Page 11 of Knot So Sweet
One of the others flashes a smile probably working on most women. Dark hair, sharp cheekbones, the kind of confidence born from never hearing the word no. "We've met, actually. Sort of. I'm Xaden."
I remember him. The restaurant owner who let me use his bathroom and then watched me like I might steal the silverware. I give him a nod which could freeze water. I wonder if he cooks too, because the bread wasn't bad. I mean it was pretty good, then again his restaurant is next to a baker, so no doubt the baker bakes his bread.
The third man, blonde, younger-looking, with kind eyes, waves instead of approaching. Smart man. "I'm Liam. The town vet."
Naturally. He's got the gentle, steady presence which probably makes scared animals feel safe. Too bad I'm not trusting.
"Okay," I say, keeping my voice neutral, "I don't want to impose on anyone. I'm sure I can figure something out."
"Nonsense," Meredith declares. "You'll stay in the apartment above the bakery. Garrick's been trying to rent it out for months anyway."
All eyes turn to the baker, and I watch his jaw work like he's chewing on something unpleasant. He looks like he wants to object, but apparently even grumpy alphas don't argue with determined elementary school teachers.
"I don't think…" he starts. The ogre's name is Garrick. Figures.
Meredith cuts him off with a look which probably stopped misbehaving children in their tracks for four decades. "What, dear? You should help someone in need?"
"Look," I say, crossing my arms, "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not after charity. I can take care of myself."
It's my default response. The same words I used when my sister tried to help, when my coworkers asked why I always looked tired, when neighbors pretended not to hear the shouting through our apartment walls.
"Of course you can," Meredith says, and her tone is gentle but unyielding. "But it doesn't mean you have to."
"Sometimes accepting help comes with strings attached," I shoot back. "I've learned the lesson the hard way."
But the vet, Liam, just nods like he understands. "What if it's not charity?" he says quietly. "I could actually use some help at the clinic on Monday. Filing, answering phones, basic stuff. Nothing fancy, but it pays enough to cover rent and then some."
I stare at him. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious. My last assistant moved to Denver last month, and I've been drowning in paperwork ever since." His smile is gentle but genuine. "You'd be doing me a favor."
Something in his voice makes me want to trust him. Precisely why I shouldn't.
"I'm not staying," I say firmly. "I'm just passing through. As soon as my car's fixed, I'll be gone."
"Then consider it temporary help," Liam suggests. "However long you're here."
I look around at these four people. Three alphas who could easily overpower me without breaking a sweat, and one beta woman who's being kinder to me than I deserve. Every instinct I have says this is too good to be true. There's a catch I'm not seeing.
But I'm so tired. Cold. Hungry. And the thought of another night in my car makes my chest tight with panic.
"Just until my car's fixed," I hear myself saying. "And I pay my own way. No special treatment."
Liam nods seriously. "Fair wages for honest work. I'll swing by around nine tomorrow morning to show you around the clinic."
Meredith beams like I've just made her day. "Wonderful. Now everything's settled."
As if summoned by the mention of settled, my stomach chooses this moment to growl loud enough to wake the dead. Heat floods my cheeks. My suppressants, a thing of the past, because I can't afford to pay for anymore. My scent must be filling up this bakery, it's too dangerous for me to stay, so why do I feel so safe.
"When did you last have a proper meal?" Liam asks, and there's professional concern in his voice.
"Yesterday, or maybe the day before."
The dark-haired one, Xaden, mutters something under his breath sounding like profanity, and I give him a look which could strip paint.
"Garrick," Meredith says in her teacher voice, "surely you have something she can eat."
The baker looks like he'd rather perform surgery on himself, but he disappears into the back without argument. I hear sounds of industry. Pots clanging, something being heated.
