Page 92 of Knot a Good Idea

“I mean, we have a dinner date in an hour. It will be just be us.”

“Sorry, you rented out arestaurant?”

“Well, technically, it’s a diner. But the owner knows me, and I can promise you some of the best diner food you’ve ever had. Their pies are famous, but I wouldn’t dare compare them to your baking.”

April raises an eyebrow. “Donovan Axton, loving a hamburger and fries?” She places her hands in her pockets and grins. “I would have thought your endless supply of green juice would forbid it.”

The wind blows her hair, and I’m enraptured by her scent.

She’s vanilla with the rich scent of cinnamon.

She’s warmth on a cold day.

I was going to ask her to stay with us once we had dinner. I wanted to have April to myself all day before I proposed it.

I wanted to apologize fully and show her I was ready to try to at least be a friend.

But I’m ready to ask now.

I clear my throat. “I have something?—”

“Donovan?”

A light voice interrupts our conversation, and I frown.

I know that voice and scent.

She’s always been an overwhelming powdery floral, and I used to tolerate it for the pack.

But it was never ideal for me.

I turn to face Kelly, who’s walking up the driveway in heels and a fitted cream tweed dress.

She looks out of place in the industrial park with her polished sleek bun and full face of makeup, dressed as if she’s attending a cocktail party. Her hot pink glamourous car that’s parked on the sidewalk sticks out as well.

I can feel April tense next to me.

Shit.

“Kelly,” I nod, giving her a tight-lipped smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

She makes a face as she looks me up and down. “Eh. Yeah, I won’t get too close to you.” She wrinkles her nose. “Painting again?”

April’s scent darkens, the cinnamon overwhelming the vanilla, and she takes a step closer to me, her arm touching mine.

“Yes,” I reply cooly. “What are you doing here?”

“You never RSVP’d.”

I frown. “Surely, we did.”

“Well, it must be lost in the mail then, or something.” She finally looks at April. “Hello,” she says politely.

“Hi,” April replies.

“You could have called, Kelly,” I say curtly. “You didn’t have to show up.”

She purses her lip. “Polite as ever, Donovan.”

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