Page 2 of Knot Their Reality

I can do this.

With those affirmations, I follow Bree out of the suite and then out the front door. As with the first season, a gazebo has been set up for the interviews with the guys. But I'll also have my initial interview there with Reginald, surrounded by the gorgeous roses that have such a significance to this show.

"Sophia, it's wonderful to see you again." Reginald offers his hand to me once Bree and I step under the gazebo. I lay my hand in the beta's, and he kisses it with a grin and a wink.

"What did I tell you about flirting with the omegas, Reginald?" Bree gives a heavy sigh, rolling her eyes. It's definitely not the first time I've heard the two of them argue about this exact issue. It's honestly hilarious, but it's also a constant reminder that I don't have friends like this in my life.

I had no problem putting my all into my career, but why didn't I bother to make friends? Why did I think I needed to travel this road alone?

I shake my head, knowing it does me no good to regret a past I can't change. All I can do is move forward and focus on the future, on the choices I make from here on out.

"Is it really flirting when I know he doesn't actually want me?" I ask with a tilt of my head.

Bree's head snaps to me, eyes narrowing. "Don't you dare side with him. You're supposed to be my new friend, not his."

I hold my hands up in surrender. "I'm just making an observation. No sides are being taken here."

"She's not wrong, Bree. This is my public persona, the one you wanted for your show." Reginald shrugs as if it's no big deal while looking at his nails.

"And what does Tyler think?" Bree bites back.

Reginald frowns, dropping his hand. "Dirty pool, Bree. But he knows I don't mean anything by it and it's what keeps me America's favorite leading man, so who is he to complain?"

"Your omega," I say with a snort.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"I heard that, Reggie, and we're going to have a talk about this when you get home."

I turn my head to see Bree holding up her phone as she giggles. "Is that..."

Reginald nods. "Yes. That's my omega, Tyler, who is currently in our cabin. And apparently, Bree felt it appropriate to call him so he could hear me. Ty, you know I hate being called Reggie."

"I'm aware," comes Tyler's tinny voice, "just like you're aware that I'm friends with Bree too. You don't get to act like this and not reap the repercussions. As I said, we'll discuss it later. Thanks for calling, Bree. Sophia, you're going to kill it."

"Bye, Tyler," Bree and I chirp as she hangs up the phone.

Reginald shakes his head. "I can't believe you just did that to me. I thought you were my friend—that you loved me. Why would you hurt me like this?"

Bree waves her hand in his general direction. "Whatever. You know you love it when your omega ties you up and punishes you."

Now my head spins toward Reginald, eyebrows lifted. He just shrugs, but there's a bit of pink to his cheeks as he straightens his button down.

"Well, as fun as this has been, I believe we have an interview to get done before the suitors begin to arrive."

Bree clears her throat as she turns to me, wrinkling her nose. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be so unprofessional with you here. Even though I feel like I've known you forever, you're still this season's omega, and I should be treating you more professionally."

"Absolutely not," I argue. "Please, do not treat me any differently than you have been. I don't need a producer who doesn't care about me. I need you, Bree; the omega who has already gone through this. Who worries about me and jokes with me. I'd prefer a friend over a producer any day."

Bree's smile lights up her face. "Good. I'm glad to hear you say that because I don't know that I can be any other way. But we are on limited time so I'll step over here so you can get your interview done. But first things first." She lifts the microphone and walks over to hook it on the front of my dress. Then she makes her way back down the stairs before moving to stand behind the setup where they have to watch the interviews.

"Shall we?" Reginald asks, gesturing to the chairs. I nod and sit down carefully, making sure to not wrinkle my dress. "Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I tell him as I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin so I can be sure the camera catches my best angle. I might not be obsessed with my looks, but I do prefer to look my best when I'm going to be on millions of television screens.

Reginald glances back at Bree, who gives him a thumbs up before turning to face me once more. His eyes focus on the camera over my shoulder as he says, “Hello, I’m Reginald Williams, and welcome to the second season of Heated.”

Then his head turns to face the camera off to the side. "We're so glad to have each of you with us, whether you're new viewers or old. As with the first season, we have an omega who is eight weeks from her heat. She will spend those weeks getting to know the twenty suitors who have been selected for her so that she can find her pack. This season's omega is Sophia Durham."

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