Page 16 of Knot that Simple

Not today.

My mouth parted in awe when I realized nothing looked like before. The shops were closed, and everyone was waiting for us right in the square. As they saw the car, a round of applause started.

“Oh God,” Gabriela whispered.

Oh God was right.

“Should I park, or?” Lorcan asked, looking at Gabriela.

She took a fortifying breath, shaking her head. “They look excited. Let’s just… Yeah, let’s…” She motioned to the street, telling us she wasn’t comfortable, but she’d do it.

I wasn’t going to do anything just because she felt pressured, but I understood this was a big deal for our people. Right in front, I saw Cormac, Cathal, Rian, and Senan, the other pack without an omega. They sent their blood samples at the same time we did, but no one had matched yet.

I looked at Oisin and saw his eyes finding them as well. This meant a lot for them. It meant a lot for our whole village.

“Ready?” Lorcan asked all of us. We all nodded, even Alice.

The second I opened the door, the cheering erupted. I was barely out when someone pulled at me, tapping me on my back and bringing me closer to the crowd.

I offered a smile, but my instincts were telling me to go back to my girls. I walked away and turned to Alice, offering my arms. She accepted, and I held her close, still smiling, especially now I knew she was safe.

My eyes found Gabriela. She had that paralyzed smile glued to her face, the one I’d learned was fake.

“Are you okay?” I mouthed.

CHAPTER 7

GABRIELA

Okay?No. I wasn’t okay.

I’d moved countries with my child. I’d humiliated myself to a man who rejected me, and then he chose to apologize in front of everyone, spilling my mortifying business all over the dashboard. Now, they all knew I was foolish enough to ask for a kiss.

And then, right when I thought I was close to having a moment to myself, the whole village was waiting for us with banners and happy faces.

Thank goodness Tadgh had Alice. It was the first time I didn’t have to depend only on myself to protect my child. It bothered me that I trusted Tadgh so easily, so quickly, but I wasn’t going to knock it. He had her, and I was grateful.

A fake smile was frozen on my lips. Even if I was overwhelmed, I couldn’t be anything less than polite. I listened carefully as they greeted the men, but I truly couldn't keep up with their language. There was a soft rhythm to it that smoothed my nerves and loosened the knot over my throat.

Just as Lorcan predicted, they all switched to English quickly when they saw me approach, greeting me with warm smiles as they repeated the same words.

“Welcome home.”

Once again, I was confronted by the notion of what was home. I kept the smile firm on my lips and tried my best to hide my insecurities, but I wasn't that good of an actor.

“Tell me if this is too much.”

Warmth spread over me when Oisin touched the small of my back, his mouth coming to my ear.

I turned, putting our faces close together. “This is too much,” I told him with a real smile this time. I loved his eyes and his calming presence. I took a big breath and shook my head. “It’s okay. They look happy.”

His hand closed around my waist, bringing me closer, and I had to swallow the saliva gathering in my mouth.

“Well, we can come up with a code word if you want to leave.”

“I’ll scream pineapples.”

“Say it in Portuguese?”

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