Page 21 of Knot Her Reality

“It absolutely is, young man, and I don’t want to hear any lip about it,” Tina says, hands on her hips as if she’s so much older than him. I bite back a snicker as his eyes narrow, but he quickly pulls it on before stomping toward one of the kayaks.

This time I don’t bother to hold back my eye roll. Some men, I swear. They just never stop acting like children, do they?

Lillian struggles with her life jacket, but before I can offer to help her, Alejandro is at her side. “Here, let me help you.”

I practically melt where I’m standing. It’s just like yesterday with Jagger and Skylar. Okay, it’s not quite the same thing, but it’s along the same line.

“Did you need some help, Evangeline?” I jump at the sound of Dustin’s voice. If I’m honest with myself, I completely forgot he was even here. How bad is that?

“Ahhh, no, Dustin, but thank you.” I pull on the life jacket, grinning up at him. “Would you like to paddle along beside me so we can talk?”

His eyes light up. “Oh, really? That would be awesome.”

That definitely makes me feel better about forgetting he was here—kind of, at least. I’m still an asshole.

After we all climb into our kayaks, Tina helps by giving us a push into the water. Dustin struggles at first, so I slow myself down so I don’t leave his side.

“This is harder than I thought,” he says with a chuckle. “I don’t spend much time outdoors.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. So what do you do for fun?”

He makes a face as he glances over at me. “I’m a bit of a nerd. If I’m not working, then I’m usually playing video games or getting together with my friends to play D&D.”

I perk up at that. “Oh, yeah? Do you have a class you prefer to play?”

“You know D&D?” he asks, surprise written all over his face. “How?”

I laugh, throwing my head back. “Just because I’m a fashion designer doesn’t mean I don’t have a nerdy side—I’m multifaceted like a diamond.”

He snorts. “Okay, I see it now. Definitely a nerdy side. As far as classes, I love barbarians and wizards.”

“That’s two very different classes.” We cut across the water, Dustin seeming to have an easier time of it while we’re talking. “I personally love rogues and sorcerers. I’ve even done a multi-class between the two.”

“That’s so cool. I can’t believe you play D&D. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been questioning why I was chosen to come on the show. We’re so different that I just couldn’t see what we could have in common.” Dustin laughs again. “But it’s because you’re a closet nerd.”

“Yeah, I guess I am.” Before I can say anything else, something bumps into my kayak and since I’m already leaning toward Dustin, it throws off the balance. I only have a second to freak out before the kayak rolls, the water rushing up toward my face.

The water is colder than I thought it was, stealing any breath I might have had. I shake my head, feeling the life vest trying to lift me to the surface, but first, I need to get out of the kayak. Trying to keep calm, I drop the oar and slip out of the kayak. As my head breaks the surface, I take a gasping breath. My body shakes, and I realize why no one else is out on the water right now. I’d been fine in a tank and shorts while in the kayak, but the water is so cold that I know my body is already going into shock.

“Evangeline!” I hear someone yell my name and turn in a circle as I try to find the person. Something thumps up against my head, sending me back under the water. What the hell? Did someone just hit me with a kayak?

Thank the gods for the life jacket as it forces me back to the surface. I blink against the water running down my face, coughing as I try to expel the water I swallowed. My ears are ringing, and when I lift my hand to my head, it comes away with blood.

Chapter Seven

Evangeline

Well, that’s not good. What the hell happened?

“Evangeline! Can you hear me? Are you okay?”

Continuing to blink, I spin in a circle before my eyes land on Finnegan, who looks like he’s about to jump into the lake.

“Don’t jump in,” I try to tell him, but my teeth are chattering so hard, I think it comes out like gibberish. “The water is too cold.”

Finnegan frowns but pauses his movement. A splash nearby has me turning once more, wincing as the world spins and my stomach threatens to rid me of the contents of my stomach. Finnegan curses and shouts something, but I can’t make out what it is.

“Come on, Evangeline. I’ve got you.” I look up into the most beautiful pair of olive green eyes and smile.

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