Through the bond, I feel Seth's nervous hope. "Is it okay? We can change anything?—"
I turn and kiss him hard enough that he makes a surprised sound. Then I grab River and kiss him. Then Grayson.
"It's perfect," I say. "You're all perfect."
"We're really not," River says, grinning, pulling me against his side. "But we're perfect for you."
"So what's first?" River asks. "For the business?"
"Website. Social media presence." I'm already mentally organizing. "Then local outreach—the general store needs help, the diner's Instagram is just badly lit food photos?—"
"Wait, wait." River's grinning, pulling me against his side. "Before you conquer the whole town, can we talk about how you turned my hardware store into a viral sensation? That videoof me cutting wood and organizing fasteners hit fifty thousand views."
"The 'satisfying sounds' video," I say, smiling at the memory.
"And the tutorial ones brought in actual business—had contractors driving in from two towns over asking about bulk orders." He's genuinely excited now, that golden retriever energy in full force. "Plus the arm porn is apparently working. Grayson showed me the thirst comments."
"I told you the rolled sleeves would work," I say smugly.
"You were dangerously right about that," Grayson observes dryly. "The internet has opinions about River's forearms."
"Good opinions?" River asks, grinning.
"Extremely detailed opinions," Grayson says, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.
Seth sends amused-embarrassed feelings through the bond.
"Point is," River continues, squeezing my waist, "you're brilliant at this. You're going to have the whole town's businesses thriving within a month. Mrs. Henderson's probably going to ask you to market her cat rescue operation."
"Mr. Whiskers does need better PR," Seth observes through the bond, and I feel his amusement.
"Exactly." River's still grinning. "My brilliant omega is going to put Honeyridge Falls on the digital map."
"She's in marketing mode," Grayson says, catching my hand and lacing our fingers together. "Look at her light up."
"It's attractive," Seth says through the bond, his desire flavoring the words.
"Very attractive," River agrees, his other hand finding my hip.
"You can't just—" I gesture helplessly. "I'm trying to have a professional discussion and you're all touching me and looking at me like?—"
"Like we're attracted to our brilliant omega who's going to take over the world?" Grayson's breath is warm against my neck. "That's accurate."
Heat floods my face. "You're impossible."
"You like it," Grayson murmurs, and he's right.
"Come on," I say, slipping out of their circle. "I need to add my stuff to the nest."
A knockon the front door makes us all freeze.
"Are you expecting someone?" I ask Seth.
"No." He's already moving, deputy instincts engaging. "Stay here."
A moment later, his voice drifts up. "It's fine! It's Maeve!"
Maeve Bennett is on the front porch holding a basket covered with a checkered cloth and wearing her signature floral apron under her coat.
