Page 137 of Knot That Serious

Yes, it mattered quite a lot, actually. “It does. Eli and Jack love each other—they’re just too stupid to see it.”

“We agree on one thing,” Raj said, lifting his glass to sip from it. His hand made the cup look tiny in comparison.

“I want Eli to be happy,” Beckett tried again.

“We agree on two things,” Raj amended.

Beckett smiled softly. “They’re too stubborn to have a conversation like fucking adults.”

“They’ve known each other for a long time,” Raj said.

Beckett nodded. “Yes, I think that’s why they’re so scared.”

“So, what are you hoping to accomplish here?” Raj asked, shifting a finger in Beckett’s direction and back.

“Well, I guess I want to know what your intentions are. You don’t have a pack?” Beckett asked innocently, turning his attention to a bead of condensation on his cup.

“I don’t have a pack,” Raj said. “I’ll tell you what I told Eli: that I am waiting.”

Beckett narrowed his gaze. “What exactly does that mean?”

“Eli asked the same thing,” Raj said, chuckling. “It means I’m open to many options. Whatever feels right.”

“So, you’d be open to a pack, then?” Beckett asked, leaning forward in his chair.

“If it was the right fit,” Raj clarified. “Why?”

“Well. Eli obviously likes you,” Beckett said, waving a hand at the alpha. “And you clearly return the feelings. But Jack loves her, too.”

“What are you getting at?” Raj asked with a tone that said he already knew the answer to his question.

“I guess what I’m proposing is… a little parent-trap action?”

“And how does this work? I think they’d notice if we swapped places,” Raj drawled.

Beckett rolled his eyes, heat rushing to his cheeks. “You know damn well what I mean. We need to get them to realize how they feel about each other.”

“And…?” Raj prompted.

“And maybe see if they’re possibly up to the idea of a pack. With all four of us.”

“One date and you already want to pack up? Beckett, I’m flattered,” Raj said, a smile beginning to curl his lips.

Beckett sipped his water. “Yes, well. I’ve had the idea in mind since before Eli’s heat. I really thought that was gonna be it, you know—the moment they realized just how much they care for one another. But it went all wrong, and it hasn’t been the same since. And now there’s you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Throwing a wrench in my plans.”

“Okay, Cupid. How can we get your plans back on track?”

Beckett blinked. “You’re in?”

“Of course I’m in. I do like Eli, quite a lot,” he said, lips quirking as if he had some little secret. “I care for her well-being and happiness. And if that includes Jack, I’m perfectly alright with that.”

“And me?” Beckett asked. “Jack and I are a bargain pair.”

Raj shrugged, though his eyes traced what he could of Beckett’s frame on the other side of the bar.

---