Page 63 of The Knotheads Next Door
"Look who's here! It's your boys!"
I follow her gaze and nearly trip over my own feet. Sitting at a corner table are Jasper, Theo, and Wells, all three looking up at Lala's exclamation with varying degrees of alarm.
"They're not my boys," I hiss, but Lala's already dragging me toward their table.
"Mind if we join you?" she asks, though she's already pulling out a chair before any of them can respond.
Theo recovers first, his easy smile sliding into place. "Not at all. Morning, Rowan."
I manage a nod, acutely aware of Jasper's gaze burning into me and Wells's careful neutrality. Since the... incident with Jasper in the kitchen, things have been strained between us, to put it mildly. And yesterday's moment with Wells at the festival grounds left me confused and frustrated in equal measure.
Only Theo has been consistently kind, though there's an intensity to his attention that both thrills and terrifies me.
"We're just discussing final logistics for the festival," Wells explains, his tablet open in front of him displaying what appears to be a complex spreadsheet. Of course.
"Fascinating," Lala says in a tone that indicates the exact opposite. "We're discussing something much more interesting." She leans forward conspiratorially. "Rowan's love life."
I choke on air. "We most certainly are not!"
"Only because you refuse to share details," Avianna points out.She drops into a chair, sagging into it with a sigh. Like walking here really took it out of her. "Which just makes us more curious."
"There are no details to share," I insist, deliberately not looking at any of my roommates. "My love life is non-existent."
"For now," Billie says with a meaningful glance at the three alphas. "Though I imagine living with these three makes it hard to meet other prospects."
An uncomfortable silence falls over the table. Jasper's jaw tightens visibly. Wells becomes very interested in his coffee. Only Theo seems unaffected, though there's a glint in his eye that suggests he's enjoying this far more than he should.
Lala, undeterred by the tension—or perhaps reveling in it—leans toward me. "So, have you claimed any of them yet?"
"Lala!" I splutter, mortified. "You can't just ask people that!"
"Why not? It's the twenty-first century. Women can claim multiple alphas if they want. Especially emerging omegas with a scent like yours."
If I could spontaneously combust from embarrassment, I would be a pile of ashes right now.
"I'm getting coffee," I announce, standing abruptly. "Anyone want anything?"
"Caramel latte," Lala says sweetly. "Extra whip."
"Peppermint or ginger tea please," from Avianna.
"Chai," Billie adds. "Thanks!"
I flee to the counter, grateful for the escape, however temporary.
Zeno, the perpetually brooding owner of Noble Grounds Café, looks up as I approach. "Let me guess," he says dryly. "Lala wants a caramel monstrosity that's more sugar than coffee."
Despite my embarrassment, I laugh. "You know her well."
"Unfortunately." He glances past me to where Lala is now animatedly chatting with Theo.
"She's the bane of my existence."
"And yet you know her exact order," I point out.
He narrows his eyes. "Don't read into that." Then, almost grudgingly, "What can I get you?"
I place our orders, then lean against the counter to wait, trying not to look back at the table where my friends and roommates are undoubtedly discussing me in my absence.
