Page 113 of Knot That Serious

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed pink heading in their direction. His heart dropped.

“We never discussed what to do if we were discovered,” Jack said suddenly.

Beckett’s eyes went wide and he sat up a little straighter. “Oh, no.”

“Quick, hit me with your car,” Jack begged, and could do nothing but await his fate as Eli drew near.

“Jack, Beckett,” she greeted, stopping next to their table.

“Jacque?” Jack asked with a terrible fake French accent. “I do not know anyone named Jacque.”

Beckett kicked him under the table and Jack cleared his throat. “I mean, hey… crazy seeing you here.” His voice was strained.

“What is this?” she asked.

“This is… a date,” Jack tried. “Why are you here—” He made a point of looking around the restaurant. “Oh, it’s Raj! Hi, Raj!” he said with a little wave.

Eli cursed and grabbed his hand, lowering it back to the table. “Stop it. What are you even doing—” Eli reached out and pinched his face, and it took him a second to realize she was—

“No, don’t—Ow! Ow ow ow,” Jack whined as she tore off his fake mustache. He rubbed at the stinging skin and blinked tears from his eyes.

“—with this, then? Are you spying on me?” she whispered, leaning down into his space.

Jack swallowed. Wow, when did Eli get scary?

“Okay, see, it’s this new trend where you go to a store and pick out each other’s outfits. And then you wear them. On a date.”

“To spy on you,” Beckett added.

Jack’s mouth dropped open and he hoped he portrayed his betrayal as he turned to stare at him.

“Sorry,” Beckett said, not sounding sorry at all. “Honesty is the best policy.”

“Thank you, Beckett!” Eli growled, throwing a hand up. Then she pointed that finger at Jack and he winced.

“Not cool. What the hell?”

“I don’t know!” Jack admitted. “I’m sorry. We’ll leave.”

Eli rolled her eyes before glaring at him for a long, tense, moment. “It’s fine. You’re not doing any harm, besides embarrassing yourselves.”

“I think I look rather stylish,” Beckett said, straightening his bow tie.

Eli’s lips twitched. “You’re very coordinated, at least.” Her gaze trailed back to Jack, and she crossed her arms. “I don’t know exactly what you hoped to accomplish tonight.”

“To be honest, I don’t think I did either,” he admitted.

Eli softened, nodding. “Fine. I’m going back to my date. Who I have to explain why I just ripped some guy’s mustache off,” she scoffed, shaking her head.

“Fine, take all the fun out of it,” Jack said, slumping in disappointment.

Eli glared at him once more before spinning on her heel and returning to her table. Raj was waiting with a smile, one that only grew as she approached and took her seat.

Both Beckett and Jack stared unashamedly as she relayed the story to him. Raj tilted his head back and… laughed.

“He’s laughing,” Jack noted.

“I can see that,” Beckett replied, and then laid a hand on Jack’s forearm. “Oh my god, look,” he breathed.

---