Page 26 of Knot That Serious

“Well, of course I didn’t, because I still don’t have any sugar-free items, do I?”

Just as Eli parted her lips to reiterate what she’d already told the woman, a deep voice interrupted.

“Janice, is that you?”

The woman stiffened, face turning red before she slowly turned to face the man who’d spoken.

Blond, hot, in a suit—wait.

“Good morning, Beckett, sir,” she said, straightening her spine.

Great. Jack’s new boy toy was watching Eli get her ass handed to her by a customer. Loved that for her.

Beckett arched a brow as he walked around to the counter on Eli’s right, setting down—was that two coffees?

“How are you this morning, Janice? You know, I’ve been meaning to stop by and…”

Eli met the gaze of the last patron, whose eyes were wide as they took in the scene. Maybe Eli should pop them some popcorn while they watched the drama unfold.

As Beckett talked—about suits, no less—Eli let her attention trail back to the beta. Who… was in the process of pulling out her wallet, and motioned to the touch pad. “Actually, yes that’s all,” she whispered. “I’ll take these.”

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, or whatever the saying was—that didn’t even make sense—she added up the woman’s selections and spun the pad around.

The transaction was quick, and Beckett talked the whole time, promising to stop by Janice’s and continue their conversation as she gathered her little white treat bags and boxes.

Eli did not offer her a bigger bag for carrying.

When the bell jingled, cheering at her absence, the entire bakery relaxed, as if the building itself was breathing out the tension.

“Sorry about that,” Eli offered as the customer finally stepped to the counter.

“Don’t apologize, she was a bitch,” they said.

Eli chuckled and motioned to the glass container. “What would you like? It’s on the house, for being so patient.”

They beamed at that, and picked out one of the ube brownies—their bestseller—and a regular glazed donut.

Eli sleeved the items and put them in a bigger paper bag before passing it over the counter. “Thanks for stopping by,” Eli said, smiling at them.

It was genuine, especially as they dropped a ten in the tip jar.

Eli thanked them and watched them go, then braced her hands on the counter and hung her head.

She took three deep breaths before the soft thunk of a cardboard cup meeting the counter caught her attention.

Turning her head to the right, she pushed off the counter and sauntered over.

“Thanks for the rescue. Are you her boss or something?”

Beckett snorted and pushed the other cup of coffee over. It still had the travel stopper in.

“I wish. No, just a coworker.” He shrugged, the grin curling his lips downright devious. “But she can’t stand me. Apparently I talk too much–imagine that?”

Eli laughed, unstopped the coffee to sniff it, and turned it around to read the order.

Hm. It was her favorite. Jack must have given it to him.

“One time she was shit-talking me in the work chat, and it got leaked. Now she can’t stand being in the same room with me. I think she’s afraid I’ll go to HR about it.”

---