Page 68 of Holly Jolly Heat
I slumped against the counter, feeling exhausted. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for the next phase."
"Michelle. I've known you for years. I've watched you negotiate impossible deals, handle PR nightmares, build a business from nothing. You're one of the strongest people I know." Her voice gentled. "But you've been running from happiness because you're scared of losing control. And babe? You're already losing control. The question is, what do you want to catch you when you fall?"
My eyes burned with tears. "Them. I want them to catch me. But Callie, I'm so scared."
"I know. But you're already falling. I've seen the stream clips. The way you look at Lucas. The way you defended him, twice, Michelle. Twice you broke your own rules because you couldn't stand watching your alpha hurt. That's not business. That's pack."
"What if I mess it up? What if I can't balance both? What if?—"
"What if it's everything you've been missing?" Callie interrupted. "Michelle, you called me crying last year because you were so lonely. You said you'd achieved everything you wanted professionally but you felt empty. Remember that? Remember when I caught you watching Luke’s stream? I could see the longing etched on your face."
I did. It had been after a particularly successful quarter, record clients, record revenue, industry recognition. And I'd felt hollow.
"I remember."
"This is why. You've been running from connection for so long that you forgot what it feels like to not be alone. And now you have three alphas who are patient and respectful and clearly adore you, and you're still running. But Michelle—you can't run forever."
"I'm not running anymore. They're here. In my house."
"Physically, yes. But emotionally? You're still running. You're still holding back. You're still trying to control something that can't be controlled." She smiled gently. "Just let go, honey. Let yourself fall. They'll catch you."
"How do you know?"
"Because you just told me that you watched Dex fall off a ladder and you cried. Because I saw you jump on camera to defend Lucas without even thinking about the professional consequences. Because you invited them to your childhood home, Michelle. Your safe space. You only do that for peoplewho matter." She paused. "You already know they'll catch you. You're just scared to admit it."
I stared at my phone, at my friend's face, and felt something crack open in my chest.
"I'm in love with them," I whispered. "All three of them. And it's only been six days and that's insane and I don't know how it happened but I'm?—"
"You're in love," Callie finished, her smile warm. "Finally. Michelle, you're finally letting yourself feel something."
"It's terrifying."
"It's supposed to be. Love is terrifying. But it's also beautiful and worth it and going to make your life so much better." She leaned back. "Now. What are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. Keep fighting it? Try to maintain boundaries? Figure out the professional ethics?"
"Or, and hear me out, you could go to your pack right now and tell them how you feel."
"Callie, it's three in the morning."
"Perfect time for emotional breakthroughs. Trust me." She grinned. "Plus, I bet you anything they're not actually asleep. They're probably lying awake thinking about you too."
"That's–that's presumptuous."
"That's fated bonds. Michelle, stop overthinking. Stop trying to plan and control and manage. Just go be with your pack."
"What if it's too fast? What if I'm not ready?"
"What if you're more ready than you think?" Callie's expression turned serious. "Michelle. I love you. You're brilliant and capable and you're going to figure out the professional stuff because you always do. But right now? Right this moment? Stop being Professional Michelle and just be you. The you who's been lonely and scared and fighting so hard to not need anyone. Let yourself need them. Let yourself be vulnerable. Let yourself fall."
Tears were streaming down my face now. "What if they hurt me?"
"What if they don't? What if they're exactly what you need? What if this is your happy ending and you're too scared to reach for it?"
I laughed but there was an edge of tears to it. "When did you become so wise?"
"When I stopped fighting my own happy ending and just let it happen." She blew me a kiss. "Now go. Go to your pack. Let them catch you. And call me tomorrow with all the details."
