Knot My Ex’s Brothers
1
SHARON
Don't be nervous. Breathe. Smile. Ring the bell.
I'm on Savannah's porch with my finger hovering in front of the doorbell like it's an explosive device. The wind pushes my hair into my face again, and I blow it out with a frustrated puff. My curls are already frizzy from the cold, and I'm wishing I brought a better coat, not my favorite red coat from CurvaCozy. I need the type of coat that keeps you warm when you're in Pine Hollow, which is cold in the mountains.
I catch a reflection of myself in the window next to the door. Brown eyes, way too wide. Curls everywhere. Lip gloss smudged. Anxious omega pretending to be fine.
I straighten my shoulders. I will ring this bell. I am a grown woman with basic hand-eye coordination.
Before I can touch it, the front door yanks open.
Savannah's red hair is braided over one shoulder. She looks tired, gorgeous, and mildly annoyed at the entire universe. Or me.
"Sharon," she says, exasperated and amused at the same time. "Are you going to stand out here staring at my wreath all day, or are you coming inside?"
I try a smile. "Hey, Savannah."
Her scent spills into the cold air and wraps around me like a weighted blanket. Warm vanilla and bourbon, but sweeter now, thicker, like caramel warming in a pot. Pregnancy scent. Cozy. Comforting. Safe.
"We won't bite, but the frostbite will if you keep standing outside," she says.
I shake my head at the idea of being scared to go in and see the woman who gave me a chance when no one else would hire me.
"Not enough experience," they all said.
How do you get experience if no one ever gives you a chance? Well, Savannah did. She hired me to be part of her wedding planning business, and I'm eternally grateful.
I reach out to hug her, but I mostly just collide with her belly. Savannah snorts and steadies herself with one hand. "It's fine. Everyone bounces off me these days. I am a human safety barrel."
The heat hits first. The fireplace is roaring. Then the smell hits. Cinnamon, baby powder, and an alpha scent I've smelled before, but I can't put my finger on it. Sharp. Clean. Male.
The living room has baby blankets folded in uneven piles on the furniture. A half-assembled crib sits in the corner with screws scattered like confetti across the carpet. There are tiny socks everywhere, like snowflakes made of cotton.
Savannah lowers herself onto the couch with a slow groan. She settles in like she's been training for this exact moment of sitting down.
"Welcome to chaos," she says, patting the cushion next to her.
I slide my coat off and sit down. The couch sinks too easily, and I nearly disappear into it. My curls immediately fall into my eyes.
Savannah presses a hand to her belly. "Welcome to Pine Hollow. Did you get into the hotel alright? You know you could have stayed here."
I shake my head, because I’m not selfish. She's carrying triplets, and she was happy for me to stay with her.
"It's fine. It's nice there. Cozy."
And cold.
"Anyway, I've got something to tell you before I have these fellows and can't even remember my own name," she says.
"Triplets," I say. "Are you scared?"
I am. The whole idea of it terrifies me. And I know I should be making eye contact, but it's just crazy to think that she doesn't have two bowling balls shoved in her sweater, but three babies.
"I'm scared my three alphas won't cope rather than my triplets," she says.
