Page 73 of Knot So Social

“Gosh, that sounds hectic. Phew, okay.” Her breath rattles over the receiver. “We were getting real worried when we didn’t hear from him. I’ve got customers calling all over the place with unfinished jobs.”

“That sounds difficult. Have you got technicians who can get out there?”

“Yes, but they can’t cover all the jobs.”

“Okay, good.” I scratch my head. This isn’t really my thing, but I’ve heard Jeremy managing his business over the phone enough times. “I suggest you call all the waiting clients and let them know you’re short staffed due to unforeseen reasons. Offer them a 10% discount if they can wait two weeks, and if they don’t want that, offer them the contact details of three other electricians. Any new jobs, book four to six weeks out.”

“He’ll take that long to recover? Is it serious?” The worry in her voice sounds like more than just professional concern. Joel has good people around him, even if he’s forgotten it momentarily.

“I’m not sure, to be honest. But let’s give him some breathing room just in case.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m glad you called, Mr Williams.”

“My pleasure, I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”

“Before you go, there’s a couple of issues around the office I’m not sure what to do about. Can you help?” She describes a few maintenance issues that, while not urgent, could be holding them back.

“Text me a list and some photos. I’ll come by in two to three days after I’ve talked with Jeremy.”

“Thanks so much! That’s a weight off my mind.”

Off her mind perhaps but added to mine. I’ve never known my brother to fall apart so much he’d abandon his business. That’s his pride and joy. Which shows how much of an impact his fiancé had on his life.

I collect some hot muffins in a basket and cover the rest with a tea towel. After letting Mr Shares back into the house and refilling his water dish, I pad down the hall to the nest.

When I set the muffins down beside the nest, Willow mutters under her breath and rolls onto her back, flaxen hair tangling around her throat. Her lids flicker as if she’s dreaming. I reach out to stroke her head and she relaxes.

A spasm runs through my heart. It’s no mystery really, how a woman could steal a man’s heart and then totally destroy it. Seems we Williams boys love hard and fast.

This woman isn’t mine to love.

The real problem is, my heart doesn’t know that.

Chapter twenty-three

Willow

My dream morphs to reality in hazy stages, slipping back and forth like a pendulum until I realize the hand wrapped around my waist is real. While I piece together who I’m sleeping with, I rub the soft white wool on my blanket between two fingers.

My heat lurks like an oncoming bushfire; the heat radiates across me without burning. Yet.

“Hi,” Jeremy murmurs, his eyes closed. “How you feeling?”

Ah. The alpha who puts me at ease. I inhale his herb scent and appreciate how the apothecary aroma suits his healing mannerism.

“Good.” I smile and stretch. “Just as you said, it’s like riding a bike.”

He chuckles, eyes opening to reveal big, gorgeous hazel orbs just a foot away. After a few more sleepy breaths, he leans in and kisses my forehead. “Well, before you get back on and pedal, how does a bath sound?”

I groan. Stretching already told me I’m sticky with sweat and who knows what else and the idea of hot water sloshing over my skin sounds like Heaven.

Jeremy rises. Leaving. My heart lurches and I latch onto his arm, stopping him. I stare at my fingers wrapped around his wrist, the dark hairs on his arm tickling my palm. Why did I stop him?

He leans close, brushing hair from my eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, I just . . . don’t leave me?” I sound pathetic in my own ears, begging him to stay.

I’m an independent woman who doesn’t need anyone, and yet here I am, clinging to a man I only just met. Makes me wonder which is the real version of myself.