Page 45 of Knot What I Expected

“Then give it to the other bartender. Put it in the tip jar. Buy Matteo something. I don’t give a shit.”

That stops her.

Her expression changes the second I say her son’s name.

Fuck.

I shouldn’t know that kid needs anything.

Shouldn’t have noticed the sneakers he was wearing last time were getting too small.

Shouldn’t know he likes chocolate milk and hates pickles.

Shouldn’t know Gabriella cuts his burgers in half because he gets frustrated when they're too big for him to hold.

I shouldn’t know any of it.

But I fucking do.

Because apparently while I’ve been telling myself to stay away from this woman, I’ve been memorizing her entire goddamn life.

Her gaze stays on mine.

“You can’t just throw money around every time you scare off one of my customers.”

“I didn't scare him.”

She stares at me.

“Havoc.”

“He chose to leave.”

“Because you looked at him like you were deciding which body part to rip off first!”

I consider that.

“Wasn’t deciding.”

Her mouth falls open.

“I already knew.”

“Havoc!”

A laugh almost gets out. Almost.

Fuck, she’s so pretty when she’s pissed.

Those dark eyes flash. Her cheeks get pink. Even that golden-brown skin across her chest flushes darker above the low neckline of her shirt.

Monster notices too.

Honey Girl.

Yeah.

Fucking gorgeous.