Page 151 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
My face flames instantly. I laugh it off—at least, I pretend to—but inside, something warm and terrifying andrightunfurls in my chest.
God.
Maybe.
I get up and go see who else needs my help before I drag Chris upstairs saying we need to get more practice for baby making. Time passes in that weird way it does at parties where you look up and suddenly two hours have gone by. Morefriends arrive, Ruby with her three Alphas, who immediately get recruited to help Kane set up extra chairs. Some other people from town I’ve gotten friendly with during event planning, and my men’s friends.
The house fills with voices and laughter. People scatter throughout, some crowded around the dining table, others claiming the couches, groups standing in the kitchen, sampling appetizers, while the guys work on the finishing touches for the feast.
The doorbell rings again, and I’m closest, so I go to answer it, expecting maybe more neighbors or someone’s plus-one who got lost.
Instead, a woman I’ve never seen before stands on the porch, and my brain completely stutters trying to process her. She’s… stunning. Like, offensively gorgeous in that effortless way that has me wanting to check my hair and wonder if I have food in my teeth.
Strawberry-blonde hair flows to her waist in soft waves. The greenest eyes I’ve ever seen, like actual emeralds. Dramatic, dark eyeshadow, long lashes, and glossy lipstick that’s the perfect shade. A black leather choker around her neck that manages to look elegant instead of edgy.
She’s wearing a short crop top under a thick white coat that’s hanging open despite the freezing temperature. Deep blue jeans sit low on her hips, and there’s a belly button ring glinting.
She looks like she walked off a runway and decided to slum it with us normal people for the day.
“Hey there,” I manage, trying not to sound as intimidated as I feel. “Are you here for the party?”
She laughs, and it’s a genuine sound. “You must be Hannah, right?”
I blink, thrown off. “That’s me. Do we know each other? Did I plan an event for you? I’m terrible with faces when people aren’t yelling at me about decorations.”
She steps inside without waiting for an invitation and pulls me into a hug. She smells like expensive perfume and something minty.
I stand there, awkwardly patting her back, completely confused but also extremely curious about who this gorgeous stranger hugging me is.
“I’m Adelaide,” she finally says, drawing back with a grin. “Chris’s sister.”
“Oh.” My brain processes this information. “OH! Hello! Wow! Come in properly! I just—he never mentioned you. Like, not even once. I didn’t know he had a sister.”
She laughs again, shrugging out of her coat to reveal even more of that crop top situation. “Yeah, Chris isn’t exactly great at the whole sharing-personal-information thing. But I did tell all three of the guys I was coming. From what Noel said, Chris has been a little preoccupied with his new Omega to remember to mention me.” She grins. “Can’t say I blame him. You’re exactly as gorgeous as Noel described.”
I can’t stop smiling. “Oh, you and Noel chat often?” I’m trying really hard not to sound jealous. Why would I be jealous? She’s just absurdly stunning and apparently talks to one of my Alphas regularly, and I’ve read enough romance novels to know that guys always harbor secret crushes on their best friend’s hot sisters.
But I’m being ridiculous. Totally ridiculous.
Adelaide must catch something in my tone—or my face, which has never been good at hiding my emotions—because she nudges me playfully with her elbow.
“Don’t worry. Noel has always been like an annoying older brother to me. Nothing more, never will be, and frankly, thethought makes me want to gag.” She makes an exaggerated disgusted face. “I sometimes run things past him when I need advice, because he has way more patience than Chris and is slightly less likely to punch first and ask questions later.”
Relief floods through me so fast I feel lightheaded. “Oh, good. I mean—not that I was worried. Because I wasn’t. I’m very secure and confident and not at all prone to overthinking?—”
“You were totally jealous,” Adelaide interrupts, grinning wider. “It’s cute. Chris’s family is your family now, which means I’m your family too. Whether you want me or not.”
Something comforting blooms in my chest. “I definitely want you. Welcome to the crazy house.”
Adelaide’s expression softens. “Thank you. That actually means a lot. It feels really good knowing he finally found someone who brings him happiness. Chris has been lost for so long, you know? Drifting. But I can see why he’s completely smitten with you.”
Before I can respond, Chris appears in the hallway.
“Adelaide?” His voice is surprised but genuinely happy. “You actually came. I thought you weren’t since you never called back or answered any of my fifteen messages.”
Adelaide raises an eyebrow. “Someone’s needy.”
“Someone was worried about his sister.”
