Page 85 of Knot Gonna Give You Up
“Whelp, that’s my cue to get the hell outta dodge,” she says, sweeping out of the room without waiting for a reply.
Jesse and I just look at each other and grin. I’m not sure if Ray really is grossed out by our PDA or if she just pretends to be. Either way, it’s fun to poke at her. Jesse and I snuggle in silence, both of us content to just exist together. He’s taken to spending more time around us, but not necessarily speaking up much. We don’t force him either.
Henry and Vic have been surprised at how observant he is and the insight he can provide as they get to know him. I’m glad they are because I’ve seen it from the start.
“What happened at the house? Can you tell me?” I ask.
Jesse tilts his head in thought, “There were a couple of conversations that happened. Honestly, I’m not sure of the full outcome, but I’m hopeful.”
“I’m not sure that I am.” I bite my lip, assuming that Simon was the topic of conversation at the house.
“That’s okay, Jojo, I can be hopeful for you.”
I raise my eyebrows at him, “I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“Sure it is.”
“Do we need to talk about how brains and humans work?” I quip.
“No, but if we had our bond complete, I could definitely send my hope your way,” he laughs.
I huff a small laugh before uncertainty sets in. Jesse catches it immediately because that’s just who he is.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to push. I was just making a joke. You know I’m ready, I know you accept me, the timing will figure itself out.”
I tilt my head to give him a quick kiss. “You’re amazing.”
Before he can reply, the doorbell rings. I glance over with a frown but decide to go check it out. Henry’s buried in his office, and Vic’s putting stuff away. It’s me or Jesse, and I usually make a point to answer the door when it’s just the two of us. As soon as my hand touches the doorknob, I hear two sets of heavy feet coming toward me from within the house.
I glance over to see Henry and Vic doing their best to look nonchalant. At least they’re trying. My brow furrows at them, and I make it very clear over the bond that I’m not falling for their shit. Surprisingly, they manage to hold their smiles in, although I do see a twitch of Henry’s lips. When I swing the door open, I’m stunned into silence.
Simon is on the other side of the door, looking incredibly unsure of himself, but determined as hell in the same breath. He’s holding twomassivebouquets of flowers, one is all red roses and the other is a mix of a couple of different flowers, with petals that look fluffy and soft. I see a couple of orchids in the mix, but I’m not sure about the other two.
In front of Simon, there’s a line of bags from various stores, including the Omega shop and his coffee shop downtown. My inner Omega is jumping up and down, shaking pom poms, and cheering for my last Alpha. She’s easily won over by gifts, and I think he knows that. However, the rational part of me is not as easily swayed.
“I know this doesn’t fix anything,” he says before either of us says a greeting, “but I felt like I needed—no—wanted to bring offerings to try and get some of your time. There are no stringsattached. If you want to take all of this and tell me to leave, I will.”
My eyes roam over all the bags and the flowers, savoring the difference between the red roses of one bouquet and the pinks and purples in the other. Knowing I can’t avoid it, I finally look up into his eyes. Their chocolate brown always sucks me in, trying to see what I can uncover within them. Today, all I see is remorse and a tendril of hope. I want to reply, but I feel frozen, unsure how to respond to the massive display before me.
Behind me, there’s a cough that poorly disguises the words “let him in,” and I turn to see the culprit. Weird, none of the three guys inside are looking this way, and the ceiling seems exceedingly interesting to them. My bratty side comes out in response, and I step out of the house and close the door behind me.
“That’ll teach them,” I mutter.
Simon must hear it because he laughs as I finish my grumbling. My eyes flash up to his with a small smile, and my fingers twist together in front of me as nerves threaten to overtake my brain.
“Um, hi,” I finally say.
“Hey.”
I reach timidly for the roses, and he happily hands them over, smiling the entirety of our interaction. My hands bring them to my nose so I can inhale the soft fragrance.
“They’re gorgeous, thank you. What’s in the other one?” I ask.
Simon scratches the back of his neck, “Um, orchids, peonies, and carnations. I told the florist I wanted two giant bouquets of love.”
“L-love?” I choke out.
His eyes widen in slight panic, “Uh, more like intentions of love? She broke it all down for me, and none of them translateexactly, so I’m not trying to come over and force an emotion on you. Um, the roses are, like, romance, then the other flowers are refinement, beauty, and, uh, fascination.”
