Page 70 of Knot So Social

Oh, is he here to take care of the yard?

Mr Shares buts his head up against the fencing and the man smiles and rubs his ears.

“Hope I’m not disturbing. Willow asked me to do a job for her, but I haven’t heard back.” He glances up from under dark lashes, gaze calculating. “I was passing by and thought I’d check in to see if she still wants the job done.”

Explains why Mr Shares knows him, but I very much doubt he just happened to be passing by. Or maybe that’s just my alpha self riding high on pheromones.

“Couldn’t tell ya, sorry. I’ll let her know you dropped by.” I lift my chin toward the truck.

“Oh, I’m Alessandro.” He sticks his palm through the fence.

Would be rude to ignore the gesture, and he doesn’t strike me as a seedy fellow. Plus, the dog likes him. I shake his hand, feeling the callouses on his palm and strength in his forearms.

“Jeremy.”

“Nice to meet you.” He glances at the house. The curiosity is clearly gnawing away at his mind, but he remains polite.

Maybe I should do some digging myself. “Has Willow got your number?”

“Yes, and my business card.”

“Great.”

Purely professional, then. Although, I’d stake my life there’s more to that interest in his eyes. Before I shook his hand, that suspicion irked me, but Alessandro strikes me as a genuine guy, working hard to make his way in this world. I know what that feels like.

Plus, who wouldn’t fall in love with the gorgeous omega at first sight?

I relax and thread my arms through the gate. Twitching my thumb toward the vehicles, I ask, “This your business?”

Alessandro nods. “Sì, lawns and gardens. I work a lot of the properties in this district.”

Italian, I believe. He has a pleasant voice and the accent makes listening to him fun.

“Nice. My dad was a landscaper. More commercial property than anything, and a shit ton of irrigation.” I chuckle at an old memory. “When he retired, he said he never wanted to see another sprinkler valve in his life.”

Alessandro grins, transforming his shaded face from workman to supermodel. He could cut steak on those cheekbones. “Oh, sì! I understand. Lay enough of that piping and it’ll turn your fingers black.” He holds his hands up and wriggles his digits. “But at least out here it’s a way to keep cool.”

I laugh and pluck at my polo, which is already darkening with sweat around the collar. “Maybe I should go into that trade then.”

He shrugs. “If it’s something you enjoy, definitely. What do you do with your time now?”

The way he phrases that question warms me. Non-threatening, not defining me by my job like so many people in my circles have. But if I admit what I do, then he’ll know exactly why I’m here, and I’m not keen on him picturing Willow deep in her heat.

“I’m between things at the moment,” I lie. Sours my stomach a little, but confidentiality is a part of my clause, and that means not spilling my client’s details.

Alessandro smiles. “Fair enough. I might be expanding in future, so if you know the work, hit me up.”

Now I feel even heavier.

“Thanks, pal.”

He grins and gives the dog a good rub before backing away. “Well, I’ll be heading off now. Take care and thanks for passing on my message.”

I salute him with two fingers.

“C’mon, pup,” I call, heading back to the house.

It was a simple visit, but it reminds me Willow must have suitors lined up around the block wanting to call on her. Claim her, even. So, why’s such a beautiful, smart woman hiding from the world?