Page 172 of Knot So Social

“It’s weird, right? I get it. The thing is, to be a role model, I need to be perfect. And a perfect woman, perfect omega, doesn’t stay holed up in her house scared of the sky.”

She tosses up one hand in frustration.

“You’ve no idea how brutal the digital world is, Alessandro. People say stuff online they wouldn’t dream of telling someone in person. All restraint comes off. At first I was very coy about my location, but then people started asking me for advice on how to handle social situations. Answering comments was a big part of how I grew my presence on social media.”

Willow pauses and slides around in my arms to face me, leaning back so our eyes meet. “If they knew I’m housebound, they’d never ask for my advice. The world demands perfection.”

I stare down at her, more confused than ever. “But why would you think you aren’t perfect the way you are?”

She snorts. “I’m scarred, scared, and hobble when I walk.”

“And?”

Willow pushes against my chest. “Come on. You might be in love with me but—” She gasps and snaps her mouth shut.

“I am in love with you,” I purr, glad she understands.

The woman in my arms flushes and looks down. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

I tilt her chin up until our gazes meet. “I love you with all my heart, cara mia. I already told you it feels like we’ve spent lifetimes together. I did not know if you were ready to hear it, but it pleases me to see you already know.”

Gently I massage my thumb down her throat, careful not to muss her makeup. “But still my question remains. Why do you believe you are not perfect as you are?”

Willow waves my hand away and pulls out of my grip. “Come on, Alessandro. You know that’s not how the world works. Nothing that’s broken can be considered perfect.”

I catch her hand before she can leave. “Having a difficult past does not make you broken, Willow.”

She smiles at me, the light not quite reaching her eyes. Returning, she leans in to kiss my cheek. “And that’s why you’re the sweetest. And also the sweatiest.”

My heart aches as she leaves. Jokes covering pain. Lies keeping people from the thing they might resonate with the most. But I shake my head as I turn the shower on, knowing I have no right to interfere. Willow Sheldon is not a woman who needs saving—only loving.

And I of all people know how cruel the world can be.

As her alphas, our task is to prove to her bit by bit that she is perfect as herself. And our first date this evening is a great way to show her.

Chapter fifty-three

Willow

My guys are very excited about the first date. I’ve played off as disinterested, but the truth is I’m all jittery inside as well. As I'm sequestered in my office for the afternoon, their voices float through the walls, alternating between laughing and being serious as they prepare for the surprise. While they’ve asked me plenty about what I like, they’ve kept quiet about their plans. Not only is this my first date in over seven years, but it’s also the first surprise anything.

Which makes it hard to focus on my work.

My personal assistant is running wild with the idea of the Aleta Boss program, and we’ve brainstormed one hundred posts to make, as well as an entire line of advertising with male-centric targeting. It’s all I can do to hold both of us reined in until I get more feedback from my alphas on the modules.

It’s an exciting venture, with the potential to help a lot of people, but it does risk diluting my branding as an omega specialist. Either way, I’m enjoying the challenge. Perhaps I needed something new to push me forward creatively.

But my newfound energy also comes down to the positive effect of alphas in the house. Jeremy and Alessandro took over the cooking. I still have a cleaning service come through regularly, but I don’t need to be the one giving directions. The dogs get exercised or let out to the yard without me having to get up, and the three alphas seem to have come to an agreement between themselves about ordering groceries. I only need to add what I want to the shopping list. It’s all very comfortable in a way I never knew sharing a home could be.

And the remnants of voices in my head and dark dreams? Drowned out by three affectionate men who don’t believe it’s a weakness to praise and compliment their omega.

A knock sounds on the door, starling me out of a spreadsheet analysis. “Yes?”

“We’re ready for you, cara mia. When do you think you’ll finish?”

I shove my chair back from the desk. “Right now.”

The door cracks open and a hand sticks through, waving a cloth. “Then cover your eyes, if you please.”