Page 19 of Knot a Good Idea

“The fact that you’re not used to them concerns me. Have you not been told you’re beautiful before?”

I wonder about her previous relationships. What kind of assholes did she date that didn’t bother to tell her how stunning she was?

You’re no better, my inner voice reminds me.She doesn’t even know this isn’t a real date.

She worries her lip and shifts in her seat. “I have,” she mutters, “but compliments can only get you so far. I would like to know aboutyou.You can try to flatter me all you want, but I would prefer we have genuine conversation.”

I smirk though inside I’m ready to scream in frustration.

This is exactly the kind of relationship I would desire.

In another life, this could bereal.

The waiter brings three different breads with house-made butter, and April’s eyes light up while he explains the baking methods the pastry chefs use. They chat for a moment, and I sit back and observe as she engages in conversation with him.

She’s endearing, smart, and clever, everything my dream Omega would be.

Hunter and Liam would love her.

Well, Hunter would become obsessed, and Liam would fall head over heels for her.

When the waiter leaves, I raise an eyebrow at her. “That’s the most entertained I’ve seen you look all night,” I remark, unable to keep the slight bitterness from my voice.

She shrugs. “It’s easy to talk about baking. It’s what I do.”

“You enjoy your job.”

She nods. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” she admits. “For the most part, at least.”

I nod. “I envy that.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Oh, yeah?” she asks. “Which part?”

I cock my head and raise a brow, surprised at the sudden scent of her anger. “The part where you can talk passionately about what you do,” I reply. “The part where you can strike up a conversation with a stranger about your career and share a passion for it.”

She chews her lip and sighs. “I’m sorry,” she mutters. “I know I seem bitter. I’m not trying to take it out on you. I’m dealing with employee issues.”

I lean forward and give her a smile. “See this? This I can do. I can talk business with you.” I motion between us, and her eyes crinkle with amusement.

“Sure. But I doubt we have the same problem,” she sighs. “Any chance you’ve had to let your best manager go because you didn’t sell enough macarons for the quarter?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m afraid I’ve never experienced that before, sorry. I’ve had to let people go, of course, but the sales weren’t macaron related.”

She scoffs and tears at a piece of bread. “I figured.”

“Was she one of the women I saw the other day?”

“The peppy, overly-caffeinated blonde? That’s Devyn. Yes.”

“Ah. The one who suddenly couldn’t help me and had to grab you.”

She scowls. “That one,” she grumbles.

“Well, I’ll forever be grateful to her for suddenly needing to rearrange the pastries.”

“Oh, yeah?” She chews her bread slowly, and I don’t miss the way she closes her eyes in bliss.

I want that look on her face all the time.

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