Page 10 of Knot that Simple

Never alone.

Teresa tried to warm me many times as we prepared for this trip, but I didn’t really believe it.

She used to lean over my counter with a faraway smile and tell me tales about her first heat with her husbands. I nodded and pretended to accept that as my future, but I couldn’t truly imagine that three men were going to give me one look and swear to be loyal for the rest of their lives.

Yet, when it came from Tadgh’s lips, I believed it.

He was kind and soft mannered. His accent felt good in my ears, and he was attentive with Alice. I wasn’t sure if this was really forever; I wasn’t ready to believe they wanted me for life. Still, I believed they believed, if that made any sense.

I closed the door softly behind me, not locking it in case Alice wanted out. I was going to have my eyes glued to her door anyway, so no stranger was getting in.

When I stepped outside, the other two waited for me. Lorcan had such a severe expression on his face, I almost took a step back. I threw a soft smile his way, begging for a reaction, yet he gave me nothing.

He turned away from me, and I let out a sigh. How dumb was I? Why did I want to make him like me?

Before I got too deep into my issues, Oisin tipped his head toward the firepit, and I followed them down the yard. The couple there before us was just finishing up, so we took their place around the fire.

Once again, the wind proved itself fierce, and I shook, tugging my sleeves down over my hands.

“Is this supposed to be summer?” I said.

Tadgh laughed. “Irish summer.”

Ugh. It wasn’t exactly what I’d call summer weather, not anything like where I came from, but it wasn’t exactly unpleasant. Yes, the wind was cold and unexpectedly strong, but it was also beautiful here.

Everywhere I looked, I found beauty. The green, the stone walls, the sheep walking about a field. It was like being stuck in a picture book.

Not long after we settled, Mary came back with a tray filled with sandwiches and cups of tea. The men said their thank yous, praising her as they took the first bites, and Mary blushed.

“I’m heading to bed now,” she said. “Just leave the cups in the kitchen for me when you’re done.”

We nodded and thanked her once more as she made her way to the main house. See? Nice. People were nice here, and this whole thing deserved a chance. I nodded to myself like a lunatic while I ate my sandwich.

The three of them polished off their food quickly. They looked comical on the small garden chairs—Lorcan barely fit. The legs were sinking down into the grass. Alarmed, I checked mine and, of course, I was sinking too.

But I wasn't tall or imposing like them. No, I just had a fat ass.

With a sigh, I let it be. There were more important things to worry about, like how I was supposed to have sex with them all.

I closed my eyes and sipped my tea. I told myself I wasn’t going to think about the sex logistics. I thought about it way too much before getting here, and it only brought me anxiety.

Another reason why I thought they weren’t really serious about me. I was just a woman, one who didn’t even have that much experience.

They were three older men. They were good looking Irishmen. They could have anyone in the world. Then again, it wasn't my fault I looked how I looked. I was just me, and I was happily minding my own business until they called me here. It wasn't my fault our blood matched or something. All I could do was be myself. I had nothing else to give. If they kicked me out after a week, I’d tell Teresa I tried.

Yes. I tried.

I breathed out slowly, letting the calm take over. I did have a place to go back to. When they eventually realized I was just a single mom and waitress, not some sex fiend able to entertain three men at the same time, I could pack my bags and go back to the village.

Or maybe even go to Brazil. I’d always lived on the border, but I never traveled to the big cities. Maybe Alice and I could try our luck somewhere like São Paulo—get lost in the crowd, forget this omega business, and just be normal people again.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

I turned my head slowly to face Oisin, his eyes worried.

“I—” I opened my mouth, ready to lie, but then I thought…why?

We all knew what was going on here. Why couldn't I just tell them?

---