Page 43 of In Knots

Chapter 12

Lunch passes uneventfully; Sadie’s magic proficient after all and nobody spotting the bruise on my forehead. A few questions are directed at me, ones that seem innocent, but that I know are designed to try to weasel from me what is happening with Simon. I smile sweetly and give noncommittal answers, my mind thoroughly occupied by the three conversations of the morning, opposing ideas, opinions and views, swirling through my head and battling to win.

Towards the end of the lunch, Simon’s mother, a small lady with heavy diamond earrings hanging from her lobes, catches me leaving the bathroom. I look for an escape, but she already has a grip of my elbow and to tug it away would be rude. She guides me to a private corner where no one else can see or overhear.

It’s clear she has no idea how my date with Simon ended the night before. It’s also clear she is bubbling with excitement about the prospect of her son claiming an omega.

“He’s been away for such a time and to think he’s finally settling back home and planting out his roots, going to start a family … well, it makes me so happy, to say the least.” I smile the same smile I’ve been smiling for the past two hours. “And such a pretty girl!”

“Thank you,” I say, wishing my mother would come and extract me from this conversation.

“I hope we can fix a date for the wedding soon. I know your parents are keen for–”

“Oh, I’m not sure … we’ve only been on one date!” I say, a little alarmed. How is this moving so impossibly quickly?

The woman laughs and pats my arm. “I’m getting carried away with myself, I know. You young people need to take your time of course. It wasn’t like that in our day. You met the one and boom.” She sweeps a jewelled finger through her hair, stiff with hairspray. “It was actually a rather exciting way of doing things. I really am of the opinion that there is no point in waiting if you know.”

“I …” My words fail me. I want to tell her that there is no way on earth I’m letting her son claim me. But I can’t, can I? The damage it would do would be devastating, ripping my mother’s social world apart and probably ruining my father’s latest business plans. And even if I tried to tell everybody about last night, I can already see how it would be twisted.

Alexa, she’s just a frigid, stuck up omega, thinks she’s too good for anyone. Can’t handle a bit of passion from an alpha. Runs scared.

“It was really lovely to meet you. But I think my mother is waiting for me.”

“It was lovely to see you too. I’ve invited your family around for lunch. I’m hoping we can all get to know each other better.”

She kisses the air by my cheek, and I catch a whiff of Simon, the aroma catching in my throat and threatening to make me gag.

I smile again and hurry away.

“Was that Mrs Stanford you were talking to?” my mother asks, when I come to stand by her side. She already has a light raincoat draped over her shoulders and Jonathan stands ready with a closed umbrella. My gaze glides to the windows and I see the heavens have broken, water streaming down the glass.

“Yes.”

“Hmmm,” she says, a content little smile hovering on her lips.

By the time we’ve made our way through the congested city streets, it’s late afternoon.

“I’m going to have to drop you at the house, pick up Daddy and the suitcases and head straight for the airport. Honestly, I can’t understand why the traffic is so bad today.” She drums her fingers on the door handle, and I peer out at the rain splashing in the puddles.

“Studworth are playing Liverpool today. Big match,” Jonathan adds.

“I should have known.”

“It’s OK, Ma’am. We’ll make the airport in plenty of time.”

My mother twists in her seat to face me. “You will be OK, won’t you darling?”

“Yes,” I laugh. “I’m going to be fine.”

“Don’t get all anti-social just because I’m not here, though. If you’re invited out, then go.”

“I’m going to the spa tomorrow, remember?”

“And if Simon asks you out on another date …” I roll my eyes and look back out at the rain. “Alexa!”

“I’ll let you know if he does,” I mutter. “I hear you already agreed we’d go around to lunch at his parents’ house.”

“I think it’s what you need. He’ll be a little more restrained and well behaved with us grown-ups around.” She giggles and takes my hand in hers. “I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for wedding dresses in Nice.”

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