Page 91 of Knot for Me
“Hey, leave me out of this,” I say around a mouthful.
“Nope. You’re in this with me,” Marco says with a wink.
“She’s quality control.” Katie pauses what she’s doing, takes off her glove, and steps back to fix her bun. “And you’re distracting her.”
Marco raises his eyebrows at her, then glances at me. “Am I distracting you?”
“A little bit.”
He laughs. “Listen, I can’t help being beautiful, Katie. What if I beg you for a taste?”
My hackles rise a little at the obvious innuendo. I spin and head to start working on the champagne, hoping my scent isn’t too potent. He’s notflirtingflirting with her, and I have no right to be jealous. She’s not interested in him anyway. I mean, she could be, but I don’t think she is. I slide my gaze back to them. They’re still bantering, and she’s smirking at him like she thoroughly enjoys denying him. He’s grinning too, but not in anI’m interestedsort of way. See? Nothing to worry about. It’s fine. He can do what he wants.
God, even I think I sound neurotic.
I throw myself into pouring champagne like my life depends on it, and the next time I look over, Marco has left. Katie notices me and smiles.
“He went to find Lucas and Cory. He smells nice, doesn’t he?”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess. How long have you been doing this?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
Katie’s eyes tell me she knows exactly what I’m doing, but she takes mercy on me. “Exactly six years tomorrow.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. What got you started?”
“I went to culinary school when I turned twenty. I spent the first two years of adulthood waiting for a mate… he never came, so I decided to invest in myself rather than waiting around for a man.”
“I like that.” I set the empty bottle down and open another, flinching a little when the cork pops out. “Sorry about the mate thing though.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m actually really happy with the way things have gone. My business is thriving, and I have great friends.” Marissa and Norris grin and look over at her.
“What about you? How long have you been cleaning?”
“Um. About a month.” I accidentally overfill a flute and curse.
“Leave it, so long as they’re full, that’s all that matters. We can clean later.” She goes back to whatever task she’s on for a few seconds. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“If it’s about me being an omega, no.”
“Fair enough.”
I glance over, and she shrugs. “I was only curious, but I respect your boundary.”
“Thanks.”
“Once you’re done with the champagne, can you start on the wine?” She points to the counter behind her which is covered in glasses. Not as many as the champagne flutes, but enough to make me worry the guests will end up drunk. Or maybe that’s the point.
It is a ball, after all. They’re supposed to be fun. Right?
* * *
“Holy crap these people like to drink,” Norris mutters when he comes in to refill his drink tray.
One of the waiters who showed up just before the guests arrived snickers and hefts his tray of food onto his palm, steadying it with the other hand. “They love to eat too.”
He leaves, and I help Norris load up his tray with red wine. Marissa is working the champagne with another woman, and a guy named Bill is serving the white wine. Katie is helping the two food servers. I was surprised she wanted to help, but she said the best bosses aren’t afraid to help. I envy Marissa and Norris a little more knowing how cool Katie is. She’s probably a great person to work for.
“Wish me luck.” Norris picks up his tray and heads out.
