Page 114 of Knot So Social

And he’s a golden retriever, for fuck’s sake. Never heard of one with an aggressive bone in them.

“Come on then,” I call, sinking down on my haunches.

He lifts his head, tail sweeping across the floor in long mop-strokes.

I slap my knees and he bounds over, the happiest doggo in the world. Reminds me of Jock, who’s all bounces and overflowing energy. I miss his happy greetings in the evenings. Can’t imagine Tracey’s taking him out for walks.

The retriever rolls over on his back for belly rubs.

“I’m not sure you’re a good boy,” I say sternly, scratching his tummy. “You knocked my brother over, you know? And you’re so friendly, you’d probably ask a thief for belly scratches.”

He whuffs and wriggles on his spine.

My chest burns and I cough to clear the achy sensation. It doesn’t go away. “I bet you’d like to meet Jock,” I mutter, scratching the stupid doggo. “You two would run circles all day.”

The dog rolls over with a yip and dives his wet nose between my knees, sniffing eagerly. Oh shit. They have nose receptors ten thousand times stronger than humans.

“Enough of that.” I push his head away.

He comes right back, sniffing at my crotch. Stupid dog. Quickly I rise, shoving his head away once more before packing up my things. I jot a few notes in my phone to create the invoice, then give up before finishing. Like hell I’m gonna charge my scent match a dime, even if she looks like she can afford it.

I’d rather know that she remembers me now and then whenever she notices one of the tags. Well, if Jeremy and her start dating, I guess we’ll be seeing more of each other. I shove my fist over my mouth and bite down, a groan slipping out past my fingers.

That’ll be torture for sure.

I give the fur baby one more scratch before marching myself out of the house. Half an hour later, I’m sitting in the van watching a show on my phone when Jeremy comes swinging out on his crutches. I climb out, but one whiff of the Jasmine on his skin makes me wish I hadn’t.

“What’s the story?” I ask, unable to meet his eye.

He winces. “Well, I don’t think I can drive.”

“Wonder why.” I snort. “Are you coming with me, or . . .?”

Jeremy toys with the bottom of his shirt, cheeks flushed. “I kinda need some stuff from home, like my medication. Do you mind ferrying me home and back?”

I shake my head. Just as well, since I’m not sure I could sleep in the same room as him and that scent all over his body right now. Not without having erotic dreams all night, at least. “Let’s roll then.”

He ticks his head toward the house. “You don’t wanna say goodbye?”

I curl my lip. “Nah.”

I seize his crutches and throw them in the back. Better wind down the windows as I get in, or I’ll be licking the traces of her off his skin.

Jeremy watches me, his brow furrowed as I rev the van. “You okay?”

“Perfect. Better than okay. In fact, I think I’m ready to go back to work.” And contact my lawyers.

I want to sever everything from my messy past cleanly.

Why? I can’t answer that, because I know it’s hopeless. Willow and I don’t have a future together. I didn’t peg myself as a guy who pines, but here we are.

His jaw works a few times. “Want to talk about what happened back there?”

“No thanks.”

He nods and falls silent, and I accelerate away from the omega’s house. With every yard that rolls away under the tires, my heart aches a little more.

A few blocks on, as I’m about to exit the quiet suburbia, Jeremy slaps the dash.