Page 60 of Knot Made to Break: Part Two

“First of all, you underestimate how much ‘Zo and I can put away. Secondly, we can always bring some back to share with the guys. And third… Who says you have to eat them all now?” I grinned, paying the barista. “We’ll bring the leftovers home. You can snack on them all day.”

Her smile was worth every penny. I loved seeing her like this—relaxed, excited over something as simple as fresh pastries. In these moments, I could almost forget the shit we’d been through, the danger that constantly lurked at our periphery. This was what I wanted our life to be—normal, peaceful, filled with small joys instead of constant vigilance.

When I glanced back at our table, I caught Enzo checking his phone, his brows furrowed in concentration. The second he noticed me looking, he pocketed the device, his expression smoothing into something casual that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Something wrong?” I asked when we returned to the table with our haul.

Enzo blinked as if he’d just realized we were back. “Hmm? Nah, just—uh... messaging a friend. Everything’s fine.”

I didn’t believe him for a second. “Friend, huh? You meangirl?”

His jaw tightened. “Not everything’s about getting laid, man.”

“That’s rich coming from the king of hook-ups himself,” I teased, using the opportunity to plant the seed in Kit’s ear thatEnzo was known as a bit of a playboy and wasn’t mate material—at least, not yet. Maybe someday. With someone else.

Truthfully, I didn’t think Kit was into Enzo as anything more than a friend, but it didn’t hurt to be cautious. Especially because I was pretty damn sure now that ‘Zo had a thing for her.

Not that I could blame the guy. Kit was incredible. But she was alsomine.

Thankfully, the feelings didn’t seem to be reciprocated.

Enzo scrubbed a hand down his face, his eyes darting to Kit and away as she took her seat and smiled warmly at him.

“You have a girlfriend?”

He blanched. “No, sweetheart. I don’t. It was seriously just a friend…”

“It didn’t look like nothing, man.” I should’ve let sleeping dogs lie, but something about the entire exchange irked me.

“Fuck, you’re a nosy bastard,” Enzo growled, but there was a flicker in his eyes—quick and defensive. “If you gotta know, I’ve been… looking for a pack.”

Kit paused from where she was laying out the various desserts so we could dive in, beaming up at my friend. “That’s great news, ‘Zo! You really should settle down. Any pack would be lucky to have you.”

He stared at her a beat too long—like someone quietly losing a game he never should’ve played in the first place.

He dropped his gaze, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah,” he said, voice lower now. “You make it look… tempting.”

But Kit was already back to the pastries, oblivious to his struggle, his longing. She picked up the chocolate croissant—pain au chocolat, or whatever—and took a generous bite, eyes fluttering shut.

“Oh my god,” she moaned in absolute bliss. “This is heaven.”

Enzo shifted in his seat, jaw clenching as he stared determinedly at his coffee cup. His phone buzzed again, and he glanced at it, ignoring my raised eyebrow.

Kit hummed happily and wiggled in her seat, licking the buttery flakes of pastry from her fingers.

“Good?” I asked, stroking my thumb across her wrist.

“Beyondgood.” She held the croissant toward me. “You have to try this.”

I leaned forward and took a bite, maintaining eye contact the entire time. Her pupils dilated slightly, and I caught the subtle shift in her scent—more of that warm sugary sweetness breaking through the neutralizing lotion. Yeah, her heat was definitely close.

Enzo’s phone vibrated for the third time in five minutes.

“Popular guy today,” I remarked, keeping my tone light, though I wanted to encourage him to meet up with this pack. To find his own happiness… away from Kit. “You can take that if you need to.”

Enzo glanced between me and Kit, then picked up his phone and stood. “Yeah, I probably should. Be back in a minute.”

He stepped outside, nodding at Niles before striding a few feet down the sidewalk to return the call.

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