Page 165 of Knot So Social

“Good idea,” Alessandro says, mouth ticking up. “Since we already set the standard for how they end.”

I hold up one finger in warning. “Not today, thank you very much.”

All three alphas snicker. I pop my fists on my hips around the folder. “Well? Are we going to keep our hands to ourselves today?”

“We’ll try,” Jeremy says earnestly.

Alessandro whines a little. “Cara mia, you torture us. How are we supposed to keep our hands off such a beautiful omega?”

Joel pulls my chair out. “Sit. Eat. We’ll talk after you’ve got food in your belly.”

Alessandro prepared a fruit salad, set out with yogurt topped with cinnamon and honey. He’s also added granola and oatmeal. We manage to keep our conversation G-rated, and the pleasant family atmosphere fills up my heart.

Later, we gather on the couches, and I flip open my folder. “All right, down to business. I thought we could start with a financial audit, so I know what to put in the prenup agreement.”

Jeremy gets his phone out. “Okay, so finances are our omega’s number one priority.”

“I wouldn’t say that, but it is important to me.”

His serious expression slips. “I’m only teasing, Willow.”

I roll my eyes.

Alessandro puts his hand up. “I have a question. A prenup is short for prenuptials, sì? Does that mean you are considering nuptials with us? Maybe it’s my English, but is that marriage?”

The way his eyes light up at the idea has my heart stirring all over again.

I cough into my fist to buy myself a minute. “Well, the term can be used for de facto relationships as well. For dating that turns serious.”

“I’m serious,” he assures.

“Me two,” Joel chimes in.

Jeremy lifts three fingers in silent agreement.

I chuckle. “Can we please stay on topic. Now, let’s talk finances. Jeremy?”

“My truck.” He shrugs. “Oh, and my rent bond of twelve hundred.” He flicks through his phone. “And a grand total of one hundred dollars and fifteen cents. First pay check from Heat Wave pending.”

The look he shoots me over his phone makes my belly flutter.

“And 401k?”

“What’s that?”

My mind blanks. I tally up the numbers in my head and look back at Jeremy. He stares at me blankly. Not joking this time.

“Any retirement fund?” I prod gently. “Shares? Life insurance?”

“Nope.”

Smothering my shock, I turn to Alessandro. “You have a business registration and insurance, yes?”

“Oh, sì. Let me find it.” He scrolls through his emails and shows me his latest registration certificate. And two bank accounts totaling four thousand dollars, most of that in his business line.

When I turn to Joel, he has more information for me. A thriving electrical business, a retirement account that seems low for a successful middle-aged person, half a property, and no investment accounts.

I grip the edge of the couch, a little winded. Of course it’s normal for people to have little to their name. The vast majority of the population live hand to mouth. That’s the entire reason behind why I started Boss Omega—because so many omegas didn’t have the skills to grow their own futures.