Page 27 of Knot Our Reality

I laugh. “You’re a smooth talker, Dylan. Thank you both.”

I settle into my seat before diving into my food. I’m ravenous and have no time for conversation until I’ve eaten my fill. They’re all still eating as I set down my fork, making me wonder just how fast I ate. None of them are remotely close to being finished.

“Are you full?” Maverick asks. “We can grab you something else if you need us to.”

“What is it with alphas always trying to feed me? If I want more food, I’ll get it, but I’m good for now.”

Ian smirks, but says nothing as he continues to eat. It doesn’t take them long to finish.

Bree and Tessa join us as Dylan sets down his fork—the last to finish.

“Good morning, Emilia. Suitors. Are you ready for your date?”

I nod, looking forward to having a mostly lazy day. I really hope none of my suitors mind the dates I have set up. They’re definitely geared toward things a pregnant omega wants and needs. Nothing too exciting. The last thing we want to do is send me into preterm labor before I’ve chosen a pack. It would defeat the purpose of my coming onHeated.

“Absolutely!” Ian is the first out of his seat, pulling my chair back and offering his hand to help me stand. I smile up at him because while I didn’t need his help, it’s sweet that he wants to help.

Ugh. I’m a mess.

I keep wavering back and forth over whether I want help with things or not. It’s a damn good thing my suitors can’t see in my head or they’d be running away right now.

The others quickly join us, but Bree stops me when we near them.

“Lucas and Mike will be going with you, but because of the space, he also sent another team to watch from afar.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Are we sure that’s necessary?”

Tessa shrugs. “It might be overkill, but we all agree it’s better to be too safe than not safe enough—including Lucas.”

I don’t have to like it, but I need to trust that Lucas knows what’s best.

“Yeah, okay. Thank you.” I give the two of them a quick smile before leading my day two suitors outside and into the waiting SUV. Lucas is driving today with Mike in the passenger seat.

I find myself in the back row, squeezed between Maverick and Dalton, while Dylan and Ian sit in the middle row. As soon as the SUV begins moving, Ian turns around to face me. “Do we get any hints at what we’re doing today?”

I consider him for a moment. “We’ll be at the same place all day.”

“Anything else?” Dalton asks, a smirk painting his lips.

“Nope.”

Maverick chuckles. “Okay, Emilia. Keep your secrets.”

“Oh, I will.” I grin, facing forward and not looking at any of them.

“Emilia, why don’t you tell us about what you like to do in your free time?” Dylan lifts his eyebrows when I snort. “What?”

“Free time? I don’t know what that is. I run a massive company and have two kids under the age of ten with another on the way.” I shake my head. “I don’t have free time anymore. But I used to love going to the ballet and watching horror movies. I used to take dance classes too—in a multitude of styles.”

Ian sighs. “I guess you wouldn’t have much time to do things just for you, but that’ll change when you have a pack. Then you’ll be able to have time for yourself.” He glances down at my belly. “Eventually.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Yeah, eventually. I don’t mind putting aside my interests for my children. They’re the most important thing in the world to me, but I’ll admit, it would be nice to be able to take a dance class from time to time.”

“Is that something you did with one of your mates before?” It’s Dylan who asks, but I can tell they’re all interested.

I shrug. “I’m not sure he enjoyed it, but Gerald came to every class with me. Besides ballroom classes, he was often the only man there. Ryan would join us from time to time, but it was mostly just somethingfor me and Gerald to do together. They were all really good about finding something that we could enjoy together.”

“Oh? What did you do with the others?” Dalton asks.

---