Page 15 of Knot the Witch Next Door

“Where were you? Our guests arehere.” Claudia’s eyes narrowed when she looked at me. “And what is Carmilla doing here? This is a private dinner party.”

Alwayssowelcoming. I did my best not to cringe.

“Milla’s just going to help me with my hair and makeup. No need to get snippy about it.” Rosemary took off her flannel jacket and draped it over her arm. She took my hand as if holding it would ensure I wouldn’t be sent away.

“Mom,” Deacon said smoothly, directing her intensity towards him. He took off his leather jacket and hung it on a hook by the door. “Why don’t you take me in and introduce me to your guests?”

To the Omega.

I wanted to scream, but I swallowed it back with a wee croak.

Claudia sighed and gave him a once over. “You’re filthy from the farm, but since they have been here for nearly twenty minutes, I need to bring you out as you are.” She looped her arm through Deacon’s and glanced at Rosemary. “Ten minutes. Then you must be down in the parlor.”

Deacon flashed me a smile before he escorted his mother out of the kitchen. Everyone visibly relaxed and let out a collective breath of relief. Rosemary led me upstairs to her room and shut the door. She laid back against it and groaned.

“Sorry about Mom. You know how she is.”

“It’s okay. Everything’s got to be perfect for her, and we’re going to blow her heels off with what we can do with you in ten minutes.” I kept moving, because if I didn’t, I would pull out my hair knowing that Deacon was meeting that other Omega right now. I put my camera on the bed then slipped into the walk-in closet and pulled out the azure tea dress with the V-neck. “You will look properly classy.”

“You’re my hero.” Rosemary shed her sweater and jeans and sprayed herself with a spritz of perfume before I helped slip the dress over her head.

“Sam was right. Absolutely gorgeous.” I stepped back and let her straightened the skirt. “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride. Sam will fall to his knees in worship when he sees you in your wedding dress.”

Rosemary giggled and swept over to her vanity to start brushing her hair out. “I’m just eager to get the whole weddingover with and go on the honeymoon. Now when you get married, girl, you’re going to blow everyone away.”

I snorted and took the brush from her to do her hair. “Yeah, I’ll just attach a veil to my witch’s hat and hex anyone who says I don’t look pretty.” We laughed because we both knew that I had imagined what a witch’s wedding dress would look like. Not that I would be getting married any time soon. The only Alpha I was interested in was being paired with someone else right this moment. My smiled died fast as my heart grew heavy. “What’s it feel like, being so in love?”

“It’s magical. I’ve known Sam for two years now, and every time I think of him, my heart beats faster and I can’t stop from being happy. Even on the really tough days, he can make me smile.” She glanced up at me as I gathered her hair to put into a simple and elegant French Twist. “Why do you ask? Have you met someone?”

Met someone? I’ve more than met them. I just had sex with them in the corn maze! I had to bite my tongue to keep everything from pouring out of my mouth. “No. When do I ever get a chance to meet guys? The only time I ever get to go out without my family is with you. The thrills of being an Omega.”

Rosemary reached up and gave my hand a squeeze. “Oh sweetie, you’ll meet that special someone some day. Any guy would be incredibly lucky to have you.”

Not Deacon. I would ruin his life. I could only live vicariously through my best friend. “When did you know for sure that you loved Sam and he loved you?”

“I don’t know…” She pursed her lips as she thought about it and handed me pins as I put up her hair. “I think maybe it was that one day I had to put Mrs. Long’s poodle down at the clinic. The dog was such a sweetheart, but the cancer was too bad, and she was suffering. I was ready to give up my internship and do something stupid like become an accountant. I was in thestorage room crying, and Sam came in, didn’t say a thing, just held me. He held me and hasn’t let go since.”

I remember how torn up she’d been about that. I was away at school, so I couldn’t be there for her. “I’m so glad you have him. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

Finishing off her hair, I picked up a light foundation pen and touched up a few spots on her face. When Deacon held me in the tree house, I’d let myself imagine it was forever. Just for that one night. It felt so right. But even if he didn’t want to let go, I had to push him away. I wouldn’t sentence him to a life estranged from his family because they didn’t approve of me, and I wouldn’t take any chances on losing my bestie.

A bit of blush and eyeshadow, and I nodded. “All ready.”

Rosemary stood and hugged me. “You’re the best. Thank you so much for everything today. If I survive this dinner party, I’ll be over later to help with the packaging.”

“Text me if you die.” I gathered my stuff and motioned to the closet. “Don’t forget shoes.”

“Oh! Right.” Rosemary hurried to her closet and slipped on a pair of silver heels. “Thanks again, Milla. I’d better get down there before my mom sends a SWAT team to come get me.”

She rushed off, and I took a deep breath. I’d go home and have dinner with my folks and then check the photos I took. Packing up my products would take the rest of the night after that. Best to keep busy and not think about a certain sexy Alpha having dinner with some pretty Omega from Burlington.

I crept out of Rosemary’s room and down the hall. It was straight down the hall to the rear stairs which led down to the kitchen. I just had to keep moving. But my feet slowed as I passed by the main stairs and heard laughing.

Deacon’s laughter.

Not a polite, possibly even fake laugh. But his real deep from the belly laugh.

I internally yelled at myself to get out of the house, but I was already stepping down two stairs on the main staircase and crouching to peer between the posts.

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