Page 13 of Knot in Bloom
“Really?” The question squeaks out.
He hands me a glass and our fingers brush. The contact sends heat shooting up my arm and makes my nipples tighten under my tank top. His nostrils flare when my scent spikes with interest.
“Really.” His voice goes rougher. “You’re allowed to believe you’re good at what you do.”
“I don’t know about good. Lucky maybe.”
“Sadie.” He sets down his fork, considers his words. “Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Making yourself smaller every time someone sees how talented you are.”
The words hit different than compliments usually do. Not like empty praise but like he actually sees me.
“I don’t?—”
“You do. You deflect every compliment. Turn every success into luck instead of skill.” His gaze drops to my mouth for just a second before snapping back up. “Why?”
The simple question catches me off guard. Because how do I explain that my ex-boyfriend spent two years convincing me I was too much work? That I’ve spent three years building a life where I don’t need anyone because needing people just means getting disappointed?
“I guess I’m just realistic about my limitations.”
“Or you’re scared to want things.”
Before I can figure out how to respond to that, someone else knocks at my door.
Louder this time. More confident.
Levi raises an eyebrow.
“Popular tonight,” he says.
I pad downstairs to the door. Look through the peephole.
Caleb. Standing there with beer and an uncertain expression that doesn’t match his broad shoulders and military posture.
I run back upstairs quickly. “It’s Caleb,” I tell Levi.
“Ah.” He nods like that makes sense. “You should let him in.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
Which should probably surprise me more than it does, but I head back downstairs to open the door.
“Hey.” His voice carries that rough gentleness I remember from when we were kids and I’d scraped my knee or lost a tooth. “Saw your light on. Thought I’d check if you were okay.”
“Come in,” I say, stepping back.
I lead him up the narrow staircase to my apartment. His attention moves to where Levi sits at my kitchen table. I watch surprise flicker across both their faces, followed quickly by cautious assessment.
“Levi brought dinner,” I say because I feel like I should explain.
“Chinese food,” Levi adds from the table. “There’s plenty.”
Caleb’s smile is easy. “Don’t want to interrupt anything.”
