Page 89 of Knot So Social

Her rejection bites deep, but I nod. “I think I understand why.” I squeeze her hand and smile. “But how about a friend? Would that be okay? I don’t have many friends either, signorina.”

A soft laugh escapes her. “Is that right? You need a friend?”

I grin up at her, unrepentant. “Sì. You already have Mr Shares. I’m the lonely one.”

The dog, hearing his name, wanders over and sits on her foot, leaning his weight on my leg.

Willow rolls her eyes, clearly detecting my bluff, but not calling it. “Fine. Friends it is.”

“Deal.” Friend-zoning myself can’t exactly be called a win, and yet elation fizzes inside me like champagne. This omega needs a friend more than she needs a lover, and I can provide that for her. And in the process, I’ll prove that not all alphas are assholes.

The setting sun casts a blaze of orange fire across the yard. I bounce upright, reluctantly releasing her hand. “I’d better get going.”

She looks up. “See you tomorrow.”

“Sì. Tomorrow it is.”

And if I have any say in the matter, the day after that, and then the one after that as well.

Chapter twenty-eight

Willow

I keep smiling for no reason as I feed my dog and wander into the kitchen to make myself something. A few of Jeremy’s delicious muffins chase away my munchies as I prepare lettuce cups with some cheese and crackers.

It’s just food, but he may as well have left a piece of himself here in my home.

Feels like my heat unlocked something else in me. Or maybe it was less the heat and more the alphas who’ve walked into my life at the same time. Both men displayed a tenderness I haven’t felt in over a decade. Or maybe ever.

Although I can’t let my guard down. Never again will I fall back to being dependent on an alpha. I’d rather die.

I carry everything back to my desk and settle down. Between Jeremy going to hospital and Alessandro’s visit, I haven’t achieved much in my business. Investing can wait until I’m ready, but the online courses and social media content can’t.

If heats will be a regular disturbance now, I need to line up more content in advance. The idea brings my thoughts full circle back to Jeremy. Can I request him for next time? Dare I? That’s assuming he wants to see me again after his horrendous injury. Any more time spent together, and my resolve might weaken.

The strength of the feelings formed in the space of half a week intimidates me, and I think he felt the same way.

And now Alessandro’s confessed the same. I haven’t met an alpha who wasn’t a security guard in years, but suddenly I have two of them looking at me like I’m someone special.

“Don’t fall for it,” I whisper.

My voice echoes in the silent house, and I shake my head. I’ve got work to do.

Online, a dumpster fire waits for me. My personal assistant is panicking, my video editor has sent three emails about some sort of codex problem, and I have 3,000 comments piled up.

“Good grief,” I mutter, clicking through my social media notifications. “This is why you don’t take a break, Willow.”

I work my way through five hundred comments, mostly from female profiles thanking me for various tips or asking for more information about my courses. Their messages help me lock into work mode.

You’re so perfect! I want to be you when I grow up!

Inspirational! Keep doing what you’re doing *clapping hands*

You saved my life. Literally. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I pause and close my eyes. These are the moments I live for, the ones that make this life all worth it. Not because someone’s praising me, but because my effort’s making a difference.

Even if what I’m offering is a semi-lie, it’s helping someone.