Page 79 of Knot Only For One Night

“No, he didn’t know why he wanted to help me. He didn’t even know he was into guys. But after coming out as an omega and dealing with that… we helped each other.” He shrugged.

“I’m glad you had each other,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around him and cuddle my face into his chest. His soft hoodie and pomegranate scent cool my internal inferno down a bit. “Once I’m… ready, I’ll be more than happy to help you out with your condition.”

He laughs. “Sex never sounded so unsexy.”

“I just…” My face goes beet red. “I just meant that… I don’t know. I would obviously benefit from being an omega and all. I’m sure Reed is doing a fine job.”

I shake my head as Asher laughs even harder at my misery and kisses my forehead. “I knew exactly what you meant, Moonlight.”

“Gosh,” I say, hitting my head against him, wishing I could erase that embarrassing moment from my brain.

“Let’s get these sandwiches to our Pack before they get cold.”

My morning was glorious. Walking in with a backpack full of food is the perfect way to start the morning, and we laid around my dorm room until I had to actually start getting ready for my interview.

Four incredibly gorgeous men hanging on my every word and hyping me up for an hour is great for my ego. Even though I’m still so nervous.

I glance down at my power outfit. A maroon shirt and matching dress pants. Kitten heels and my black portfolio bag. Layouts of storefronts, paragraphs of reasonings behind each decision. Moodboards, client example projects—everything they need to see if I am the right fit for them.

And yet… I feel frazzled. Unprepared.

I left the guys in my dorm, giving Neven the key so he can lock up after they leave.

They wanted to take me to my interview, but I was already at level nine on the anxiety scale. More importantly, though, I wanted to stand on my own two feet here. I’m not just an omega with a courting Pack. Someone with a cushy backup plan. Someone less deserving of the role just because I’m an omega or in a Pack.

I wanted to show up as a person. Not an omega. Not a Pack member. A designer.

Just until I can be all three without having to care what others think because my work speaks for itself.

Crisp air conditioning and a waft of descentor spray greets me as I step through the door to Fleur Interior Design Firm. For once, the slight burn up my nose is worth it.

“Hi,” I say, but the receptionist hardly looks up at me. Her brown hair is pulled tight in a bun, and I’m suddenly second-guessing the curls I put in mine. Maybe I should have done a tight bun too?

“Name?”

“Esper Malent,” I answer, tucking my hair behind my ears.

“Someone will get you.” She keeps typing on her keyboard, not having looked up at me once. I control my exhale, trying to calm my tingling nerves as I turn around to sit in one of the white crisp chairs.

Despite the cold reception, I would love the chance to work here. Fleur is a mix of Parisian fashions and American hustle. The main lobby has two white chairs decorated with color pillows, pastel colors and in shapes of flowers. The wooden coffee table in front had magazines and colorful flower-shaped coasters. The walls are plain too but decorated with carefully placed art and coordinated colors.

It’s beautiful.

The greenery in the corners of the room is carefully picked out, placed so that it has a wave of green along the wall and lines the large window in the front.

I wouldn’t mind working here on a daily basis.

“Malent?”

I dart up, my portfolio gripped tight in my hands. Despite how I’m feeling, I plaster a warm smile on my lips as a woman with light blond hair and blue-framed glasses waves me back.

Her office doesn’t follow the balanced whimsy of the main lobby. Black and white values contrast against each other in ways that make you want to get lost in. The mind is filled with daydreams and thoughts, filling dark black spots with ideas and inspiration.

The chic modern office matches the woman to a tee. Her tight white blouse and jet black pencil skirt make me feel like a kid.

I shake my head a bit, putting my game face on as I sit in the chair in front of her desk.

“Hello, Esper, I’m Jules. I manage the retail design clients for Fleur and am stepping in for Ms. Lovewell for today’s interviews. She had an emergency client this morning.”