Page 23 of Knot Our Reality

I shake my head as Maverick wraps an arm around Dalton’s neck and drags him toward Bree and Tessa, who are both watching on with amusement.

I’m not sure how Bree let the pair of them slip between her fingers. How any of the suitors didn’t snag up the six men I’ve met so far. Or any of the other omegas out there in the world. How are they all still single?

I turn my attention back to the driveway just as the next limo comes to a stop. Another familiar face is revealed when the door opens, and I grin at the beta exiting the limo.

It almost feels like cheating to have suitors from my brother’s season, especially the ones I’ve already met, but you won’t hear me complaining.

Especially not to have Ian Dávila-Muñoz as one of my suitors. The beta is one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, and he’s not exactly hard to look at with his wavy brown hair that’s nearly black. As he draws closer, I realize he’s probably around Remington’s height, just under six feet, which still makes him a solid half of a foot taller than me. His pretty hazel eyes meet mine, and I want to melt at his feet.

He’s just so damn pretty—especially when he smiles like he is right now.

“It’s good to see you again, Emilia.” The dimple in his right cheek practically winks at me.

“You, too. So good.” My eyes widen.

Maybe the ground will open up and swallow me whole. Then maybe I wouldn’t keep embarrassing myself.

Ian shakes his head, not mentioning the red hue to my cheeks as he pulls me in for a hug. “How are you holding up?”

“As well as can be expected?” I tell him, trying not to nuzzle into his chest as hints of fennel and orange hit my nose. It’s not a scent I thought I’d enjoy, but I really do.

I force myself to pull away, keeping my smile in place as I look up at him. “How about you? What have you been up to for the last few months?”

“Not too much,” he admits. “Mostly just working and helping your brother with his work.”

“Oh?” This is the first I’ve heard about him working with Remington. Although, my brother has been kind of hush-hush with his research lately. I think he’s close to a breakthrough, but he’s afraid to jinx it by telling anyone about it.

Ian nods. “He’s trying to convince me to come work for him full time. He’s making it hard to say no to him.”

“Does he think that drugs might be the way to move forward?” I grasp Ian’s arm.

He shrugs. “Honestly, I’m not sure. We’ve been mixing different compounds to see if anything will help, but he had me stop that last month. But he seems to think he’ll need me going forward.”

That’s my brother for you. Knowing what he’ll need before actually needing it and not telling a damn soul what he’s working on.

“Are you going to do it? He doesn’t bring anyone in easily. That program is his baby, and they throw money at him like crazy. I can only imagine the pay you’d make.”

“No shit. When I saw the salary they were offering, I almost passed out. I’m leaning toward doing it. This would allow me to help people on a much larger scale.” Ian takes a deep breath as his hand musses his hair. “But Remy said to wait until after the show to decide.”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you telling me that my brother knew you were going to be on the show?”

Ian’s eyes widen, glancing over my shoulder before returning to me. “Uhhh…yes?”

“That asshole. He said he didn’t know anything.” I shake my head, startling when I feel the baby kick. Smiling, I grab Ian’s hand and lift it to my belly. “He’s kicking.”

Even if I couldn’t feel the kicks myself, I’d have known the moment he felt it. A smile lights up his face, tears pooling in his eyes as he looks down at me in awe.

“That’s the baby?”

I nod, wondering if I went too far. Was it weird to make him feel the baby?

Does it really matter? It’s far too late to take it back.

“That’s so amazing.” Ian’s hand rubs along my belly, his smile only growing when the baby kicks again. “I feel you there, little man. You’re already so strong, but maybe give your mama a break. I can’t imagine what it feels like being kicked from inside.”

I laugh. “It’s a little weird, but as long as he’s not trying to play soccer with my bladder, I don’t mind his kicks. It lets me know he’s rolling around in there—growing big and strong so he can come out into the world to meet me and his brothers.”

“Is it weird to say I’m glad something good came from the bad that happened to you?” Ian winces. “Fuck, yes. That’s so bad. Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead.”

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