Page 14 of Knot Her Reality

“I’m a freelance graphic designer. It’s my passion, and I can do it from anywhere. It makes it easier for me to follow Reginald around for movie shoots.”

I smile as Tyler becomes more animated as he talks about his work. “You’ll need to send me your information. I’m always in the market for a good graphic designer. I’ve been thinking about redoing my logo. The current one is okay, but with the brand expansion, I think I want something more.”

“As much as I love that the two of you are getting along,” Reginald begins with a smile, “we do need to get your interview done before your suitors start arriving.”

Rolling my eyes at Tyler, I nod. “Let’s get it over with, then.”

The interview is quick and easy. Reginald just wants to get my thoughts on my first four suitors and how our group date went. Something tells me that unless there’s someone I don’t get along with, most of these interviews are going to be very similar. I understand why we have to do them, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying.

Reginald seems to notice my attention moving away from him and the interview, quickly ending it before leading me over to the circular driveway. “I know these interviews can be dull, but they’re important for putting the show together.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll try to do better.” I shrug. “I don’t even have an excuse. I guess talking about something that just happened seems odd to me, but I understand why we do it.”

“Your first suitor should be here any minute. Bree let me know she should be down before they’ve all arrived.”

I nod, my mind already wandering to the suitors I’m about to meet. This right here is why so many people never have a problem believing I’m an omega. They call me flighty because my mind is always somewhere else, but it’s not my fault that there’s always something else that needs my attention.

The sound of tires on asphalt tells me my first suitor has arrived without Reginald having to tell me. He steps back and moves to his spot, already talking to the cameras. I can’t imagine having to do his job. He regularly has to talk to the camera as if it were the actual audience. It makes sense, but I’d feel self conscious about basically talking to myself. Knowing Reginald though, he’s probably never felt self conscious a day in his life.

I straighten up as the limo comes to a stop in front of me, the door swinging open and a man steps out. He’s on the shorter side, probably closer to my height without my heels, but just as attractive as the other suitors have been. He’s wide and bulky, making me guess that he’s an alpha, despite his shorter stature. There’s a bit of a salt and pepper color to his close-cut hair and neat beard, a cocky grin on his face as he moves toward me.

“Well, it seems we have an Amazonian omega, doesn’t it?” he says with a laugh as he stops in front of me, his scent wafting toward me. Cranberry and orange scones—yum. It’s one of my favorite treats. That’s a definite bonus in his favor, making up for his comment. It also confirms his alpha status.

“Not an Amazonian,” I say, my smile tight. “Just tall and in heels.”

He hums. “I’ve always wondered why tall women feel the need to wear heels. Do you enjoy being taller than men?”

My back goes up, but I fight against it. His gray eyes don’t hold any malice, and it’s possible that he’s just nervous. I might not like his comments, but that doesn’t mean I should lose my cool.

I manage to keep the smile on my face, but it feels brittle. “Honestly? I don’t think of others when I’m dressing. I dress for myself, not for others. I like heels, and they make my legs look great, so I see no reason to stop wearing them. If anyone is put off by my height in heels, then there’s no reason for them to be around me, right?”

Internally, I wince. So much for holding my tongue.

“I didn’t catch your name,” I continue, wanting to cut this off before it becomes a thing. “I’m Evangeline.”

“I’m aware,” he says dismissively, his eyes raking over my body. It takes more effort than I’d like to admit to not squirm under his watchful eyes. Sadly, not because the look makes me hot and bothered, but because it doesn’t. His gaze feels lecherous as it runs over me. “My name is Viktor Russo. I’m thirty-nine, a book editor, and alpha, as I’m sure you can tell. Before you get any ideas, I don’t edit silly romance stories I’m sure you read. I edit for non-fiction.”

Biting the inside of my cheek, I force myself to keep smiling and take a deep breath. I hadn’t anticipated disliking someone so much upon our first meeting. “I think you’d be surprised about what I do and don’t read, Viktor. Though my job doesn’t allow much time for reading in general, I actually quite enjoy reading about history.”

“That’s surprising,” he says, and I wonder if he realizes just how condescending he sounds. “And this job of yours? Being a fashion designer? How long do you think you’ll be able to continue doing that once you have a pack and start popping out babies?”

Glancing over his shoulder at Reginald, I beg him to help me. I’m not sure if it’s the desperation or the rage in my eyes that gets to him, but he clears his throat and gestures for me to wrap it up.

“Well, as lovely as it’s been meeting you, it looks like our time is up. I’m sure we can talk more once the other suitors have arrived.” I’m effectively dismissing him, and he one hundred percent knows it based upon the anger in his eyes. Instead of saying anything, he just nods and steps around me.

I allow my eyes to fall shut as I try to rein in my annoyance. First impressions aren’t always correct because people don’t always act like themselves, but if Viktor’s attitude continues, I’m unsure that he’ll make it very far in the season.

Focus, Evie. Don’t dwell on the negative. We have three more suitors to meet, and there were four amazing suitors yesterday. They can’t all be a match for you.

Feeling better after my pep talk, I open my eyes and find Reginald staring at me. I give him a quick smile and thumbs up as I ready myself for suitor number two.

I don’t have to wait long for the next limo to arrive. When the door swings open, the first thing I see is a long, bare leg. When the woman finishes stepping out, her eyes finding mine, a smile lights up my face. She’s beautiful with her perfectly curled honey-blonde hair. The dress she wears is navy blue and strapless with a lace overlay that hits her mid-thigh. A train wraps around her waist and trails to the floor in the same lace, and I’m so glad she chose this dress. It looks like it was made for her.

Finally breaking our stare, she steps toward me with a smile on her face. It doesn’t take long for her hot cocoa, marshmallows, and candy cane scent to find me. and my smile only grows. It’s an amazing scent, and something tells me it suits her perfectly.

“Hi,” she says shyly, offering me her hand. “My name is Lillian. Lillian Ireland. Beta and twenty-three.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sweet girl,” I tell her with a purr that sends a blush across her skin. Her dark brown eyes lower before meeting mine once again as I take her hand in mine. “Tell me a little more about yourself. What do you do for a living?”

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