Page 139 of Knot Their Starlet

“I think you’re forgetting the way Eli couldn’t keep his eyes off you. In a good way. I think you’ll be surprised by him if you give him the chance.”

I blink at Leo, taking the shirt he’s offering me.

Give Eli a chance?

As in... like what Leo and I have? And what Beck wants?

“Wow, I’m collecting you guys like Pokémon,” I mumble, pressing the backs of my hands against my burning cheeks. The movement inadvertently brings the massive fabric of Eli’s t-shirt to my nose.

I take a deep inhale of his intense blood orange scent.

My eyes flutter shut at the memory of Eli carrying me into Leo’s room last night. I can’t believe for a second I forgot about the feel of leaning against his chest, of his massive arms carrying me like I weighed nothing.

“Wait a second,” I whisper, my eyes flying wide. “Did Everett show up last night?”

“Yeah, he came to work out the plan for the Cameron Foster situation.” Leo nods.

“I’m so sorry about that, by the way. Seriously, we’re in this mess because of me. I⁠—”

“Nothing for you to apologize for. Should he agree to our terms, this could be a really good thing, actually. You’re still our Lucky Duck.” He brushes a strand of hair that’s fallen out from the braid behind my ear.

“Am I dreaming or... did he also come to tuck me into bed?”

“He did, with Eli.” Leo nods, his lips quirking up into a grin. “Looks like you are collecting us like Pokémon.”

“Great, okay. Wow.”

What a way to wake up.

“You know you don’t have to make any decisions now,” Leo says. “I know it’s a lot. Just... know you have options here.”

“But options are stressful,” I whisper, pursing my lips. “What if I pick wrong?”

“You could never pick wrong. Not for something like this.”

“What am I supposed to do, Leo?” My chamomile scent takes on some bitter notes as my anxiety starts to pick up. “I don’t know what to do.”

Ezra and I became close because we were often the only two kids our age at the elaborate parties our parents would throw. It seemed like an inevitability that we’d end up together, especially considering how supportive my mom was of the two of us. And that whole thing blew up in my face.

I think there’s still a big part of me that’s terrified about how far I’d have to fall if things didn’t work out with me and these guys, because they’re treating me so well.

What will it be like to go back to my apartment, spending every night alone, when I know what I’m missing out on?

“If you really want my advice...”

“I always want your advice,” I say, letting out a soft snort. “You’re like—the chillest person I know.”

There’s a faint blush on his high cheekbones at my words.

“I think you should just go with the flow. Don’t close a door before you even have a chance to see what’s past it. You don’t have to make any firm decisions now or put labels on things, but we’re here for you. In whatever way you need us.”

“Okay, I can do that,” I nod, swallowing hard. “When you put it like that, it sounds a lot less intimidating.”

“Living life can be a lot, especially when you’ve never really lived it for yourself.”

His words sucker punch me. Right in the gut.

Because he’s right.