Page 65 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

The idea of her separating from her pack because of me, even for a little while, doesn’t feel right. “I’m sorry if I’m inconveniencing you.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Do you do that a lot?”

“Do, what?”

“Apologize for shit that’s not your fault.”

“Uh…yes?” I say.

“Why?”

My friends know what happened with Pack Parker, but this woman is a stranger.

My idol, yes, but a stranger. I shouldn’t want to tell her, but truthfully, I’m sick of holding it in.

Keeping my past to myself like I’m the one who did something wrong.

The more I admit what happened, the better it feels. Like purging poison.

“My exes were awful. They made every little thing I did feel like a problem.”

Travina nods solemnly. “Small-dicked weasels. We’ve all been there.”

A laugh stutters out of my mouth, unexpected and all the brighter for it. “Exactly.”

“Well, I can tell you that Pack Morgan is nothing like whoever they were. Honestly, they’re the best guys I’ve ever known.”

“Ah, I see what this is. Connor paid you to talk him up,” I tease.

“He wishes. Dude’s so smitten, he’d probably spend his life savings on an air writer just to get your attention. My pack sure didn’t get me a one-on-one lesson with a designer as a courting gift. Erin, either.”

My chest warms with affection, especially because I know she’s right.

This is more than flowers delivered to my dorm or favorite foods shipped to my house.

Connor’s been listening to what I say, paying attention to all the little things, even when I thought he wasn’t.

I think I mentioned Travina once, some offhand comment during my heat that I barely remember.

Yet, he did, and he used that knowledge to do something incredible.

Not only is he supporting me and the business I’m working so hard to keep, but he found me the tools I needed to improve and used whatever connections he had to make it happen.

The truth of just how far he went for this courting gift settles the last bit of nerves from whatever Connor’s surprise is.

I refuse to think of it as a secret. It’s just something I don’t know yet.

Travina grins, twining her arm through mine and pulling me farther into her space. “Alright, enough boy talk. Show me your designs and let’s get to work.”

Anyone who’s said don’t meet your idols , hasn’t met Travina Bellencourt. She’s fucking amazing and I’m not just saying that because I have a minor crush on the woman.

I knew her designs were top tier, but beyond that she’s beautiful, funny and so easy to talk to.

Without thinking, I’ve told her so much about my past, the shit I went through with Pack Parker and my goals for the future.

Through it all, she’s shared her own journey to happiness as a beta with alphas of her own.

We’re two people who lived through too much and came out the other side ready for peace.

Two lonely souls who found partners that light them up inside.

Connor and Pack Bellencourt poked their heads in a few times to make sure we were okay but kept their distance.

The snacks they delivered were delicious, but I barely ate, too focused on soaking up every second I could.

After the fourth interruption, Travina was less than pleased and locked everyone out so we could focus.

She even kicked out her omega, Erin, though only after a very thorough kiss and a scent mark that was borderline obscene.

By the time sunset rolls around, I’ve not only got three new designs planned for my store launch, but I’ve also learned a ton about how Travina works. The way she makes her prototypes to the little tricks she uses when sewing, all things I can add seamlessly into my design process to level up.

Like all good things, our day comes to a brilliant end with the sound of a frustrated knock on the door.

“Let us in, Travi. I want my omega,” Connor snaps.

I must have the dopiest expression because she rolls her eyes and shouts over her shoulder. “No! We’re not done.”

“Come on, bella. We made dinner.”

Our heads pop up, stomachs growling in unison at the smell of warm pasta and decadent sauce.

“That smells so good,” I whisper.

“This is bullshit. They know I can’t ignore carbs.” With another wistful glance at our chaotic sewing circle, Travina stomps over and throws the door open. “What time is it?”

“Half past seven,” Her alpha, Valentino, says from where he leans against the wall. “We left you alone for far longer than promised, but it’s time to say goodbye.”

Connor stands behind him, smaller but far more intense. His hand lifts in obvious request and I don’t even try to stop myself from walking to him. As soon as I’m wrapped in his arms, he nuzzles into my neck. “Hungry, angel? You missed lunch.”

I admit it. Food makes me go full-on omega puddle.

“Oh, fuck you, Connor Morgan. You’re not allowed to be adorable with my new friend.”

“Maybe I’d be less annoying if you hadn’t stolen my girlfriend all fucking day, Travina .”

They snipe at each other as I try to hide my smile in Connor’s chest.

My alpha’s fighting over me. Also, Travina called me her friend. HER FRIEND.

And make no mistake, she needs friends outside her pack. The woman’s seriously lacking.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Valentino says. “Travi, say goodbye so we can feed you. Erin’s losing her fucking mind right now.”

One mention of her omega is apparently all it takes to melt that steel backbone. “Fine, fine. Whatever. Daphne, I’ll let you go if you promise to come back.”

“Absolutely. Not only did I learn a lot, but I had so much fun.”

“Same. Tell the boys I said hi. We miss having them around.” She swoops me into a hug, stealing me from Connor one last time as we head for the door. “Hey, Daphne?”

“Yeah?”

She offers me that same warm smile she gave Connor. “All my friends call me Travi.”

My eyes burn as I try not to let my emotions overwhelm me. “All my friends call me Daph.”

“Good luck, Daph.”

“See you later, Travi.”

Connor wraps my hand in his, pulling me into his arms with a smile for me and a don’t try your fucking luck warning glare for our friend as she shuts the door.

The moment she’s out of sight, I gush. From gusset width—the standard is way too fucking small—to ideas for new collections we brainstormed, I unload absolutely everything that happened. Connor listens to it all with a smile on his face, bemused and entranced at my word vomit.

When I finally stop, I’m breathless. “I love her.”

“Not more than us, I hope.” When I throw him a teasing smile, he rushes me, hauling me into his arms and propping my ass against the hood of his car. His mouth drops along my neck, giving ticklish kisses over every inch of skin he can find. “Tell me you like us more.”

“Yes!” I laugh, pushing him away. “I like you more.”

“Good. Food?”

“Please,” I groan. “I’m starving.”

Connor shakes his head, long hair falling into his eyes. “I fucking knew I should’ve interrupted sooner. You two are menaces who refuse to do basic care tasks like eating on time.”

“Okay, rude.” I cross my arms and look away, trusting he’ll hold me up. “My eating habits are none of your business.”

“Only when you’re trying to starve yourself.”

This little asshole. “I was distracted!”

“Exactly.” Connor drops me to my feet, keeping me caged against the metal. “I’m not trying to pry and if you want me to back off, I will, but I enjoy taking care of you. It makes me feel like a good alpha when I can provide for you.”

“Even little things like food?”

“Especially that,” he whispers hoarsely, eyes locked on my mouth. “Watching you eat whatever I give is unexpectedly arousing.”

“You get horny when I eat?”

“I get horny when you breathe, angel.” For a moment, I think he’s going to spread me across the car, but my stomach growls, and he pulls away laughing. “Dinnertime.”

After I’m tucked into the car with Connor’s hand firmly on my lap, I let my mind wander.

Today was perfect and as much as I want to share it with my friends, I wish they’d been here.

I can see Travi and Mellie becoming the real menaces.

Her melting over Lacey’s sweetness and posturing with Kai until one of them breaks.

I just feel like she’d fit in so beautifully with us and from what she said about Erin, she would too. And they already know the guys.

Nate did redo the backyard for me.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Connor asks softly.

“My friends would like Travi.”

“She’s the best,” he agrees. “Do you want to invite everyone over sometime? Travi doesn’t have a lot of friends, and I know Pack Bellencourt would love to meet the women who threatened to ruin our lives on day one.”

“I refuse to be embarrassed about how far my friends will go to protect me.”

Connor squeezes my hand. “Good. We’re all glad you have people in your corner. Now, are you going to answer my question?”

I want Travi to meet them. If I’m honest, I want Pack Morgan to as well, but something holds me back. What if the guys don’t like them? There’s no way I can go back to the way things were with Pack Parker. My friends are family and not being able to have them comfortably in my life was hell.

Let’s be scared together.

“I’m worried you won’t like my friends.”

“Do they love you?”

“Yes.” There’s no doubt in my mind.

Connor smiles easily. “Then what’s not to like?”

I tell him about Pack Parker’s rules for the group, the words rolling off my tongue smoother and easier than I ever expected.

He frowns so hard, I have no choice but to run my finger along the furrow until it settles again. “They isolated you.”

Did they?

It’s never registered to me before how locked down Pack Parker had me. I never left the house without one of them, which meant I hardly left at all. Despite having a car of my own and the money to go wherever I wanted, my exes made it seem like existing outside our pack made me a bad omega.

“Yeah. I think they did.” How did I not notice?

Connor presses my hand to his lips, a gentle kiss on the back warming the chill the revelation brought. Twining our fingers together, he sets them in my lap, his palm a reassuring weight against mine.

“I know the only way to prove we’re different is with time and patience, but I need you to hear me when I say we’re not your exes. If you want your friends over, invite them. We won’t mind.”

“I know.” Choosing to believe him is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the easiest.

“Good. Now, tell me what you want and watch me make it come true.”

This time, I bring Connor’s hand to my mouth, kissing over his knuckles until he’s squirming in the driver’s seat. “How do you feel about a family barbecue?”

He gives the gentlest smile, so full of affection I want to explode. “I think it sounds perfect, angel.”