Page 47 of Knot That Serious

Eli risked a glance up at Jack and found his cheeks a little redder.

“Well, thanks,” she said. “How’s Wendy?”

“She’s great! I’ll have to stop by and grab some more of those brownies. Wendy loved them.”

“Aw, wish you’d said something earlier, I could’ve brought some home as a thanks,” she urged.

Arlo waved her off. “Nah, it’s my pleasure. I like helping clueless guys with their omegas.”

“What?” Jack said at the same time Eli choked out a “Huh?”

Arlo glanced between them and slowly backed away. “I mean… what? Gotta go, bye!”

“Choosing to ignore that,” Jack called after him, and Eli nodded in agreement before snatching the bag from Jack’s hands.

“It’s like Christmas! What do you wanna try first?” he asked as he shut the door.

“I’m not sure yet—ooh, tangerine sunrise? That sounds like a fun strain,” she answered, and pulled out the first little container, sitting it on the coffee table.

She collapsed down into the couch and pulled out the other goodies. “There’s so much.”

While Eli read the labels on each container and organized them into what she hoped would be most useful to least, Jack piddled around the kitchen. Eventually, the cushion dipped beside her, and she glanced over, only for Jack to place a clementine and a glass of water on the coffee table.

“Thanks,” she said softly, and reached to peel the orange.

In the silence, she tried not to think about how she and Jack had basically decided that any time now, they were going to sleep together. And she was not referring to just an accidental nap on the couch.

Surely this was a new record for fastest-peeled fruit, yeah?

“So.” Jack said.

“So.” Eli echoed, glancing over at him.

“I can tell you’re stressing,” Jack blurted, and shook his head. “It’s gonna be fine. Great, even. Like I said, gonna knot you til—”

“My eyes cross, yeah, got that,” she drawled around a mouthful.

“I ran some numbers today. We’re killing it, so I paused the online store. We’re ahead on bills, and I put a ‘closed’ sign out front. Texted everyone to let them know their shifts were canceled for a few days.”

Eli’s shoulders relaxed a smidge. “Thanks, Jack,” she said, voice small. He always took care of that stuff, and she felt a little guilty that it hadn’t occurred to her until now.

“Why don’t you go prep a bath,” he said. “I’ll roll you a fat joint, and hand deliver it. Then we can watch a movie. It’s just like any other night.”

Eli knew it was different, but she was desperate to get rid of this lingering worry.

So. A bath it was.

“Okay. I can do that,” she said softly.

Jack grazed his fingers up the back of her arm. “Want to try the tangerine strain?”

Eli nodded.

He sat forward on the couch, taking his soft touch with him. She kind of missed it already, and watched as he pulled the container forward and cracked it open. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled, and then sighed. “Oh, that’s nice,” he sang, and held it out for her.

Eli leaned forward and hovered her nose above the container before drawing in a breath. The earthy smell that was distinctly weed was tinged with a hint of citrus. “That’s gonna be so good,” she agreed.

“Alright, go get cozy. I’ll knock.”

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