Page 48 of Knot on the Market

Instead, it just makes me more determined to be useful, to find my own way to contribute to whatever she's building here.

The front door opens before I can knock, and Lila appears in the doorway wearing denim shorts and a pink tank top that somehow manages to look both casual and devastating. Her hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail, and there's a smudge of what might be flour on her cheek.

"You brought coffee," she says, and her smile is bright enough to power the entire town.

"I brought coffee," I confirm, holding up the extra thermos. "And cookies from Aunt Maeve. She made me promise to make sure you're eating breakfast."

"She's going to spoil me completely." Lila accepts the thermos with hands that brush against mine, the brief contact sending warmth up my arms. "Callum's already been here since before the sun came up. I think he's trying to rebuild my entire porch single-handedly."

"That sounds like Callum." I follow her into the house, immediately noting the changes from yesterday. The reading chair positioned perfectly by the front window, already looking like it belongs. The side table holds a small lamp and what looks like one of Julian's books. "Everything looks great. You've been busy."

"Just arranging things." But there's satisfaction in her voice, the pleasure of someone who's creating a space that feels like home. "The mattress you helped carry upstairs has been a lifesaver. Most comfortable guest bed ever."

Guest bed. Right.

The careful way she says it, like she's testing how the lie sounds, makes something warm and knowing settle in my chest. She's sleeping on that mattress, probably surrounded by soft things and familiar scents and at least one stolen shirt. The knowledge makes my alpha instincts practically purr with satisfaction.

"Good," I say simply. "That's what it's for."

We head toward the kitchen, where the smell of fresh coffee mingles with something sweet and yeasty. Through the back window, I can see Callum working on the back porch framework, his movements efficient and focused.

"I should probably go help him," I say, though part of me wants to stay in this warm kitchen where Lila's scent is strongest.

"He'd probably appreciate it," Lila agrees, pouring herself coffee from the thermos. "He moved back there to check what structural issues the back porch might have too. Though he insisted he could handle everything himself. Very... independent."

The way she says it suggests she recognizes something familiar in Callum's approach to problems. Like calls to like, maybe.

"Yeah, well, independence is overrated when there's heavy lifting involved." I drain my coffee quickly, already eager to get outside and start being useful. "We'll have this knocked out in no time."

"Dean?" Lila's voice stops me at the back door.

"Thank you. For coming, for helping. For..." She gestures vaguely, encompassing more than just today's assistance. "For being you."

The simple words hit deeper than they should, carrying weight that has nothing to do with porch repair and everything to do with the way she's looking at me. Like my presence here matters in ways beyond extra hands for construction work.

"Thanks for letting me," I say quietly.

Then I head outside to help Callum, my hands already itching to start building something solid and lasting for the woman who stole my shirt and maybe my heart in the same weekend.

Behind me, I hear Lila humming something soft and contentedly off-key, and the sound follows me out into the morning sunshine like a promise.

Today's going to be a good day.

Chapter 15

Lila

The coffee tastes like heaven, but I can barely focus on it when there's a display of competence happening on my front porch.

Dean and Callum work together like they've been doing this for years instead of hours. Through the kitchen window, I watch Dean hold a support beam perfectly steady while Callum measures and marks cutting points with methodical precision. No conversation needed. Just the easy rhythm of two alphas who understand how to share space without stepping on each other's authority.

The sight does something dangerous to my chest. Makes me want things I'm not ready to examine too closely.

This is exactly what I came here to avoid,I think, gripping my coffee mug tighter.Getting distracted by helpful alphas who make domestic cooperation look effortless.

Dean straightens up to stretch his back, his t-shirt riding up to reveal a strip of golden skin that makes my mouth go dry. Even from inside the house, I can see the sheen of sweat across his shoulders, the way his muscles move with easy strength as he adjusts his grip on the beam.

Callum says something that makes Dean laugh—a genuine, delighted sound that carries through the afternoon air. The easy camaraderie between them shouldn't be as attractive as it is, but watching them work together makes me imagine other things they might do with that same cooperative efficiency.

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