Page 201 of Knot What I Expected

“You’ve never seen balloons before, Rowan?”

Christ, I love it when she says my name.

Monster chuffs.

“I’ve seen balloons,” I balk.

“Then why do you look offended by them?”

“Because they’re in the forest.”

From the back seat, Matteo leans forward as far as his seatbelt allows.

“I like balloons.”

“Of course you do, Champ.”

“They have dinosaurs on them!”

I look again.

Son of a bitch.

They do. A fucking T-Rex wearing a birthday hat.

“Why does Gia have dinosaur balloons?”

Gabby shrugs. “Maybe she likes dinosaurs.”

“Everybody likes dinosaurs,” Matteo announces.

Apparently, that settles it. Gabby reaches for the door, but I catch her wrist.

“Honey Girl.”

She turns.

“What?”

I don’t even know.

Just needed another second.

The entire drive up here, I’ve been feeling something through the matebond.

Not fear anymore.

Thank fuck.

But something.

Nerves.

Worry.

Every once in a while, a little pulse of something warm that makes Monster practically roll onto his fucking back like a puppy wanting his belly scratched.

And underneath all of it?