Page 21 of Knot My Secret Santa

“Good thinking. Thanks.” I stood, still trying to come up with a way around the law. “I’ll keep you updated on the details, but for now, I need to finish up a few things before we head north.”

“Alright, Nate.” Malcolm nodded and headed out of the room.

I remained for a moment, fiddling on my phone. Avery wouldn’t think an escort necessary, right? She always played the good girl, but I knew there was a naughty vixen under there.

I texted her:I’m about to call you and Noelle to my office to offer you an emergency project for a tiny space. It requires us to travel to Bellingham. I’ll need your help to get out having an escort.

Sending the message, I returned to my office and called Noelle, telling her to bring in Avery with her to see me. I wasn’t going to give Avery any time to overthink the whole chaperone thing. She knew we didn’t need one and why, even if the rest of the world didn’t.

A minute later, Noelle knocked on my open door and led the way into the room. Avery stood quietly behind her and raised her brows just a little at me.

“Hey Nate, what’s up?” Noelle looked a little worried. Probably wondering if I was going to give further critique to Avery’s presentation last week.

“Come in. Please, take a seat. I want to discuss a job that has suddenly come up. Just a small one. But I think Miss Bell would be perfect for it.” I motioned to the two chairs in front of my desk. I rarely had people in my office as I preferred to do so in the meeting room. This was my space to get away from it all. Yet I always had two chairs for anyone I had to call in.

“Really? How exciting!” Noelle took a seat, and seeing Avery’s hesitation, she chuckled. “Come and sit, Ave. He’s not going to bite.”

A hint of a smirk twisted up my lips. I might. I really just might.

Avery’s cheeks flushed as if she knew what I was thinking and hurried in to sit next to her aunt.

“So, this is related to the Franklin project. Lloyd’s wife Olivia has gone into heat, and she’s decided that his walk-in closet is where she’s going to nest.”

“A closet?” Noelle snorted.

“Olivia needs to make that space livable. She just started going into heat, so she may be in there for only that time, or, if she falls pregnant, it could be the whole nine months.” I looked directly at Avery, trying not to smile as I thought about getting her away and having her all to myself. “I think with your clever designs for tiny houses, you’re the right person for this job. It will likely only take a few days.”

Noelle twisted to face her niece and took her hand. “This is perfect for you, hon!”

Avery grinned just as widely. “Yes, I love the challenge.” She turned to me. “Did they give you a budget? Do you have the specs on how big this closet is? I can get started on it right away.”

“I don’t have any specs. You’ll see for yourself when we get there. I’m going to assume Lloyd is going to let you spend however much his wife needs.” Now here was the tricky part. I cleared my throat. “Noelle, I know you’re Miss Bell’s official escort, but I need you here for the Feldman project. Do you think either of her parents could spare some time off to go up to Bellingham with us?”

Avery started hesitantly, “Mom is doing final exams this week, and Dad—”

“Bellingham!” Noelle nearly exploded out of her seat. “Jude, Stella, and Margo all live there. The three of them can split up the duty.” She smiled at me. “Those are my nieces and nephew. Three of my brother’s five kids. I’m sure any of them would be happy to have you in their homes.”

My gaze darted to Avery. She needed to help me here. Nibbling on her lower lip, she took out her phone and looked at a few things. “Well, I think Margo might be off on a ski trip with her new beau right now. Jude is working, but maybe Stella. She might be good. But we can’t go to her little one bedroom apartment. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind a night or two at a hotel.”

“Stella would love that.” Noelle bobbed her head and then pursed her lips. “But you’ll need someone with you on the trip back and forth. I could take a few hours off to drive you.”

As much as I didn’t want it, I would take a few hours alone in my car if that got Avery to Bellingham. Thankfully she had this one.

“Aunt Noelle, I can’t ask you to do that. That would be like four hours in total. Besides, there’s choir practice tonight. Which I’m sadly going to have to miss.” Avery sighed and tilted her head. “There’s a shuttle bus which has special Omega seating. I took it one time with Mom for the weekend. It doesn’t cost very much.”

Avery taking the bus? No way. Not happening. Reining back my Alpha protectiveness, I realized what she was doing. “I would pay for you to take a car with a Beta driver, if you wanted. You don’t have to sit on a bus.”

“A car would be too expensive.” Avery shook her head.

Noelle nudged her niece. “Take the boss man’s money, hon. You deserve a little luxury.”

I didn’t know if Avery was very good at acting or if she was uncomfortable with the idea of luxury, but she squirmed before nodding. “Alright. We’ll do that. I’ll call Stella and let her know I’m coming, and then text her the address of the hotel later when the arrangements are made.”

“Excellent!” Noelle clapped her hands and stood. “This is a great opportunity, Ave. Nate, you chose the right intern for this job.”

“Yes, I think I have. I need to start making arrangements.” I motioned to the still open door as my way of dismissing them. At least two days with Avery away from here. Just the two of us alone in a hotel room. The things I planned on doing to her….

Avery stood and said her thanks before leaving. Noelle paused at the door, watching her niece leave and then came over to me with a very serious expression. My heart started to hammer in my chest. This was not like her. Did she suspect something?

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