Page 82 of Knot What I Expected

“Smart kid.”

I stare at him. He stares back. And suddenly the noisy little mall feels far too quiet. Because there’s something in his expression that wasn't there two weeks ago.

Or maybe it was.

Maybe I just refused to see it.

Interest.

Want.

Something heavier than either.

My hidden nature stretches beneath my skin toward him, responding to something I don't understand and absolutely cannot afford.

I look away first. I have spent years protecting Matteo from dangerous males. Running from one in particular.

I cannot start fantasizing about another just because he has beautiful eyes, leaves ridiculous tips, and buys my son cookies. No matter how safe I feel sitting across from him.

Especially because of how safe I feel sitting across from him.

That might be the most dangerous part of all.

Chapter 8

Havoc

Cookies at the mall somehow turn into a trip through the drive-thru and an impromptu picnic at the park.

I’m still not entirely sure how the fuck that happens.

One minute, I’m sitting at a tiny mall table watching Matteo demolish three different kinds of cookies while his mother keeps shooting me suspicious looks over the oatmeal raisin.

The next?

The kid announces he’s hungry.

Again.

I stare at him.

“You just ate half a cookie the size of your head.”

“I’m still hungry.”

“Matteo,” Gabriella says, but there’s laughter in her voice.

“What?” He looks at her with complete innocence. “Cookies aren't lunch.”

I point at him.

“Smart kid.”

“You are not encouraging this.”

“Encouraging what? Basic nutritional awareness?”

Her amber eyes roll.