Page 44 of They Love Me Knot (Starsfalls Omegaverse #2)

Daphne

M y hands are shaky as I reply.

That’s totally fine. Take as much time as you need.

I wipe my sweaty hands on my dress before thinking better of it, hurrying to grab a towel to wipe the sweat off my dress and hands.

I set my phone on the counter before I drop it, and watch the screen for a reply, fisting my shaking hands in the towel.

I’m sorry, Daphne. You and I can go out tonight regardless, but I’m hoping if we give him a bit more time, Ciro will be able to join us. I know he’s been looking forward to our date.

Was he looking forward to it? He barely agreed to the date to begin with, Alister had to practically twist his arm.

Should I just cancel? Tell Alister I’m sick?

Maybe I shouldn’t say anything at all and wait to see if Ciro joins us.

I text back before I second-guess myself.

Okay, let me know if anything changes. I’m excited to see you later.

I lock my phone after making sure the volume is up. I won’t sit around staring at it and stressing.

I open my pantry and start pulling out ingredients.

Is it smart to start stress baking when I’m already dressed up for my date? No.

Did I get ready several hours early because I was so excited and nervous? Yes.

Am I too lazy to change into a different outfit so I don’t ruin this one? Also yes.

I vaguely recall buying an apron at one of the cute stores downtown when I first moved here. Now’s the perfect time to finally use it.

I dig through the miscellaneous kitchen cabinet until I find it, still wrapped in a bow. I shake out the apron, ruffles flaring out along the edges.

I don’t remember it being this frilly. I’m not sure that’s very practical in the kitchen since they might get in the food if I lean too close or accidentally touch the burners if I’m not paying attention.

It is cute though.

I put the apron string over my head and wrap the ribbon around my waist, tying it in a bow. I brush down the front to straighten out the wrinkles. Ooh, it has pockets. I stick my hands in, admiring how nice and deep they are.

I make it through weighing the dry ingredients, and I’m about to cream the butter and sugar together when my phone dings. I almost knock the flour bag to the floor in my haste to grab it.

I’m so sorry. Apparently, there’s an issue with the HVAC unit at one of the greenhouses.

The plants in there are very fragile and need the right temperature.

Ciro hasn’t found anyone else to fix it tonight, so he has to do it.

I’m passing along his apologies for not being able to make it to our date.

He would message you himself, but he’s preoccupied with calling around for replacement parts.

Ciro can join us next time. I’m very much looking forward to seeing you tonight, Daphne. See you soon.

I drop the phone back on the counter, staring at the flour fingerprints on the screen.

I don’t know whether I’m relieved or not. It sounds like a plausible reason to skip out on a date. But what if it’s actually just an excuse and Ciro hates me and thinks I’m not good enough for his pack but I get attached to Alister on this date and then it’s terrible when I can never see him again.

I should just cancel right now.

Unless Ciro really does have to work, then it’s shitty to cancel on Alister for no reason.

I need to eat some cookies.

I pop open the tin Sterling gave me last night and rifle through the parchment paper. I hit metal without feeling any cookies.

I pull out all the parchment paper and find only crumbs!

No, this can’t be. I ate all the cookies already??

I brace my hands on the counter and hang my head. Everything’s hitting at once. Is this karma for having such a good night last night? Now everything is going wrong to balance things out?

I remember my baking and look over at the butter staring at me, uncreamed. Well, that just won’t do.

If I keep baking, I’ll have more super vanilla cookies in like half an hour (if I skip chilling them).

I can survive that long.

I steel myself and pick up my phone, determined to make the best of the night. I won’t spiral thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I’ll focus on what could go right: I eat cookies and spend time with a guy I like.

That’s all you need in life.

I text Alister back and tell him I’m looking forward to our date and wishing Ciro good luck.

I wipe the flour off my phone and read the next step on the framed recipe Sterling gave me.

I can’t believe I cookied so hard I’m going to be late for this date. They were so delicious, I lost track of time and ended up eating like a dozen of them.

I tap my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, waiting for an older woman to cross the street. She stops every few steps to wave at me to thank me for letting her cross. I smile and wave back, but I’m stressing about how long it’s taking.

I’m already late, so I guess another five or ten minutes won’t hurt.

After another wave to my new acquaintance, I wonder if I should put my car in park and help her .

I roll down my window to ask, but she interrupts me before I can.

“Thanks for letting me cross, dear. I could’ve gone through the town square and avoided this intersection, but it’s so much quicker to go this way,” she says.

“Yes, this seems much faster. Do you need any help getting across?” I ask.

“Oh no, I may be old, but I’m still as fit as can be, don’t you worry.”

“Okay then, have a good evening!” I say, tap-tapping away.

Just as she gets to the sidewalk and I’m about to drive off, the woman calls out again. “You know what the secret is?”

“No, what?” I say in confusion.

“It’s all the walking you do in a small town. Keeps you healthy.” She slaps her ass for emphasis and then wanders off before I can come up with a reply.

A car honks behind me, startling me out of that enlightening conversation.

I carefully go through the intersection and watch for the Calcifer’s Hearth sign, parking as close as I can (the only open spot was at the back of the lot. Ugh. I better not get sweaty on the walk in).

I rush into the restaurant, smoothing my hair so I don’t seem as frazzled as I am. I look around wildly for the host stand, but just as I spot it, Alister steps out.

He’s wearing another crisp suit, all sharp angles, the dark color making his light eyes stand out in contrast. On second glance, it’s more casual than the business suits I usually see him in, less boardroom, more day out in the city sans tie .

Alister stops in front of me, looking me over before greeting me.

The peppery, misty Queen Anne’s lace scent is definitely coming from him, so enticing I sway closer.

“Daphne,” he purrs, “it’s so good to see you again. You look lovely, as always.”

He pulls me into a hug and says in a low whisper, “I especially like this outfit.”

“Thanks,” I breathe back, pressing myself against him.

I clutch the back of his jacket as I feel just how much he loves my dress.

My plan of making it through one date unfucked this weekend is in serious jeopardy.

Alister steps back, looking me over again appreciatively, before leading me into the restaurant with his hand on the small of my back.

He takes us out onto a terrace overlooking Starsfalls and the Fossfell Mountains beyond. The view is so good, it distracts me from sniffing at Alister.

I knew Starsfalls was a quaint little town, but from here it somehow looks even better.

Maybe it’s because you can see so much of it at once, the cute little stores lining the downtown streets, main square with its gardens and gazebo, and further out, the townhouses with their Gothic architectural style.

I hardly pay attention as Alister takes us to a little table and helps me into my chair.

I’m thankful once again that I moved here. I got the perfect job at the perfect store in the cutest small town, and now I’ve found some amazing men.

That brings me back to why I’m here, and I turn to find my date watching me.

“The view is amazing. Thanks for bringing me here,” I say.

I notice it’s just us on the terrace, our table the only one out here.

“I’m glad you like it, I hoped you would. This restaurant has one of the best views in town, and now it is unquestionably the finest,” Alister says, still gazing at me.

I blush and look down, still unused to compliments, not to mention the intensity with which he said it. My other dates complimented me too, but Alister has such strong alpha energy, it has my omega extra flustered.

A server comes out, and Alister places our drink order after asking me what I want, all without ever looking away. It’s like I can feel the weight of his gaze, his undivided attention.

I don’t look away either.

After the server leaves, Alister holds out his hand, and I’m quick to put my hand in his. He lets out a short, rumbling purr as he closes his hand around mine, running his thumb across my knuckles.

“How has your weekend been?” he asks.

His touch is so soothing, and I’m so busy smiling at him in pleased stupefaction that I almost don’t realize he’s waiting for an answer.

“Good! It’s been good,” I hastily reply.

He smiles, not commenting on my awkward pause. “What do you like to do on weekends, stay home and relax, go out?”

“I like visiting the local shops and walking in the park, but most of my hobbies are inside and revolve around flowers. I did just get into baking, which is actually why I was late. I’m sorry about that, by the way. I lost track of time.”

Alister laughs. “I didn’t even notice. The time I spent waiting to see you again felt endless already, so what’s a few more minutes compared to that. I regretted not taking you out last night.”

“I’ve been excited to see you again too.”

I won’t say just how much I’ve been looking forward to our date, or how I was so eager I got ready super early, but then was nervous and started stress baking and had to dig out this cute, dangerously frilly apron.

I blink, confused that I’m still seeing the frills. Did I not—did I not take the apron off ?