Page 199 of Knot So Social

And here we are, carrying her outside for the first plunge.

For the first time in five years, Willow’s left the house.

I walk faster as she clings to me and shakes. But fuck if she isn’t the bravest person I know. Alessandro holds the pool house door open for me and I sail inside.

“You did it, Willow!” I cry, swinging her around. “You went outside!”

Her entire body quivers, and then she lifts her head. “We . . . we made it?”

A potent rush winds through her bond, and she promptly bursts into tears.

“We really made it!” she sobs into my shoulder.

Jeremy and Alessandro hug her tight into me, the three of us cheering and squeezing her. Willow hiccups and laughs as Alessandro wipes her tears and offers the tissues he had on standby.

The room blurs as I hug her, praising her over and over. For some people, it’s just ten steps. For her, it might just be the biggest milestone of her life.

“Shit. I love you three so much. Do you know that?” Willow blows her nose and looks down at me. "Thank you for making this possible."

Of course, after hearing that, we all need to kiss her and praise her some more.

Limp with relief, Willow slips down my body, but she doesn’t release her grip entirely, keeping my shirtfront trapped in her tight fist. I don’t mind one bit. In fact, I’ll happily carry her around for the rest of my life.

Mr Shares rears up and pops his front paws gently on Willow, joining in the celebration.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmurs once she’s finished petting him, scrubbing at her tears to look around. “It’s everything we dreamed of.”

The azure pool twinkles in the sunset, the tiled surrounds, deck chairs, potted ferns, and small palms giving off luxury vacation vibes. With our Hawaiian print board shorts and celebration in our hearts, we might as well be on a tropical island.

Jeremy goes back for the pizza and sets it out on the table. Then he turns on the mood lights hanging in the rafters over the pool and the outdoor lamps hidden along the edges of the garden beds.

“Oh gosh,” Willow croons, touching her fingers to her mouth. “It’s so pretty. I think I want to live out here forever.”

“Is that because you don’t want to cross the lawn to go back inside?” Jeremy asks.

She presses her lips together, her sheepish look as darling as it is telling. I hook my arm around her waist and spin her around.

“Don’t you worry about that, baby,” I say. “I’m here to be your feet wherever you go.”

Plus, the guys and I already brought blankets out here with the plan to wait until she falls asleep before carrying her back inside. Baby steps.

Willow melts into me and I touch my lips to hers.

“I might want to do my next heat out here for real,” she murmurs against my mouth.

“I love that idea.”

She grins.

“And I love you,” I purr, tugging her closer.

“Come on, enough kissing!” Jeremy groans. “Leave that for later! We’re starving!”

Willow and I exchange amused glances before I release her. She keeps hold of my shirt front, leading me over to the table where Alessandro’s pouring soda and opening boxes. When she releases me, it’s only to switch her grip to his shirt.

“Oh, I have some news,” Alessandro says, pausing with a cup in one hand. “My Mammina called today. She says hello to everyone, by the way. The big news is, she’s booked a ticket to America.” He grins, his expression a little fragile. “She’s coming to meet everyone.”

“That’s good news, right?” I ask.