Page 61 of Knot Her Reality

That’s not something I’m good at, but even with that, I don’t think Sterling will be here after tonight. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but he’s out.

Once we’re done with the interview, I push myself to my feet. It’s time to get to know the suitors a little better. We’ll be having dinner in the dining room tonight since Evangeline will be getting ready in her suite and eating in there. I know most of the suitors haven’t had a chance to be on the first floor much because of the way the show’s set up, so hopefully, they’ll get to feel a little freer after tonight when we’ll be able to roam at will.

We all make our way down the two sets of stairs and head into the dining room. I pause in the entrance, trying to get an idea of the dynamics before finding myself a seat.

“Hi, you’re Tessa, right? Bree’s business partner?”

I turn my head to find a petite brunette standing there. It takes me a moment to recall her name. “Yes, and you’re Natalie, right?”

“That’s me. This is my alpha, Ronan.” She gestures to the man at her back. “I’d love to sit with you during dinner, if that’s okay with you? I have so many questions about what you and Bree have accomplished. And honestly, you’re gorgeous, so that’s an added bonus.”

My eyes flicker up at her alpha, who’s shaking his head and fighting a smile. I don’t bother fighting my own as I nod. “I think I’d like that.”

“Don’t feel like you have to tell her yes,” Ronan says. “She’s a troublemaker who needs to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around her.”

Natalie glares at her alpha, but I just laugh. “No, I think I’d enjoy sitting with the two of you. Something tells me that nothing is boring with Natalie around.”

“You’re damn straight,” she says proudly, grinning as she leads us up to some open seats. When she goes to pull her chair out, a hand stops her. She turns her head to look up at Conrad, who shakes his head.

He doesn’t say anything, just waits for her hand to fall away before holding the chair out for her. I find my smile only growing as I watch them, while Natalie shakes her head and mumbles under her breath. I don’t catch all the words, but there’s definitely something about already having an alpha who treats her like something. Honestly, I don’t think it matters what she says. It’s clear she’s embarrassed by his attention as she flushes, but the hitch in her breath when he runs his hand over her cheek tells me she also likes it.

“Are you going to sit or not?” Natalie asks, obviously pouting as Conrad sits one chair over from her with Gavin on his other side and Ronan takes the one beside her.

“Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” I bite back my smile when she turns to me with a glare.

Someone clears their throat from behind me, and I turn to find Koda and Lillian standing there. Koda gestures to the empty seats. “Do you mind if we sit here?”

“Of course not. Have a seat. I was just thinking about how I wanted to get to know the other suitors.”

“That’s perfect, then,” Lillian says softly. Koda pulls out her chair for her before he sits beside me.

I see Alejandro and Jagger filling in the other seats beyond them. Then there are a few empty seats with Sterling sitting at the head of the table that isn’t reserved for Evangeline. Of course, he is. Gods, he has such a high opinion of himself. On his other side sits Viktor and Dustin, the three of them having a whispered conversation.

Shaking my head, I glance across the table to find Cora and Skylar sitting across from Gavin and Conrad. Next to them are Bradley and Evander, and then Pack Reyes. Ana is sitting the furthest down, and while her eyes rove over the table, she never once looks at me. That’s… interesting, to say the least.

“Okay, Tessa. It’s clear that Bree is brilliant and comes up with great ideas, so what part do you play in the whole process?” Natalie asks, drawing my attention to her.

I chuckle, loving how she just says what she’s thinking. “I make her ideas become a reality.”

She peppers me with questions while we eat, Koda occasionally tossing in one himself. I wish they’d let me ask more about them, but I understand wanting to know more about how the show works and what it’s like to be an alpha with an omega as a partner.

Before I know it, we’ve all cleared our plates and Bree is ducking her head inside the room. “Don’t forget, all of you have to get ready for the rose ceremony as well! Formal wear only.”

That gets most of us scrambling from our chairs. “It was nice getting to chat with you all, but if I’m not up to snuff, Bree will have my head.”

Laughter fills the room as we filter out, and I can’t help wondering if maybe coming on the show was just the right thing to do.

Chapter Eighteen

Evangeline

Hours later, I find myself stewing over Sterling’s behavior. Who the hell comes on a reality dating show and acts like that? Based on our interaction when we first met, it’s not something I would’ve expected. Sure, he’d pushed himself into my space before I even knew his name, but then he’d backed off. He’d been so excited to talk about the games he has designed, making me think he was a bit of a nerd.

I was so not prepared for his machoism. Is that even a word? Fuck, I don’t know, and I don’t really care. I just can’t believe how differently he came off between our initial meeting and the date. It was like he changed literally overnight. Fuck, I don’t know, but I really need to let it go.

I managed to push it aside while having my date with Tessa, Evander, and Bradley, but now that I don’t have the three of them distracting me, I’m just pissed. No matter how much I try not to let it affect me, I just can’t seem to let it go.

“Evangeline, I’m going to need you to relax your face,” Allison says with a sigh. It’s not the first or even the second time she’s had to tell me that while trying to do my makeup.

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