Page 5 of A Knotty Choice: The Seduction of Sharon

I skimmed over the paper, reading bits and pieces and finding nothing suspicious, so I signed on the line at the bottom.

“Perfect!”

Emily took the sheet I’d signed from the top of the stack and slipped it into her apron before returning everything to where she’d gotten it. I turned back to the box, but when I stepped forward I realized there was a weight dragging on my hip, and I spotted a manila envelope inside the black pocket of the one I wore.

“Oh, I think someone left something in here.”

My fingers closed around the little package, the thickness of it making my brows rise as I lifted it to hand over, but Emily was shaking her head.

“That’s your pay for the night. It’s easier just to stuff it in the aprons to be sure everyone gets it.”

I flipped open the end of the envelope, my eyes going wide at the stack of cash inside. I hadn’t been sure how I’d be paid for my time, but I certainly hadn’t expected a wad of cash right after I showed up.

I looked over at Emily who was picking up the bucket again and acting like she was about to leave for more ice.

“Aren’t you scared I’ll just run with the money?”

She smirked as she tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“Not if you ever want to serve here again. Plus, once you see who’s coming, you won’t even think about leaving.”

I was still staring at her when she slipped across the room and disappeared through the door, wondering what she could mean. Obviously if I left with the money without doing the work, I’d never have a chance to work here again, but what if I didn’t care about that? I wasn’t the type to shirk what I’d agreed to, but there were plenty of people out there who wouldn’t think twice about taking the cash and running without putting in the work.

And who was coming that was so special I’d want to stay if I’d been considering bailing on the job?

Chapter Three

Sharon

The deep throb of the base was a constant pulse, like a second heartbeat reverberating through my chest. It had begun before the first guests even arrived and continued as the room filled with men dressed in sharp suits. Most were alphas, although a few betas mingled amongst the larger dynamic, and many seemed to sport golden skin, with dark hair and eyes that gave them an exotic look. I’d caught snippets of another language being spoken here and there in the room, but I hadn’t been able to pinpoint exactly what it was.

“Take this to the stage and make sure they don’t need anything else. Alex has finally arrived, and they’ll be gathering up there soon.”

I met Emily’s eyes as she placed a bottle of amber liquid on my tray. The fancy glass didn’t have a label, because rich people were too good for that apparently. The party had been going on for over an hour already and I’d begun to wonder if the guest of honor was ever going to show since the throne had remained empty, but I was surprised to be the one sent to the stage.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take it? I can cover the floor. Or I can find Sarah.”

Once people had started arriving, the two waitresses had divided the floor in half, each taking a section, and leaving me to float around the room to catch anyone they missed. The other waitress who’d been supposed to help never arrived, but we’d managed to keep things under control so far.

“No, the stage is yours tonight. They shouldn’t be too needy, so you can still float and help on the floor when you’re free, but they’re your top priority.”

A sparkle of nerves danced through my stomach but I shoved it away. It wasn’t like I was some newbie. I could handle one table, even if it was up on a stage, in view of the entire room.

“If you say so. Anything I should be aware of?”

The tilt of her lips and brows changed as she lifted her own tray, an amused glitter in her blue eyes.

“Don’t be afraid to have fun. These parties are held in private rooms for a reason.”

She disappeared back into the theater before I could process her cryptic remark. I’d been a bit nervous at first, but thought I’d hid it well, and the only thing I could think of was that it had been more obvious than I’d thought. Once I’d realized all three of us were omegas and the partygoers mostly alphas, there had been a moment when warning bells went off in my head, but nothing unexpected had happened. I’d told myself to relax and pasted on my usual smile and had even started enjoying working the floor. I just needed to settle into the new experience.

Before I could lift my tray to follow, my phone vibrated against my leg. I pulled it out of my apron to see a message from Cadence.

“Everything going okay? Do I need to send Leo down?”

I huffed before typing out a response and tucking the phone back into my apron. I loved that she was checking in on me, but I knew she had more important things to worry about.

“You know your alpha isn’t going to leave your side. Everything is fine, and with what they paid me to be here, I doubt there’s anything that would make me leave. You don’t have to worry.”

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