Page 23 of Knot What I Expected

“What can I get you guys to drink?”

“Water,” Justin says.

“Coke,” Wreck answers distractedly while texting what I assume is his mate.

Then I look at Havoc. His gold eyes are already locked on me.

Of course, they are.

“Rowan?”

His jaw clenches.

I blink.

“What?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Oh.”

I immediately feel stupid.

“Sorry. Havoc? That work for you?”

Something flashes across his face.

Regret, maybe.

“No. Yeah. I didn’t mean⁠—”

“It’s fine. I shouldn’t have⁠—”

We stop talking.

Wreck looks up from his phone.

Justin’s eyebrow rises.

Oh, fantastic.

Now we have an audience.

My skin itches beneath my shirt and pants. Havoc’s eyebrows furrow and he leans back in the booth.

“Water’ll be just fine, Gabby.”

My stomach flips at the sound of my nickname in that rough voice.

“Water. Got it.”

I turn around to go.

“Gabriella?”

I look over my shoulder. Havoc’s golden gaze moves slowly over my face.

“Are you okay?”