Uh… “Are you sure, Sol? This is the only bank not owned by the Rippses.”
“I’d rather bury my money in a field of steaming piles of centaur shit than support something owned by him.” Her voice was quelling.
Tears were close at hand.
Bain’s brows drew together. “If this is about what happened last weekend, then you should know that I don’t mix business and pleasure. This appointment is purely business.”
Soleil glowered at him. “It’s not about that.”
“I can see your soul. You’re lying,” he said.
Yikes. I winced. Not the right thing to say, Mr. Unicorn.
Pink stained Soleil’s cheeks, and she fell mute.
I cleared my throat. “It looks like whatever happened last weekend really embarrassed Soleil and maybe hurt her feelings, Bain.”
The wrinkle between his brows deepened. “Why is that?”
From what I understood, unicorns could feel corruption around them. That was why the herds refused to live in Nepos. To reside here, Bain had needed to keep his senses liquored up and numbed. I imagined he wasn’t greatly… socialized as a result.
I peered between them. “That’s between the two of you. To talk about.”
Soleil crossed her arms, not taking my hint.
“Is it because I did not kiss you back?” he asked.
Ouch. I grimaced on my friend’s behalf. No wonder she’d kept quiet about what happened.
And she couldn’t lie around him either.
Soleil squared her shoulders and took the only dignified path left to her. At least in her mind. “Cerys, I don’t want to be here. Let’s go.”
Heart sinking, I nevertheless nodded. “You got it.” I lugged my tote up and over my shoulder.
Bain strode forward and stopped before Soleil, who wouldn’t look him in the eye. That just wasn’t my friend. She kicked ass in high heels. But love made fools of us all.
Me most of all.
The unicorn cupped her jaw, wrapping his other arm around her waist. Bain kissed her soundly. Soleil melted into him after a shocked moment or two.
I squealed inwardly, refusing to look away as societal norms probably demanded. If I had to keep quiet about their true love so as not to ruin their journey, then I’d damn-well stare at them kissing.
A full minute passed.
Soleil shoved him away. “How dare you!”
Bain stumbled back a few steps.
“I don’t want your pity kiss,” she withered.
Seriously. If I had popcorn right now.
“My kiss was not one of pity.” He ran a hand through his shiny white hair.
“You’re only kissing me, so I’ll bank with you!”
Anger filled his voice. “Are you implying I touched my lips to yours for my own gain?”