Page 93 of Knotted

Mark picks up on the first ring. “Hey, Brian, what’s up?”

“It’s Grandma Spenser’s birthday, and I need a cake.”

There’s a brief pause before he laughs. “Last minute as usual. When do you need it?”

“An hour.”

“Anhour? Jesus, no pressure. All right, favorite flavors?”

“Halmeoni loves anything apple. And booze.”

“Allergies?”

“Definitely not.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I’ve literally watched her eat everything from nuts to fruit, and even a mind-boggling assortment of wildflowers and weeds just to prove they weren’t poisonous. The woman’s practically invincible.”

I can hear the wheels turning on his end, the familiarsounds of him rummaging through his colossal pantry. “You’re in luck. I’m fully stocked. If I start now, I can do a Tarte Tatin with a bourbon-soaked crust and buttery rum caramel glaze. Or are you aiming for a real showstopper? Perhaps an apple cake with bourbon cream cheese frosting.”

“Surprisingly, shedoeshave a thing for cream cheese.”

“Fine. Done. But only if you cease and desist all ABBA karaoke on my voicemail. I still read the transcriptions during meetings.” He pauses. “And let me tell you, reading ‘You are the Dancing Queen’ in the middle of a budget review is less than ideal.”

I snort, trying to keep a straight face. “I bet it is.”

“Not that I particularly mind being told I can dance, I can jive, having the time of my life. But do you have any idea how hard it is to keep from humming ‘Dancing Queen’ during meetings?”

I burst out laughing, doubling over, unable to stop the mental image of Mark trying to keep a straight face while humming ABBA in a boardroom.

“Do we have a deal?” he asks, deadpan.

I wipe away a tear, still grinning. “Deal.”

I hang up, elated that the birthday girl will have a very special cake, and I can’t wait to tell Jules. I slip on my prosthetic and head to the bathroom.

The steam clings to the mirror, and Jules is already under the water, her hair soaked. She catches me watching, her eyes dropping to mygrowing excitementwith a teasing grin.

“Haven’t you had enough?” she asks, playful as ever.

I move in behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing her back against my chest.

“Enough?” I murmur, brushing my lips against her ear. “When it comes to you, I’llneverhave enough.”

CHAPTER 42

Brian

We pull up in front of the Spenser family home, and I’m already fighting the tension creeping up my neck. The place looks exactly how I remember it—warm and welcoming. For everyone but me.

She kills the engine and glances over at me. “You look worried.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, avoiding her gaze. “Worried? Why would I be worried?”

Maybe because her father has me pegged as a dirtbag who ruined her life. You know, no reason at all.

I suck in a breath and remind myself that I’m not here for him. I’m here for her.

“It’ll be fine,” she says softly, but I hear the edge in her voice.

Once we’re out of the car, cake in hand, Jules nudges me toward the door with all the gentleness of yanking a stubborn mule.

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