Page 42 of Knot Convenient

“Bond? What?” Jenn was shocked, her brows up to her hairline, and I realized I’d forgotten to tell her. “I…but you…what?”

“Oh god, where is my head? I’m sorry. I totally forgot to mention it. I’m bonded now. I have a mate. How amazing, right? And with the bond being so new, it’s really demanding some one-on-one time with Summer.”

“Summer…is your mate? How come I’ve never heard you talk about her before? Is she even from around town? Are you all right, Emmett?”

I didn’t blame Jenn for being confused. It had happened rather quickly, and I hadn’t mentioned that our pack was using a matchmaking service, since that information had felt private.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked up to her, putting a hand on her elbow. “I’m sorry I’m springing this on you, but we lucked out. No big emergencies we have to deal with around here. And hey, you’ll get a half day too.” Jenn’s eyes were still wide, a little glassy, even, and she blinked several times. “It’s fast. I know. We used a matchmaking service, and it actually worked out. I’ll bring her in soon so that you can meet each other.”

“Meet? You want me to meet your…mate? A matchmaking service? You have plenty of choices here…” Jenn was clearly still thrown, so I just nodded with a grin. “Right. Right. Okay, well…I do have some paperwork that I need to fax, so…I’ll, umm, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay, sounds good, Jenn. See you in the morning.”

I headed out after that, texting the pack group chat to say that I was going home and suggested takeout for dinner. The guys promptly responded, agreeing that was a great idea, Marshall mentioning that he might try to get off early too. All in all, it was shaping up to be a great afternoon.

The entire drive home, I was grinning like a lunatic. Every inch closer I got to my mate, the more excited I became. I really had been an idiot thinking I could go to work a couple of days after bonding.

I got home and was greeted with the fragrance of cookies baking as soon as I opened the door. Once I stepped inside and set my keys down in the catch-all dish on the console table, I immediately noticed how sparkling clean the place was.

“Holy shit.”

I didn’t think the house had looked this good since the day we all moved in. It was clear Summer had been busy. I stepped farther inside the house, drawn toward the kitchen, and then Summer was coming down the stairs, Milo gurgling happily in her arms.

“You’re home already?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.” I laughed.

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she walked up to me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that how it sounded. I’m thrilled. It’s just a surprise.”

“I wanted to take a half day to be with you.” Summer’s smile stretched wider, and I pulled her against my side, looking out over the immaculate first floor. “You didn’t have to do all this. We didn’t bring you here to be our maid. None of us expect you to cook and clean for us all the time.”

“Eh.” She shrugged, still smiling. “I was bored. Milo was napping, and I couldn’t exactly leave the house with him in his crib, so I cleaned. And made cookies. I can’t believe you have chocolate chips in your pantry.”

I laughed, holding Summer close. “That’s Noah. He used to make stuff for his class occasionally, but the school doesn’t allow homemade treats anymore, so they were just collecting dust in the pantry.”

“Well, the chips have been thoroughly used now.” Summer was beaming, the glow of exertion in her cheeks.

I stepped back, taking Milo gently from her arms. “You’re incredible, and…” I leaned in, kissing the top of her head, her hair smelling like cleaning supplies and sweat over her sweet tea scent. “…I think it’s time you took a relaxing bath of your own. You deserve it. I can watch the munchkin if you want.”

A flicker of anxiety registered behind her eyes, and she looked between Milo and me, worrying her lip between her teeth. “Are you sure? He’s okay now, but the teeth are still bothering him. I don’t want you to have to⁠—”

“I’m totally sure. Mama needs a break, and I have two capable hands that can look after this guy for a while,” I said, lifting Milo playfully, which made him giggle in that amazing way only babies managed.

Summer’s expression softened, and she cocked her head, staring at the two of us with a gentle smile. She sighed, blowing out her breath for several seconds. Her eyes closed for a minute, then she nodded to herself.

“Okay.” She looked up at me, chuckling. “I was actually going to just take a bath with him because all I can smell is cleaning products. The ones you guys have are strong. Even with the freshly baked cookies, it’s overpowering.”

We both laughed, and I kissed the top of her head again. “Go enjoy your soak. I’ve got the cute little monster.”

She tickled under Milo’s chin, then reached up onto her toes to kiss me. I blinked, a little surprised, but Summer was already heading up the stairs to take a bath.

It was all so blissfully domestic.

I thoroughly loved it.

I brought the baby over to the couch and sat down, leaning backward against the arm. Milo sat on my stomach as I held him around the waist. Immediately, he went for my tie, snatching the thing up and putting it in his mouth.

“Oh, buddy, that can’t taste good.” He truly did not seem to care and kept gnawing on the fabric. I just laughed, tickling him as he nibbled, which filled the room with those baby giggles again.