Page 44 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
My stomach drops. “What are you doing?” I’m reaching for the phone, but she dances back, keeping it out of range.
“Solving your problem.”
“Lily, I swear to God?—”
“Hey, Lily!” Chris’s voice comes through the speaker, and my entire body reacts. Heat floods my face, pools low in my belly, makes my pulse kick up like I’ve been running.
Damn it.
“Morning!” Lily is way too cheerful. “So, Hannah’s in a bit of a situation. She needs a date, or fake date, if you prefer, to a family Christmas party tomorrow night. Any chance you’re free?”
“Lily!” I hiss, lunging for the phone again over the counter.
She spins away, still grinning.
There’s a pause. Then Chris laughs, low and warm and amused. “Fuck me, I wish. But Kane and I are chasing a target two states over tomorrow. Won’t be back until super late.”
Disappointment crashes through me, which is stupid because I didn’t want him to come anyway. This is good. This is what I wanted.
So why does it feel like losing?
“Damn.” Lily sounds genuinely disappointed. “That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. I’m gonna need a rain check on that, though.” Chris’s voice shifts, goes quieter. Intimate. “Missing a chance to spend time with Hannah? That’s killing me right now.”
My face is on fire. My entire body is on fire.
“But,” Chris continues, “Noel’s free tomorrow. He’d be perfect for this. And between you and me, he’s been looking for an excuse to get more time with your sister.”
Noel. Who told me we’re scent matches and looked at me like he could see straight through every wall I’ve built.
I’m making frantic gestures at Lily, mouthing,Say noandHang up, but she’s ignoring me completely.
“Perfect!” Lily is practically bouncing. “Noel’s great. Count it as a date. Though, fair warning, family gatherings usually involve interrogations. He might get grilled.”
“Oh, he’s great at improvising and making up shit on the spot. He’ll be fine.”
“I like his style,” Lily adds.
“So is Hannah there with you, listening?” he asks.
I freeze.
Lily looks directly at me, eyes sparkling. “Oh, yeah. She’s right here, practically hyperventilating from embarrassment and excitement.”
“Lily!” I’m going to kill her. Actually murder her.
“Hannah.” Chris’s voice drops lower, and suddenly it feels like he’s in the room instead of on the phone. “I know you’re scared. I know your life’s a mess right now and you don’t think you need complications. But here’s the thing, sweetheart. You’re a revelation. I can’t stop thinking about you for five seconds. So stop running. Let Noel take you to this party. Let us show you what it’s like to have Alphas who actually give a shit.”
My knees are weak. My brain is offline. My entire body is screaming at me to say yes, to give in, to stop fighting what apparently everyone but me knows is inevitable.
I can’t find my voice.
“Tomorrow night,” Chris continues. “Noel will pick you up, Hannah.”
Before I can even form a protest, Lily pops in with “Oh, I’ll text you the details. Dad’s going with them too.”
Chris lets out a low chuckle, the kind that rumbles like he’s actually amused. “An escort. Nice. Should he dress formally for the occasion?”
