Page 64 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

“I gotta go,” she calls as she flees the room, everything in me screaming to chase her down, to make her understand. But my legs don’t move and suddenly, Cherry is at the door with my new client.

Fuck!

This is my fault. I made the rules of this game, thinking it would be better to let things develop naturally. But all I’ve done is hurt her—we all have.

Time to change the rules.

I pull out my phone, sending the same text to Knox and Garrett.

We need to talk. Pronto.

19

RUBY

I’m wiping down the same spot on the bar counter, trying to ignore Ash’s pointed looks. It’s been two days since I trained with Dominic, and I haven’t seen any of the guys since… on purpose. I’ve kept my distance, deciding I need to come clean. So, I’ve been hiding in my bar since.

“If you clean that spot any harder, you’ll find the secret passage to Narnia,” he quips, juggling three glasses on the way back to the bar.

“Shut up,” I mutter, but my lips twitch into a grin.

“Make me.” He snatches the rag from my hand. “I swear, between your brooding and your cleaning obsession, you’re one leather jacket away from being a romance novel heroine.”

“I don’t brood.”

“Oh, really?” He strikes a dramatic pose, hand to his forehead. “‘Oh, woe is me. I’m too pretty, and too many hot guys want me. Whatever shall I do?”

I throw a maraschino cherry at his head. He catches it in his mouth… because, of course, he does.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it like a lifeline, ignoring Ash’s smirk.

It’s Lily.

Guess who just dropped an entire bowl of buttercream on her favorite shoes? This girl! But on the bright side, my feet smell delicious.

Despite everything, I laugh and respond.

How do you even function?

Pure talent and questionable life choices Also, coffee. So. Much. Coffee.

Miss you. The bar feels empty without you popping in with your stories and baked goodies.

Aww, honey, you getting soft on me? Must be serious if you’re admitting feelings. You good?

I bite my lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Just... boy trouble.

SPILL This about those hotties from the other day? Because if you’re not interested, I volunteer as tribute. Especially for Mountain Man. Those ARMS.

My stomach twists with guilt. If she only knew...

It’s complicated.

Isn’t it always? But OMG, speaking of complicated, you will NOT believe what happened to me the other night

Did you set another mixing bowl on fire?

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