Page 95 of Knot Happening

I exchange glances with Felix and Theo, and I can see the same thought occurring to all of us.

"What if," I say slowly, "you didn't have to miss it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what if you still had your two o'clock chocolate break?" I continue, the plan taking shape as I speak. "Just with different people."

Belle tilts her head. "You want to have chocolate breaks with me?"

"Hell yes, I want to have chocolate breaks with you," I say immediately. "Belle, do you know how many terrible budget meetings I sit through where I'm thinking about whether you remembered to eat lunch between campaign calls? Having an excuse to check in with you every day sounds perfect."

"I could do Thursdays," Theo offers. "My schedule's always lighter on Thursdays, and the construction sites are usually running smoothly by then."

"I could do Mondays and Wednesdays," I add. "Give me something to look forward to in the middle of those city council prep meetings that never seem to end."

"And I'll take Tuesdays and Fridays," Felix says with obvious enthusiasm. "Plus any day when these two are stuck in meetings or dealing with campaign crises."

"You want to reorganize my entire work week around chocolate?" Belle asks, and there's something wondering in her voice.

"We want to make sure you have something sweet to look forward to every day," I correct. "Whether that's chocolate or just time with people who think you're incredible and want to make sure you're eating properly during campaign season."

"Besides," Theo adds with a grin, "we've all seen your chocolate philosophy in action during these strategy sessions. This is basically educational for us."

Belle stares at us for a long moment, and I can smell the way her scent shifts toward something warm and emotional. "You would really do that? Just show up wherever I am every day at two o'clock with chocolate?"

"Belle," Felix says gently, "we'd show up wherever you are every day at two o'clock with a full chocolate fountain if it would make you smile."

"That might be excessive," Belle says, but she's laughing now. "The library has very strict policies about food and beverage in the reading areas."

"Then we'll eat chocolate in the parking lot," I say firmly. "Or in the campaign office we set up in the conference room. Or wherever you want to have your two o'clock ritual."

"You're serious," Belle says, and it's not quite a question.

"Dead serious," Theo confirms. "Belle, you've spent the past two weeks taking care of everyone else's needs, organizing this entire campaign, making sure we all stay focused and fed and sane. Let us take care of yours for a change."

"Starting with chocolate breaks and ending with whatever you need during your heat tomorrow," I add, because I need her to understand that this isn't just about small gestures. "We're not going anywhere, Belle. Not for chocolate breaks, not for heat cycles, not for anything. Campaign or no campaign, win or lose, this is permanent."

Belle is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks, her voice is thick with emotion. "I love you," she says simply. "All of you. More than I ever thought possible."

"We love you too," Felix says immediately. "More than we ever thought we were capable of loving anyone."

"Good," Belle says, settling back into the couch with obvious satisfaction. "Because you're stuck with me now. Permanently."

"Best news I've heard all week," I tell her honestly.

"Even better than getting that Channel 7 interview for Monday?" she asks with a grin.

"Belle, claiming you is better than winning every media interview and city council vote combined," I say, and the simple truth of it surprises me with its intensity.

"Smooth talker," she says, but I can smell her pleased satisfaction.

"Just honest," I correct. "Though speaking of the campaign, how do you feel about being the town's most talked-about omega?"

Belle groans dramatically. "Lady Inkwell's latest column made it sound like I single-handedly saved the entire historical district while simultaneously seducing three alphas with my organizational prowess."

"Did you not?" Theo asks with mock seriousness. "Because that's definitely what it felt like from our perspective."

"I organized a petition drive and made some phone calls," Belle protests. "And I definitely didn't seduce anyone. You three did all the seducing."

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