I look at Eli, who is watching me with those warm brown eyes.
I look at Fallon, who is leaning against the doorframe with a relaxed, open expression.
“You like me?” I repeat, feeling lightheaded.
“Yes,” Knox says. “But we’re not going to pressure you. We’re not going to make things awkward. We just wanted you to know that we’re figuring out this new dynamic.”
“So… you don’t want me to quit?” I ask, needing to be absolutely sure.
“No!” they all say in unison.
“Absolutely not,” Eli adds.
“Hell no,” Fallon says.
“Then why does it feel like I’m walking on eggshells?” I ask, my voice shaking. “I don’t get it. One minute you’re hot, the next you’re cold. I’m not used to this. I’m used to people being direct.”
“We’re trying to be respectful,” Knox says. “Calisse!This is all so new to us. And we didn’t want you to find out. Eli is rightfully pissed after he learned about it.”
I look at Eli who has taken off his glasses and is nervously cleaning them up.
“Hey,” I tell him.
“Hey, sweetheart. I’m sorry today was so terrible. We’re trying not to make you uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable?” I look at them.
I think about the dream. I think about the way my heart races when Knox looks at me. I think about the way Fallon makes me laugh, and the way Eli makes me feel safe.
“I… I don’t feel uncomfortable,” I admit. “I feel confused. Because I thought I was just Eli’s… whatever. But now you’re saying…”
“We’re a pack, Amber,” Eli says softly. “And we’re all drawn to you.”
I look at Knox. The intimidating, rigid, controlled Alpha who just admitted he likes me. I look at Fallon. The fun-loving, tattooed Alpha who is attracted to me.
I take a deep breath. “Okay. So… you like me. And you’re not firing me. And you’re figuring it out.”
“Yes,” Knox says.
“Okay,” I say again, my heart frantic against my ribs. “Okay. Then… figure it out. But can you please stop being so weird about it? Just treat me normally. We can talk about the… feelings… later. This is a lot for a girl to hear.”
Knox blinks, then actually smiles—a small, genuine twitch of his lips. “Normally. I can do normal.”
They are freaking attracted to me? What the fuck? I need to have a whole conversation with Eli.
What the fuck?
“Okay,” I say, clutching the envelope with my paycheck to my chest. “Because this is huge and I need a minute to process it, too. I really need this job. And I really like working with you guys. All of you.”
“We know,” Eli says. “So can we all sleep on it, talk tomorrow?”
“Of course,” I say.
“Good,” Fallon says, grinning. “I’m so glad we cleared that up.”
Knox clears his throat. “Now that that’s cleared up, can we please get back to work? I think I hear a customer.”
We walk out of the office together, the tension in the air finally breaking, replaced by something new. Something exciting. And terrifying. But mostly exciting.
