Page 80 of Knot So Sweet
Murphy's Tavern is my last stop before heading home, and I'm hoping a quiet drink will help me process everything I've learned today. The tavern is a cozy place with dark wood paneling and the comfortable scent of beer and fried food. Usually, it's my kind of atmosphere.
Today, however, I walk into what sounds like a heated debate.
"I'm telling you, Xaden is the frontrunner," says a voice I recognize as belonging to Joe Murphy, the owner. "He's got that whole mysterious professor thing going. Women love that."
"Are you kidding?" That's definitely Tom's voice. "Garrick's the obvious choice. Alpha mechanics are classic romance hero material."
"You're both wrong," interrupts another voice. "My money's on Liam. Young, eager, absolutely devoted. Plus he's got that boy-next-door charm."
I freeze in the doorway. They're talking about... me. And my supposed love life. Again.
"What about a threesome?" suggests someone else, and I nearly choke on my own saliva.
"Four-some," Joe corrects. "Don't forget about all three alphas."
"I thought there were a limit as to how many alphas can have an omega?" Pete wonders.
"It's about natural pack dynamics. Omega's choice, alpha acceptance. Classic formation," a voice I don't recognize says.
I should leave. I should definitely leave. Instead, I find myself creeping closer, hidden behind a wooden pillar, straining to hear more. This is like stumbling into the world's most fascinating sociology experiment.
"So what are the current odds?" Tom asks.
There's the sound of papers rustling. "Let's see... Garrick as primary alpha is currently at 2-to-1. Xaden is 3-to-1. Liam as primary is a long shot at 8-to-1."
"What about all three?" Joe asks.
"Pack formation with all three alphas? 5-to-1. Popular choice among the romantics in town."
"And what's the over-under on timeline?"
"Dave's got it at six weeks until official bonding. Most people are taking the under."
My heart does a little flutter. They're not just gossiping, but the whole town is rooting for us, and making money from it.
"Course, there's also the wild card," someone else adds.
"What?"
"Violet takes off running. Gets scared by all the alpha posturing and heads back to the city."
A chorus of "boos" follows this suggestion.
"That's not happening," Pete says firmly. "You didn't see how she looked at that car when we fixed it. Or how she's been settling into the apartment. Liam spilled it last night when he was here. He said that she's nesting."
Nesting.I press my hand to my mouth to keep from giggling. They're right, I have rearranged furniture, bought throw pillows, and made the space feel like home.
"Nesting?" Joe's voice perks up with interest.
"Classic omega behavior. Making a home, establishing territory. She's not going anywhere."
Tom says, "Garrick came by the garage this morning asking about engagement rings."
My heart stops completely. Then starts again at double speed.
The entire tavern goes quiet.
"Engagement rings?" Joe's voice is barely a whisper.
