Page 77 of Beautiful Exile

She struggled not to laugh. “It’s borderline. But we don’t talk about our work that way. Right, guys?”

“Right,” Benny said quickly.

“Mm-hmm,” Isabella agreed.

Gracie just nodded.

“But it’s always okay to ask for help, right?” Arden pressed.

Another round of agreement.

“Who can help Mr. Linc?” she asked.

Everyone volunteered. Even Benny.

As I eased back in the chair that would likely leave me permanently injured, all three mini artists dove in with suggestions. But my gaze followed Arden as she wove between the tables. She had a way with the kids. The crowd of tiny humans didn’t seem to faze her. It was the adults she was wary of.

Denver strode out of the gallery doors, crossing the space and heading straight for Arden. My teeth clamped down, and annoyance rose. I didn’t like him. It wasn’t altogether logical, but the man irritated me. Likely because of how he looked at her.

There was an attraction for sure, but it was more. He appraised her like a blank check, just waiting to be signed.

He bent and whispered in her ear. Arden’s expression turned hard as she shook her head.

“Mr. Linc,” Isabella prodded. “Are you paying attention?”

I was not.

“Sorry, Isabella,” I said, trying to refocus.

Benny glanced over his shoulder and scowled. “I don’t like him either.”

Suddenly, I was united with my little nemesis.

“He looks at Miss Arden wrong,” Gracie whispered, darting a glance at Denver before turning back.

The quiet ones usually saw more, and Gracie was definitely that. But the fact that she could pin down the wrongness made me edgy.

My annoyance burned brighter as someone new entered the courtyard. Quentin Arison, the douchebag from last week. He strode directly toward Arden, looking ridiculous in his tailored suit and dress shoes when it was over eighty degrees outside. His over-the-top watch peeked out from under his sleeve, and the diamond ring on his pinky finger was absurd.

“Ireallydon’t like him,” I muttered, pushing back my chair and stalking toward the douchebag.

28

ARDEN

I wasn’tsure who to give my best Benny glare to, Denver or Quentin. Quentin was a douchebag for sure, but it was Denver who kept allowing him into my space.

“Arden,” Quentin practically cooed. “It’s so kind of you to spend your time teaching these…little ones.” He saidlittle onesas if it tasted bad. “But shouldn’t you be focusing on your work?”

My annoyance shifted into anger territory. “You say that as if you have any say in how I spend my time.”

Denver started coughing, his face flaming. “Arden,” he hissed.

I sent him a scathing look that had him shutting his trap immediately.

Quentin simply laughed. “Such fire. Would be interesting to find out what it takes to break that spirit.”

I gaped at the man opposite me. He hadn’t seriously said that, had he?

---