Page 76 of Knot Baked Out For This
I take his phone, needing to see for myself. The comments are... extensive.
OMG the way he looks at her!!! #OakridgeAlphas is my new obsession BRO IS DOWN BAD The sexual tension could power a small city Small town romance is ALIVE #BakerAndHerBeaus forever
The hashtags multiply like rabbits with commitment issues. #SmallTownRomance. #AlphaGoals. #GetYouAManWhoLooksAtYouLikeThat.
"There's more," Levi says, swiping. "Someone made a compilation."
A compilation. Of course there is.
The new video shows multiple moments—Rowan catching Hazel at the pumpkin patch, me fixing her door (how did they even get that footage?), Levi with the flowers, all set to what I think is Taylor Swift but could be any woman singing about feelings.
"We're a ship," Levi announces proudly.
"We're a what?"
"A ship. A relationship that people root for. Well, technically we're a poly ship, which is more progressive?—"
"Stop saying ship."
"Ship ship ship."
"I will put you down like a sick horse."
"You love me too much."
He's not wrong, which is annoying.
I watch the video again. Then again. The way Hazel laughs, uninhibited and bright. The softness in Levi's eyes that I haven't seen since... ever. The careful way he doesn't crowd her space even while feeding her.
Something hot and possessive uncurls in my chest.
Mine, my hindbrain growls.
Not yours, logic reminds me. Not anyone's. Not yet.
My phone buzzes. Rowan calling.
"Have you seen it?" His voice is tight through the speaker.
"Currently watching Levi have a social media aneurysm about it."
"I'm celebrating!" Levi protests. "This is what celebration looks like!"
"The whole town's going insane," Rowan continues. "Dottie James has started a newsletter. A NEWSLETTER. About us. She's calling it 'Alpha Watch.'"
"Jesus Christ."
"There's a betting pool at the diner. Odds on who Hazel picks. You're currently the dark horse at 5-to-1."
"What are your odds?"
"Even money. Levi's the favorite at 2-to-1."
"I'm the people's champion!" Levi crows.
I want to throw something at him, but he's across the room and I'm comfortable in my chair.
"This changes things," I say carefully. "Everyone's assuming we're... something. That she's our omega."
