Page 86 of Knot Our Reality

Bradley clears his throat, speaking up for the first time since we arrived. “Because it’s technically a shade and not a color.”

I point at Bradley. “See? You won’t believe the amount of times I’ve heard that before. What about you, Bradley? Do you have a favorite color?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe blue?” He shrugs. “It’s not something I’ve given much thought to.”

“But you’re a teacher. Isn’t that something that comes up?” Lee asks, making a good point.

Bradley chuckles. “Not with high schoolers, no.”

I wait for him to continue talking, but he remains silent, his focus on the surrounding plants.

This is why I said we’ve beentryingto get to know one another better, but Bradley doesn’t want to partake in our game of twenty questions. Which means I’m learning a ton about Lee, but next to nothing about Bradley. He does seem really interested in the various plants, though, so I guess that’ssomething.

I’m not big on plants, but I thought it would be a nice thing to do where we could talk, that isn’t too physically taxing on me.

“Okay, Lee. How about your favorite movie?”

On Friday, Paxton and I end up eating at the Greek restaurant that delivered food for my date with Camden and Wilder. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the amazing food all week. It’s not quite a craving, but it’s pretty damn close.

Thankfully, it wasn’t my mind just building up how good it was.

“That was really good,” Paxton says as we leave the restaurant, pulling me close when I shiver. It’s not overly cold just yet, but it’s going to be a cold one tonight. It’s supposed to drop down to 40° tonight, and my stupid ass forgot to bring a jacket.

“It was, and thank you. I should’ve brought a jacket.” I snuggle into him, sucking in his cinnamon and nutmeg scent. It makes me think of Christmas, which is next Friday. I can’t believe I’m spending Christmas with the boys on the compound where we’re filming a reality dating show.

It’s insane that this is my life. That I have fifteen men, plus cast and crew, willing to spend their Christmas here with me so I can find a pack and keep my children.

“Are we heading back to the compound now?” Paxton asks once we make it back to the warm SUV.

Thank goodness Lucas was thinking ahead to get it warmed up. I can already feel the heat sinking into me.

I shake my head. “No, I have a surprise for you. Do you trust me?”

“You haven’t given me a reason not to.” He chuckles. “Surprise away.”

Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up to a building with no sign, and Paxton turns to me with raised eyebrows. “Can I change my answer?Did you take me out here to kill me? Because I’ve gotta tell you, it’s probably a bad idea since your every move is being filmed.”

I giggle, swatting at him with my hand. “Of course I didn’t take you out here to kill you.”

“I figured not, but I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to incriminate yourself on film.” He grins as Mike jumps out of the SUV and hurries up the path.

He’s back in a flash and then we’re being led into the empty recording studio.

Paxton’s jaw drops as he looks around, eyes wide. “A recording studio?”

“Yeah, I found a place and talked to Bree about it. She already got with your recording company, and they’re going to get you back to work as soon as you can.”

He shakes his head as his eyes meet mine. “But why?”

“Because you clearly love it, and I can tell you hate that you had to stop to come on the show.” I shrug. “You might not be able to work on it as often as you could if you weren’t here, but I figured I could give up some time with you since you gave up recording to meet me.”

He stares at me for another moment, disbelief and awe in his eyes as he cups my cheek. “I’m going to kiss you now, Emilia.”

“Good,” is all I manage to get out before his lips are on mine, and it’s a damn good kiss.

He’s grinning when we pull apart, his eyes landing on a guitar. I can tell he wants to play, which works out for me since I want to hear him.

“Play for me?” I ask him.

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