Page 42 of They Love Me Knot (Starsfalls Omegaverse #2)

The cook brings our food over, and he doesn’t look twice at our attire.

I dig into the small corn tacos, a mix of fajita beef and shredded chicken and pico de gallo, washing it all down with a prickly pear limeade.

We finish our meal without mishap, getting through the usual date chatter without spontaneously breaking out in fucking.

When we’re done, we sit in silence, and I assume that’s because they’re as worn out as I am. Until I catch Kieran and Sterling communicating silently, looking away from each other when they notice me watching.

I fidget nervously, unsure what they’re thinking (and also kind of jealous of their pack bond).

Kieran clears his throat before saying, “We went a bit out of order tonight, but hope you still enjoyed our date.”

“We had a lot of fun getting to know you,” Sterling says, blushing.

It’s so cute that he’s blushing after everything we did (I pretend I’m not blushing too).

“It was amazing. I love tacos, so dinner worked out anyway,” I say.

“Next time we’ll try not to destroy your outfit though,” Kieran says.

“Or just tell me the plan, so I know whether or not to wear something I want to keep.”

Kieran laughs. “Noted. Now, I’m not sure how to end our date…”

“Oh. Right,” I say.

I’ve not spent the night with anyone since the breakup. For some reason that seems like a bigger deal than just sleeping with, er, fucking them.

My phone chooses that moment to ding loudly, and I’m reaching for my purse on autopilot because it’s the special ding I set for messages from Anicka. I pull my phone out but stop myself from swiping it open, realizing I’m being rude and we’re in the middle of a conversation.

“Sorry, that was my work ringtone. I think I trained myself to answer it automatically. Um, about tonight.”

“It’s fine, Daphne. You can look at your messages, we’ll still be here,” Kieran says.

“No, I’ll check it later,” I say, but I can’t stop my eyes from flicking down to the dark screen.

Anicka never bothers me outside of work hours unless it’s important, but surely there’s not an emergency I need to respond to right this second.

Unless the flower fridge broke and we need to get a generator going so the flowers don’t overheat and die.

Or maybe she found out I tested the couch springs.

Kieran lifts my hand up. “Check your messages.”

I surprise him with a quick kiss before opening my phone. Kieran strokes my hair while I read.

I know you have the day off tomorrow, but I just got a message that some flowers for the festival are coming in early, and I’ll need help making room for them.

Poppy is going to be there, so it’s fine if you can’t make it, but if you want to join us, I’ll provide lots of food and coffee as fuel.

I’ll be starting at 7 a.m. when the truck is scheduled for delivery, so you’re welcome to come in any time after that if you have a spare hour.

For the what? What festival?

I must say that out loud because Sterling says, “Is it the Flowerfalls Festival? That’s a few weeks out, but it’s the only festival coming up soon.”

I look back at him, speechless. How does everyone know about this but me? Flowers are my whole thing, and there’s a festival just for them?

My phone dings again.

It’s short notice, so it’s no problem if you already have plans. We’ll do plenty of festival prep during regular hours, so you won’t be missing out .

“What’s this festival like? Where is it? Who’s involved? How big is it?” I fire off my questions at the alphas.

They react to my stress, Sterling wrapping his arms around me and purring, rumbling so hard it vibrates my seat. Kieran does the same, leaning over to pull my head against his chest.

“It’s one of Starsfalls’s many festivals, running for about a month. Most local stores take part either by decorating or selling things on theme. The city closes the roads downtown for a few weeks to run a street fair,” Kieran says.

“The bakery stays open, but we also have a little booth at the fair. I make extra desserts, all featuring some type of flower. Queen of Hearts and the other florists and flower farms in the valley come and show off their flowers. There will be tons of floral-themed goods like candles, art, perfume. The festival is a way to showcase local businesses while celebrating flowers,” Sterling says.

“The local artisans always get in on the festivals. I show new paintings at the Flowerfalls Festival every year. You’ll love it, Daphne.”

“Kieran paints the flowers on my display signs for the bakery. They’re amazing at drawing people in to try the food.”

“I think people would buy your desserts even if they were in brown paper sacks and you sold them out of the back of a van,” Kieran tells Sterling wryly.

“Maybe the locals who know who I am! The out-of-town visitors don’t know Flourist’s reputation, and your art helps attract them,” Sterling argues.

I’m so distracted by how cute they are together that I almost forget why we’re talking about this to begin with.

“Wait, so it’s a festival just for flowers? Do you remember whether Queen of Hearts sells small bouquets or if they do anything bigger?” I say.

“Queen of Hearts always has a big booth at the street fair, and I think they sell every kind of arrangement, big and small. Anicka usually goes all out,” Sterling says.

I’m tapping on my phone before he finishes talking.

If there’s a huge event where we show off what Queen of Hearts can do, I need to get started on prep like yesterday. I have to sketch ideas, some classic bouquets and new, striking arrangements to demonstrate the versatility of flowers.

But what is Anicka stocking? Do I need to ask if we can order more?

I send several quick messages to her.

Of course I’ll be there!

What flowers are coming in?

Should I be designing arrangements for the festival?

Sorry, I don’t know much about the festivals in Starsfalls. I went to a few of the holiday ones, but don’t know anything about the Flowerfalls Festival specifically.

I’m not sure what type of prep you normally do for it.

I wait patiently for Anicka to reply, my foot drumming an opposing rhythm to the purrs surrounding me.

I didn’t realize I hadn’t discussed the Flowerfalls Festival with you. I can tell you about it tomorrow. We have plenty of time to prep, so don’t worry about it right now.

Enjoy your evening!

What!! That’s it?

She’s just going to drop this bombshell on me and then say goodnight??

Do I need to start drawing up plans now or not??

A firm hold on my wrist distracts me from my flower spiral, and I look up at Kieran. “Don’t worry, Daphne. Anicka has been doing this for decades. There’s no need to stress about it.”

Sterling combs his fingers through my hair. It’s not fair that Sterling’s nimble fingers and Kieran’s logical words can affect me like this. I’m already feeling calm and content.

Eventually I muster up the energy to ask, “Are you sure I don’t need to be planning for this festival thing now?”

“I’m sure she has plans well in place,” Kieran says.

“What was she messaging you about this late?” Sterling asks delicately.

“She asked me to come in tomorrow morning and help with an early delivery of flowers for the festival,” I say on a moan, the scalp massage feeling too good.

“Do you have to go in early?” Kieran says.

“Yes,” I answer without thinking.

“Let’s get you home so you can rest up then.”

“I didn’t mean to cut our evening short,” I say, realizing I’m still on a date.

I hadn’t decided whether I was going to invite them home .

“Can we take you out again soon? Maybe Sunday? Or is that too soon?” Sterling asks nervously.

“Sunday is good,” I say.

“Yes! Okay, great. That’s good. That sounds good,” he says.

Sterling kisses me enthusiastically, and I smile into our kiss. I want someone who’s excited about being with me and isn’t afraid to show it.

When we eventually break apart, Kieran pulls me close. “I’m looking forward to it,” he says before kissing me.

As Kieran drives us back to the restaurant, I decide it’s now or never.

“Um, I wanted to mention I met some other guys around the same time I met you, and I’m dating them too. I really like you and wanted to ask if you’re okay with me dating other people?” I blurt out.

“Of course, that’s fine with us. As long as we get to see you too,” Sterling answers quickly, and I smile at him before looking at Kieran to gauge his reaction.

“That’s not a problem, we’re open to more packmates,” he says.

“Okay, good. I really, really like you guys.”

“And Sterling and I aren’t seeing anyone else, just so you know.”

They help me into my car after making sure no one is around to see their nudity.

Kieran puts his hand on the doorframe and leans in. “So, we have some gifts for you if it’s not too much?—”

“I want gifts! I mean, no, it’s not too much, you can give me things!” I interrupt him to say.

They laugh, so hopefully my enthusiasm didn’t scare them off. It’s well-known that omegas are partial to gifts and trinkets .

Kieran pulls two gift bags out of their trunk, passing one to Sterling.

“It’s not much, but you inspired me, and I couldn’t rest until I painted this. I hope you like it,” Kieran says, handing his bag to me.

I very graciously admire the decorative floral bag before tearing the green tissue paper out to get at my gift.

There’s a small canvas inside, and I pull it out to admire the painting of a vanilla orchid, its thick leaves zigzagging up a tall tree trunk with tiny, bright vanilla flowers peeking out.

I run my fingers over the ridges of paint, mesmerized. The texture is almost like real petals.

“Wait, am I not supposed to touch it?” I say, yanking my hand back. I know you’re not supposed to touch the art in museums.

Kieran laughs. “You can touch it all you want. I can always repair it if something happens.”

“I love it so much, Kieran. It’s amazing. Like you could pick the flowers out of the canvas. Thank you.” I throw my arm around his neck to hug him without letting go of my new favorite painting.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s my new favorite scent,” he says, hugging me back.

Kieran kisses me and moves aside for Sterling to take his place.

Sterling hands me his gift, a different floral bag with pink tissue paper, and I tear into it.

The first thing I pull out is a framed piece of paper. I read through it, finding a handwritten recipe for infused vanilla sugar cookies.

“Is this the recipe for one of the cookies you gave me?”

“Yes, it’s the final version of the vanilla cookie recipe I developed after meeting you. I made them to taste like you. Well, your scent. I hadn’t tasted you, uh, been with you at that point,” Sterling says, blushing.

“Those were delicious! I ate all of them the day you gave them to me. I mean, I ate some of them. And then ate a few the next day. I still have some, actually, enough to last me through the weekend. Thank you, Sterling,” I say.

“I made you more so you wouldn’t run out,” he says.

I look in the bag and find a cookie tin.

“Thank you!” I say, jumping on him in a hug.

After Sterling and I disentangle, we say our goodbyes, and I go home.

Alone.