Page 17 of Knot Just for Show

“I’m Ursula, a moderately successful makeup artist and hair stylist—also working in Hollywood.”

“Damn, ok so now I know you know how to look good,” I can’t help myself, the flirting just comes naturally.

Usually, when I pull one of these kinds of moves in ‘real life’, whichever girl I've decided to set my sights on tends to end upthrowing themselves at my feet—even if I've only set the flirt-lasers tostun.

“Ehh, I don’t know about that one,” Ursula lets out a whinging groan.

“Plus, we shouldn’t be fishing about how we look, right? It’s called ‘Build-A-Pack-Blind’ for a reason, isn't it? Can’t fall in love with a six-pack or a chiseled jaw, or a great rack from behind a wall; it’s all about what’s on theinside.”

She laughs when she says it, but her words land unexpectedly hard—a coldness rising in my stomach.

“Well Teddy, this was…interesting for sure,” she begins, the sweetness in her voice clearly meant to let me down easy. After one date—barely a few words exchanged and already this woman seems to think she’s got me figured for the shallow end of the kiddie pool.

Part of me is angry. I want to say something funny to diffuse the situation and make her laugh, or to say something mean—just to feel less pathetic and vulnerable.

I think of my moms again, and cringe at the idea of being mean for the sake of protecting my fragile ego.

“Hey, Ursula?” I begin, my voice unsteady. I can’t remember the last time I got what I wanted with what’s on theinside.

I try to speak, but the fear grips me even tighter,have I ever gotten anything worth having with something besides my body? My physical prowess? My good looks?

“Yes, Teddy?” her voice is definitely further away now. Was she already making for the door!?

“I really liked talking with you today. I feel like I’m probably not as smart as some of the guys that you would usually date, but I would really like to talk with you again,” I blurt out, my pulse thundering at my throat.

“Really?” Ursula lets slip a surprised laugh.

“Yeah, I wanna hear more about you next time, too.” I can feel the smile tugging at my lips, even though I’m not sure why it’s so important to me that this chick gives me a second chance.

“Ok, Teddy—we’ll have to get into our own backstories a bit next time. Until then—have fun on your other dates,” she calls through the wall.

“Ok, I’ll be waiting—don’t have too much fun on yours!” I give a knockout smile to the wall for the benefit of all the watching cameras.

Wall or no wall, I’m going to show everyone—I’ve still got it. I’m not just a pretty face and an incredible body. I’m also a more than passable actor, and I’m not going to fuck this up.

Chapter Six

Ursula

After my first five dates of the morning, there was a break for lunch. Lucky for me, Roxy had already saved me a seat beside her at the breakfast bar. Leave it to the sigma to decide to take me under her wing. The pair of us settle in for a lunch ofcatered sandwiches and salad, isolated from the rest of the group—just how Roxy likes it.

“Ok, so—this is where we decide if we’re gonna name drop or not,” she lays out a tiny paper napkin over her knee, her face deadly serious in contrast to the silly gesture.

“I don’t care. I can tell you right now that I’m not going to play you for some dude.” I crinkle my nose and lance a wad of salad onto my fork to demonstrate my distaste for the idea of going after a guy I know Roxy is serious about.

“Atta girl! I knew my gut feeling was right about you,” Roxy laughs and gives me an affectionate punch on the shoulder.

“So, who’s got you interested so far?” She leans in, her electric pink and ash blonde ponytail bobbing as she lowers her voice. “I can tell you two names I am absolutely going on a second date with.” Roxy bites her lower lip, eyes darting to the tables and sofas filled with other girls—both of us doing our best to ignore the camera crew glowering at us from the far side of the kitchen island we’re eating at; all the while still aware that our lavalier mics are most certainly still catching every whispered word.

“Who?” I ask in my own excited whisper, to some onlooking producer’s delight.

“I know that I can’t see or smell them… but I feel like I’m already super into two guys I think are going to end up being trouble—my typical type, but I can’t help myself.”

I laugh and roll my eyes at her.

“Trouble? What do you mean, trouble?” I raise a brow and purse my lips.

“Ok, so there’s Anton,” Roxy begins and I can’t stop the laugh that escapes my lips as a quick buzzing raspberry.

---