Page 174 of Knot So Social

“Crazy or not, time’s ticking,” Joel says, nudging me toward the chair.

I glance down at the card in my hand, which happens to be an “all inclusive” ticket for the Williams concert, Baccini spa, and Boss Cinemas experience. Corny perhaps, but the effort they’re putting in makes it a little hard for me to breathe.

I step up to the “bus” and tuck my phone between my thighs. I’ll definitely need photos of this evening.

“Hold on tight,” Alessandro orders before thrusting the seat forward.

I shriek as I scoot across the flooring, the alphas running to keep up with me. It’s only a few rooms away, but my guys make engine noises and stop at “intersections” as we go. I’m clinging to the seat with a death grip and shrieking with laughter by the time we arrive in an unused games room at the far end of the house.

“Is this the concert hall?” I ask, checking my ticket.

“It certainly is, and you have VIP seating, as well as a backstage pass to meet the artists.”

“I sure hope so,” I giggle. “But I’m dying to know about the performance.”

“All in good time,” Jeremy says cryptically.

Joel helps me to my feet, steadying me until the dizziness subsides, and leads me over to a bucket seat. In front of it, someone’s set out the mother of all girl dinners. A rainbow fruit platter, three types of dips with crudités and sourdough, along with cheese, crackers, and some meat pies—which I assume are for more substance.

Alessandro pours me a glass of sparkling white wine as Jeremy sits down on a stool at the front of the room.

The lights dim as he picks up a guitar.

“No way!” I cry. “You play, Jeremy?”

He winks at me and strums. My vision blurs and I blink furiously, turning to my wine glass for distraction. Never thought I’d get to hear live music again.

Jeremy strums some chords to a familiar pop song and then opens his mouth. His voice deepens for the song, and I sit spellbound. Alessandro has to put a plate in my hands before I can drag my attention off the performing alpha.

When he finishes the song, we all applaud loudly and hoot. With his big tan hat shading his face, Jeremy looks like he should be singing a country ballad, but he begins a recent pop hit called Heat Fall. I’ve even used it for a bunch of my short social posts recently.

I hum along, and when I get to the chorus, the words strike a chord in my soul. I hear your call, gonna bring my all. Letting loose my soul, in your heat, we fall.

“That’s our song,” I murmur as Jeremy finishes up.

He nods and blows me a kiss, and suddenly my heart’s too full to speak. Alessandro leans over and squeezes my hand, and Joel perches on the armrest of my seat and strokes my hair, no words needed.

I reach blindly for a snack and pick up a tomato. I hesitate, considering putting it back, but these men have prepared everything so wonderfully, I don’t want to seem ungrateful. Plus, I already touched it.

I pop the cherry tomato in my mouth and bite down, wincing at the bitter spray across my tongue. When I glance back at the dish, there’s a medium-sized bowl full of the darn things. Why do many? Should I eat them first to get them out of the way?

When I reach for another, Joel leans over me and grabs the bowl.

“Do you like these, Willow?”

“Ah, well . . .”

He eyeballs me and I know I’ve been caught.

I slump. “Not really.”

“Then why are you putting them in your mouth, silly?” He shakes his head and pops one onto his tongue, turning his attention back to his brother.

Holding the bowl out of my reach.

Amazement dawns in my heart. I do get to be happy. Not maybe, not some day in the future. Now, with my three alphas. And over the stupidest darn things.

Jeremy plays for about twenty minutes. He’s not perfect, but it’s soulful and fun, with him laughing any time he makes a mistake and Joel and Alessandro calling out silly stuff like besotted schoolgirl fans. I snap photos, including selfies with the guys, and cheer loudly. Between the laughter, music, and snacks, could a date be any more perfect?