Page 77 of Knot a Bad Idea

“Finally,” she says, smiling. “The four of us are together. I feel like I’ve been chasing after the three of you all night.”

Donovan nods, and the corner of his lip quirks. It’s the closest I’ve seen to a smile from him in a long time. “We shouldn’t have to stay here much longer,” he says. “Honestly, I could use a break from all this.”

“Oh, you mean from sulking and moping around?” Hunter says cooly, and April glares at him.

But to my surprise, Donovan ignores the barb. “I mean from all…this.” He motions to the ballroom and dancing. Then he turns to me. “I wouldn’t necessarily object to any board games tonight if we decided to leave early.”

I breathe a sigh of relief internally.

Maybe my words got to him.

Maybe he’s…trying.

Hunter raises an eyebrow in surprise. “Honestly? Fuck yes,” he says. “I only came here for the chocolate fountain. And to see you in that dress, babe.” He turns to April and gives her a wicked smirk, and she laughs shakily and smacks his arm.

“And it would be nice to get away from Connor,” Donovan murmurs under his breath.

I frown in confusion. “Connor?” I repeat. The only Connor we know is the coffee company owner, and Donovan has never had a problem with him.

“What the hell did Connor do?” Hunter asks, and Donovan scowls.

“Nothing,” April sighs. “I like Donovan’s idea. Let’s get out of here.”

I look between April and Donovan, trying to figure out exactly what happened with Connor.

“If nobody tells me what’s going on, I’m going to break the chocolate fountain over someone’s face,” Hunter declares.

Donovan shakes his head. “He tried to sell April his coffee.”

He says it like it’s the gravest sin imaginable.

Hunter looks stunned for a second, then bursts out laughing.

“Yeah, let’s get the fuck out of here,” he chuckles. “We don’t need to say goodbye to anyone. Everyone saw us, we’re done. Your jealousy knows no bounds, man.”

Hunter slips a hand around April’s waist as we head out of the party, and I keep a close eye on Donovan.

I wish he would stop lying to himself. He’s ridiculously possessive of April, but pretends like he isn’t.

He acts like he doesn’t worship the ground she walks on, yet he would set himself on fire to keep her warm.

The scowl is still on his face when we all enter the limo that’s waiting for us. “What?” he mouths to me.

I shake my head.

At least he’s trying, for now.

I hope my words had some effect on him.

Especially now that he knows I’m in love with April…

Maybe he won’t fuck this up for us.

15

APRIL

We spendthe night playing board games, and slowly, my mood improves.