Page 138 of Knot Happening Again

I nod, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. As I start rifling through the nearest bag, a flash of pink catches my eye. My heart skips a beat as I pull out the chenille blanket I'd been eyeing in the store.

The one I'd left behind because of its exorbitant price tag.

“Wait, I didn’t buy this,” I say, confused, running my fingers over the impossibly soft fabric.

Troy peers over my shoulder, his brow furrowing. "Huh. I don't remember seeing that one before."

I look up at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. But his confusion seems genuine. "You didn't add it to the cart when I wasn't looking?"

He shakes his head, a puzzled expression on his face. "Nope. Not me, princess."

My mind races as I turn back to the bags, pulling out item after item. The river stones I'd admired for the bathroombut deemed too frivolous. The salt lamp I'd talked myself out of. Even the ridiculously expensive essential oil diffuser I'd barely glanced at. They're all here, nestled among the things I remember choosing.

"I don't understand," I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "How..."

The doorbell chimes, cutting off my train of thought. Mace straightens up, a curious look on his face. "Maybe they forgot something?"

He disappears downstairs, and I can hear muffled voices drifting up from the foyer. A moment later, the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor reaches my ears.

"Uh, Ophelia?" Mace calls up. "You might want to come see this."

Exchanging confused glances with Troy and Maddox, I make my way downstairs. As I reach the bottom step, my jaw drops.

There, taking up most of the foyer, is a massive box. And peeking out from the partially opened top is a familiar shape.

The crescent moon of that wicker chair I'd fallen in love with but hadn't dared to even consider buying.

"What the..." I trail off, unable to form coherent thoughts.

As the delivery men maneuver the box further into the house, suddenly, it clicks.

Leon.

He must have noticed me looking at these things in the store. Must have seen the longing in my eyes that I thought I'd hidden so well. And without a word, he went back and bought them all.

A whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me, leaving me dizzy and off-balance. Gratitude wars with confusion, joy with a lingering sense of mistrust.

"Where should we put this?" one of the movers asks, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Uhm. Upstairs, please," I say sheepishly. "In my studio."

"I'll show you," Maddox says, leading them up the stairs.

I watch in bewilderment as the huge chair is carted up to my studio. The extravagant finishing touch on an already luxurious space. It's the kind of studio a master sculptor would have, not an amateur hobbyist.

But I can't deny the flutter of excitement in my chest as I think about the new pillows and blankets I'm going to put in the chair.

And even if Leon isn't around to say thank you to, I have to admit that just this once, he didn't do too shabby.

CHAPTER 39

OPHELIA

"Oooh, this dress is gorgeous!" Natalie squeals, pulling out a shimmering gold number from my closet. "Is this Versace?"

I nod, running my fingers over the soft fabric. "Rhys bought it for me last week. Said it would look perfect for tonight."

Natalie whistles low. "Girl, you hit the jackpot with this pack. Designer clothes, a freaking art studio... what's next, a private jet?"

---