Knot a Good Idea (Bittersweet Omegas #4)

Chapter 19

19

DONOVAN

You’re a giant POS.

I smirk at Hunter’s text message. Yes, I gave Hunter and Liam the wrong day, but Hunter had almost a fucking week with her and Liam is already her favorite.

And I need to make up for how badly I fucked up.

I was cold and indifferent to her the last time we talked. Not unlike how I normally am, but April deserves more than that.

She at least deserves me to try to be nice.

She’s smart, witty, and beautiful.

Way too good for me.

That was a very hurtful thing to do, Donovan. I wanted all of us to spend time with her.

Liam’s message makes me frown.

So, I respond to our group message with my plan.

I’m going to ask her to move in with us for a few weeks.

Logically, it makes sense.

The next events are a party at the pack house, another gala, then the wedding.

It doesn’t make sense to bring her back and forth to Isleton when she could just be staying with us.

It’s practical.

And after having her to myself this afternoon, I’m reluctant to let her go.

Kyle’s mom smiles at me as we clean up the warehouse and the children begin to leave. “I’m so glad to see you happy, Donovan,” she says kindly. “You’re so special to these kids. You deserve someone special.”

I almost snort at the ridiculousness of her words, but nod instead. “I appreciate the sentiment, Jackie.”

April stands next to me, having an in-depth conversation with Kyle, who insists on showing her his paintings.

“Don’t lose this one,” Jackie adds.

April stiffens next to me, her scent slightly souring.

“I’m not planning on it.”

The sour note dissipates, and all is right in the world.

It’s embarrassing how much this woman affects me.

There are supposed to be no feelings involved, at least for me.

We’re simply business partners with a set project completion date.

After the wedding, the contract expires, and she’ll no longer be in our lives.

But just sitting with April on the concrete floor painting shitty flowers has made me happier than the last ten years of my life combined.

Better than when Axton became a public company.

Better than when I paid off my mother’s house, and she sobbed in my arms.

Better than the first day of our art program.

April’s presence brings me peace.

At the very least, I can not be a grumpy prick to her at all times.

“Dinner?” I ask her as we exit the warehouse. The rest of the kids and parents have left, so it’s just us standing outside the building.

She frowns and looks down at her clothes. “Like this?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Her eyes widen. “Uh, because if I sit down at a fancy restaurant like this, someone will call the cops on me?”

“Not if the restaurant is already rented out and waiting for us.”

“What?” she laughs, looking at me incredulously. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, we have a dinner date in an hour. It will be just be us.”

“Sorry, you rented out a restaurant ?”

“Well, technically, it’s a diner. But the owner knows me, and I can promise you some of the best diner food you’ve ever had. Their pies are famous, but I wouldn’t dare compare them to your baking.”

April raises an eyebrow. “Donovan Axton, loving a hamburger and fries?” She places her hands in her pockets and grins. “I would have thought your endless supply of green juice would forbid it.”

The wind blows her hair, and I’m enraptured by her scent.

She’s vanilla with the rich scent of cinnamon.

She’s warmth on a cold day.

I was going to ask her to stay with us once we had dinner. I wanted to have April to myself all day before I proposed it.

I wanted to apologize fully and show her I was ready to try to at least be a friend.

But I’m ready to ask now.

I clear my throat. “I have something?—”

“Donovan?”

A light voice interrupts our conversation, and I frown.

I know that voice and scent.

She’s always been an overwhelming powdery floral, and I used to tolerate it for the pack.

But it was never ideal for me.

I turn to face Kelly, who’s walking up the driveway in heels and a fitted cream tweed dress.

She looks out of place in the industrial park with her polished sleek bun and full face of makeup, dressed as if she’s attending a cocktail party. Her hot pink glamourous car that’s parked on the sidewalk sticks out as well.

I can feel April tense next to me.

Shit.

“Kelly,” I nod, giving her a tight-lipped smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

She makes a face as she looks me up and down. “Eh. Yeah, I won’t get too close to you.” She wrinkles her nose. “Painting again?”

April’s scent darkens, the cinnamon overwhelming the vanilla, and she takes a step closer to me, her arm touching mine.

“Yes,” I reply cooly. “What are you doing here?”

“You never RSVP’d.”

I frown. “Surely, we did.”

“Well, it must be lost in the mail then, or something.” She finally looks at April. “Hello,” she says politely.

“Hi,” April replies.

“You could have called, Kelly,” I say curtly. “You didn’t have to show up.”

She purses her lip. “Polite as ever, Donovan.”

April’s fingers intertwine with mine as she takes my hand.

The tension in me immediately dissolves, and a sense of pride swells in me.

April is staking her claim in front of Kelly.

It shouldn’t be a big deal. To everyone, she’s our packmate.

Still…

I squeeze her hand in reassurance.

Kelly notices and her eyes widen. “Oh! I thought you were his student,” she says to April. “I’m Kelly. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. You’re getting married? Congratulations.” April replies cooly, though I can scent her unease.

Kelly smiles. “Eh, it’s more of a formality thing. I’ve been with my pack for ten years. But, you know, sometimes you have to have a party on a private island, right?”

April remains silent for a bit too long. “Of course.”

“I wouldn’t have had to come here if he would have RSVP’d,” Kelly pouts, giving me a pointed look. “I could have ruined my red bottoms.”

“A tragedy,” April says, while Kelly nods enthusiastically.

“See? She gets it. So, you’re for sure coming?” Kelly bounces on her heels. “We can send a boat or a helicopter for you guys. Whichever you prefer.” She looks back to April. “Ooh, April. Has he taken you on his helicopter yet?”

“Yup.” April’s voice is clipped.

Then, Kelly smiles, genuinely. “Hell yes,” she says to April. “You’re in good hands with them. I’m surprised this guy finally found someone. Wait.” She cocks her head. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”

April’s scent is so spicy it’s overwhelming.

“No, just today,” April laughs, her voice slightly shaky.

Oh, shit.

There’s a chance that Kelly recognizes her.

An awkward moment of silence follows where Kelly stares at April cryptically before turning to me.

“Hmm. Well, I’ll see you at the wedding, right?” she says finally.

I nod curtly. “Yes.”

“Great. Well, it’s good to see you. And you, too.” She smiles at April warmly. “Take care.”

“You as well,” April replies softly, letting go of my hand.

She heads back to her car, and I turn to April as the engine revs. She flinches at the loud sound, and I can’t help but feel like an asshole.

Yes, the pack dated Kelly years ago.

Yes, we’re attending her wedding.

But it’s not because we necessarily want to.

It’s a show of good faith, because her pack founded a tech company similar to ours, and there are rumors of a rivalry.

Our software is just as good, if not better, but users like to compare the two.

And the fact that their Omega dated their rival business pack doesn’t help either.

Press will be there, and our attendance would show that there are no problems between each company.

An Omega on our arm makes everything look good, as well.

Which is why we needed April.

She looks at me, her lips pulled into a thin line, as if she’s already figured it out. “So, that’s an interesting way of meeting your ex.”

I nod. “I didn’t expect her to show up. I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head and sighs. “You don’t need to be sorry. It’s just…why are you attending her wedding?”

“Her pack owns Mason Tech. ”

“Oh, shit,” April mutters. “That makes sense.”

“It’s all for show,” I sigh. “I couldn't care less about any of this. But in our world…” I trail off.

“Yeah, I get it. You could have told me, though, from the beginning.”

The smile is gone from her face, and the mood has dampened.

Her scent is just as strong as before, with the vanilla almost completely faded.

I fucked it all up.

“So, dinner?”

Hey, I know my ex ruined the mood, but what do you think about moving in with us?

She gives me a soft smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Sure.”

The group chat I have with Liam and Hunter is exploding, both of them waiting impatiently for April’s answer.

I reluctantly answer them.

Ran into Kelly. Will ask later.