’t want to.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “About working together instead of fighting over each other.”
