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Even though he’s been physically absent, he’s made sure I know he’s thinking about me. Texts a few times a day with pictures of things I like. Treats like fancy buttons and beautiful hand-dyed lace showing up at the storefront or my house. He even got these incredible ornate scissors that are useless for anything but looking pretty. I love them.

Yet, I’ve been most excited about our date today. We’ve never spent one-on-one time together and I’m curious to see how it goes.

“Everything good?” Dez asks, nuzzling into my neck. He’s been touchier since I met Mama B but still hasn’t spent the night at my place. I want him in my nest. Connor and I aren’t there yet, but I’m definitely ready to take that step with Dez.

I twist, giving him a slow kiss. “Yep.”

Connor hustles down the stairs, tugging on a shirt and nearly tripping in his haste. It’s not until he pulls his head through that I see the phone and my stomach twists.

He’s always so busy. He doesn’t have time to go out with me.

I know I feel this way because of Pack Parker, but I can’t help wondering if I should cancel. I don’t want Con ignoring something that needs to be done and I’m not sure I can handle being the reason his day goes sour.

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll handle it on Monday. Of course, have a good weekend.” He ends the call, rubbing his face. Then his head lifts, and he finds me exactly where I said I’d be. “You’re here.”

He says it so reverently that anticipation steals some of the nerves.

“I’m here.”

A boyish grin is there and gone as Connor stalks forward, rounding me into a hug that feels like it’ll never end. He dives for my neck, muscles relaxing as he inhales my scent. “Missed you.”

How am I supposed to respond to these men telling me that all the time?

Dez shoots me a soft smile as I stroke Connor’s spine. “Missed you too. You’ve been busy.”

He grumbles. “Sorry. We have a client who’s very…”

“Pushy?” Dez suggests.

“Annoying.” Nate comes down the stairs, bleary-eyed and glaring at the alpha who refuses to let me go.

“Needy,” Connor finally says, shoving Nate’s face away when he tries to give me a kiss. “Don’t subject her to your morning breath.”

“She’s smelled it before.” Yet when Connor glares, Nate gives my cheek a respectful peck. “Hey, kitten.”

“Morning, Nate.”

“Anyway,” Connor says, stealing my attention back. “I set up a new system for this client and they don’t want to deal with it.”

“Oh.” My fingers twist the hem of my shirt. “It’s okay if you’re too busy?—”

“I’m not,” he promises at the same time the others shout, “he’s not!”

Laughter breaks the tension, and I decide to let it go.

“Breakfast is almost ready. Connor set the table. Nate cut the fruit. Daph, come here and help me finish.” Dez claps, splattering pale pancake mix on his dark cheek by mistake. I reach over and wipe it away, only to be snatched out of Connor’s grip and pressed between the stove and Dez. He nuzzles my hair, sighing happily. “There you are, little muse. Right where you belong.”

There’s no way to hide my smile.

We work together to finish breakfast, and I’ll admit, it’s nothing like I expected and yet, it’s everything. Connor kisses my neck as he reaches for the plates. Dez swoops in to taste test of a destroyed pancake then sways us together like we’re dancing. Nate’s thigh presses to my side as he chops away. It’s such easy, comfortable intimacy. A relaxed connection I’ve never had.

It’s family, and it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted.

After eating, Nate refused to let me go, citing anothersave the turtlesmantra to get me to shower there, and Dez tried to coax me to see the greenhouse that’s finally being built in the backyard. They were still arguing about who got to go first when Connor snuck me out the back.

After leaving the door open for him, I take the quickest everything shower possible. It leaves me glowing and soft, prepared in case it’s time to take things to the next level with Con. I’ll admit, I’m nervous. We’re still getting our feet under us after what happened before, but I don’t want to dance around each other anymore. There’s too much fear between us and someone has to take the first step. Might as well be me.

Although, I can admit, it’s easier to trust him with my body than it is my heart. That’s still a little bruised.