Page 75 of Knotting Hill
Frowning, I creep past Russell and JP, still sleeping in my nest. Moving quietly past the screens that cut off my bedroom from the living area, I see Josh is already up, bustling around the room, looking for something.
“Josh?” I ask. “Everything okay?” I grimace inwardly as I sound like my parents.
Josh looks up from his task and gives me a warm smile. “Hi,” he says, his voice soft and gentle. “I wasn’t sleeping, so I figured I'd get up and tidy the place. We’ve descended on you and made a mess of your flat.”
I feel a rush of love for him and take a few steps closer. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I do. Those two are pigs.” He grins, indicating the bedroom.
I giggle and look around. It’s notuntidyas such, just too small for all of us and our stuff.
“You ready to go?” he asks.
I nod, looking back at him. “Yeah, I’ll just grab some coffee.”
“Already done. Also, a croissant from the coffee shop.”
“You seriously need to stop feeding me all these gorgeous pastries. I’m going to fill this flat all on my own if you don’t.”
“There’d just be more of you to love.” He gives me a sassy smile.
“Fuck off,” I reply good-naturedly.
He crosses to the kitchen and picks up my coffee and food. “I’ll walk with you.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that. It’s twenty minutes away.”
“I’ll catch a taxi back. I have to go to the bookshop today anyway. Elle is going to kill me as it is for abandoning her.”
“You’re close?”
He nods. “Yeah, she is my best friend outside of these two. Maybe more like an annoying, little sister.”
I smile. “That sounds great,” I say. I reluctantly pull on my coat and slip into my trainers, shoving my heels into my bag, which I scoop off the floor of the bedroom, pausing to kiss the heads of my two sleeping alphas.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder, Josh and I slip quietly out and head into the peaceful morning. The streets are quiet, the only sound being the occasional burst of birdsong, a bus here and there, with a few cars. Nothing like the usual bustling vibrance of the neighbourhood. Sipping my coffee, which Josh alternates holding with the croissant, we take the same route I always do.
Josh and I quickly fall into an easy conversation, talking about his bookstore and more about Elle. I’m not jealous, just curious.
Before I know it, we have arrived at work. Walking and talking with him has made the commute fly by. I turn to himand smile. “Thanks for walking with me,” I say, feeling a wave of appreciation wash over me.
He returns my smile and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Anytime. Either JP or Russell will be here when you finish.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
He takes my hand and squeezes it. “It is. We promised to protect you, and we will.”
I’m incredibly lucky to have them in my life, despite me thinking the opposite not that long ago. I know they will always be there for me, no matter how early or late it is. I hug him before heading up the steps to the practice, still feeling the warmth of Josh's embrace. Turning, I wave goodbye and then head inside to have this talk with my dad. My stomach clenches unexpectedly.
I take a deep breath, taking a moment to swap my shoes. Bracing myself for the conversation to come, I move further inside the building. I see my father sitting in the waiting area, looking through a patient folder.
He looks up and smiles. “Stormy. What’s up?”
He is straight down to the point, which tells me two things. His head is on work, and he needs to go. This makes it more difficult—more pressure to get it out there.
I force a smile and sit down next to him. “I have something to ask you. I know this is going to be awkward, but I said I would.”
His expression grows concerned. “Do I need to be worried?”
