Page 35 of Knot So Sweet
Liam laughs, the sound grating on my last nerve. He moves closer to the counter, leaning against it like he owns the place. "You don't even know what I'm going to..."
I knead the sourdough harder, flour dusting my forearms. "You have the same look you had when you talked me into that three-legged cat. And the baseball team sponsorship."
"Those worked out fine." Liam waves a dismissive hand, then reaches out to drag Violet closer by her elbow like she's a damn show-and-tell project.
"The cat trashed my kitchen curtains before I found it a new home. The baseball team broke my front window." I press harder into the dough, probably working it too much now. "Minor setbacks my ass."
"This is different. It's brilliant."
"No." I look up, catching his eyes with my best fuck-off stare. The one that makes customers shut up about my prices. "Whatever scheme you've got, I'm not interested."
Liam straightens, undeterred. Bastard. "Just hear me out. Five minutes."
"No." I repeat, but some of the heat's gone out of it. Because Violet's moved slightly to the side, her blue eyes fixed on me, and her scent's starting to carry something careful. Guarded.
Makes my alpha side want to know what she's thinking. Which is bullshit.
Violet shifts her weight, wrapping her arms around herself. "He has an idea. I don't know what it is, but apparently you're involved."
An omega off suppressants is trouble I don't need. But instead I'm noticing how her sweetness fits with the bakery smells. Like she belongs here. Makes no damn sense.
Liam pushes off the counter, pacing toward the window before turning back. "Look, it's simple. Violet needs work. Money. A place to stay. Car repairs. You need customers. The whole town needs an economic boost. This solves everyone's problems."
I stare at him, then shift my gaze to her, then back to him. My hands still working the dough in steady motions. "How the hell does any of that involve me?"
"Because Violet's a writer." Liam gestures toward her with both hands. "She does freelance marketing and web content. She knows how to bring people into businesses. Make places sound good to tourists."
My hands stop moving on the dough. Shit. I know where this is going.
"You want her to write about my bakery."
Liam nods, taking a step closer. "About all of us. Bakery, Xaden's restaurant, my clinic, Tom's garage. The whole town. Feature articles, travel pieces, marketing that brings in tourists."
Violet's scent shifts. Warms up with actual interest despite the uncertain set of her shoulders. She uncrosses her arms, hands moving to her pockets instead.
"The idea is to create content that drives tourism while highlighting local businesses. Sustainable marketing that benefits everyone." Her voice is quiet but steady.
I look between them, my brain working through this despite wanting to refuse. I go back to the dough, shaping it more carefully now. Thinking.
"Businesses pay her for this?"
"Exactly." Liam snaps his fingers, energy practically vibrating off him. "She gets income, businesses get exposure, town gets development. Win-win."
I work the dough in silence for a moment, turning it, folding it. "How long you been writing?"
Violet straightens slightly, taking a small step forward. "Five years of freelance work before..." She trails off, then continues. "I specialized in small business marketing. Feature articles, web content, social media strategy."
"And you think you can make this town interesting to tourists?" I dust flour off my hands, finally giving her my full attention.
"I think this town is already interesting." There's steel in her voice now, her chin lifting slightly. "It just needs someone to tell its story properly."
I grunt. Not disagreeing, exactly. Just processing. I reach for my water bottle, taking a drink while I think.
"Problem is, how do we know it'll work? Town's been dying for years. What makes you think some articles will change that?"
Liam jumps back in, moving to stand beside Violet. "She'd need to prove it. Build a portfolio. Show that her writing actually drives results."
"With whose business?" I set the water bottle down harder than necessary.
