Page 76 of Knot Happening

After years of countless failed attempts at finding someone who could complete our pack, we finally have a real opportunity with someone who matters.

"We have to do this right," I say firmly. "No pressure, no attempts to rush her toward a decision. We court her properly, we show her what we can offer, and we let her choose at her own pace."

"Agreed," Felix and Theo say simultaneously, and I can smell the determination in both their scents.

The next three days pass with agonizing slowness. I throw myself into work, spending extra hours at construction sites and in meetings, trying to distract myself from the urge to call Belle every few hours just to hear her voice. Felix buries himself in design projects, and Theo takes on additional security consultations. We're all keeping busy, but the undercurrent of anticipation runs through everything we do.

On Wednesday evening, exactly three days after the ball, I finally allow myself to call her.

"Hello?" Belle's voice comes through the phone, and just the sound of it makes my chest tighten with want.

"Hi, Belle. It's Marcus."

"I was wondering when you'd call," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."

"Never," I say immediately. "I wanted to give you the time you asked for, but I've been counting the hours."

"That's sweet," she says softly. "I've been thinking too. About our conversation, about what dating might look like."

"And what conclusions have you reached?"

"That I'm still terrified, but also more curious than I expected to be. I keep wondering what it would be like to really get to know each of you without the buffer of group dynamics."

"Would you like to find out?" I ask, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Yes," she says without hesitation. "I would."

"What's your schedule like this weekend? I'd love to take you somewhere, show you a bit more about my world."

"This weekend works. What did you have in mind?"

"Have you ever been to a construction site?" I ask, then immediately worry that it sounds boring or presumptuous. "I mean, I know it might not sound particularly romantic, but I thought you might be interested in seeing one of our current projects. We're building a new community center in Riverside, and it's the kind of work that really means something to me."

"I would love that," Belle says, and the genuine enthusiasm in her voice makes my relief almost overwhelming. "I've always been curious about how buildings actually come together."

"Really?"

"Really. And Marcus? I appreciate that you want to show me something meaningful to you rather than just taking me to a generic dinner and movie. It says a lot about how you're approaching this."

"Good things, I hope."

"Very good things," she confirms, and I can hear the warmth in her voice that makes me want to drive to her apartment immediately and kiss her until she's breathless.

But we're taking this slowly. We're building trust and understanding before we let physical attraction take over.

"Should I pick you up Saturday morning? Say, around nine?"

"That sounds perfect. Should I dress for actual construction site conditions, or is this more of a tour situation?"

"Actual conditions," I tell her. "Closed-toe shoes, clothes you don't mind getting dusty. I want you to see what the work really looks like."

"I like that even better," Belle says. "See you Saturday, Marcus."

"See you Saturday, Belle."

After I hang up, I find Felix and Theo in the kitchen, both of them looking at me expectantly.

"Saturday morning," I tell them. "Construction site tour followed by lunch."

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