Page 21 of Bargains with Benefits
“Vincent, are you coming in?” a voice called over my shoulder. Any chance we had of escaping was gone with my sister’s question.
“We’ll be in momentarily, Skye.”
I turned my icy glare back on Luna. If we were going in, I wouldn’t let her have this battle with my sister.
“You agreed to this, remember?”
Luna’s gaze met mine, and any warmth was gone. “I’m here to save my inn, Vincent. We already discussed this. I’ll do what you think is best.”
My gaze narrowed on her skirt. She followed it, and her fingers smoothed over the bright fabric. I saw the moment she realized what I was upset about. Her cheeks pinked in a way that had nothing to do with the brisk breeze. My wind surged, wanting to rush to her and shelter her from whatever she felt.
“I see.” She swallowed, glancing again between her skirt and the window. “I’m more than willing to do whatever you think is best. I know it doesn’t look like I’m trying to fit in, but I didn’t consider it before leaving the cottage.”
Asshole. Table for one.For the first time, I wished I was Suden fae to burrow into the earth and never be found. My wind surged in agreement.
Ofcourseshe wasn’t mocking me. She had just been confidently herself upon her arrival. As I watched her hands nervously tangle in the skirt, I knew I’d taken that from her, and hated myself a little for it. My wind’s silence on the matter was confirmation enough.
“Right,” I said, with no recovery whatsoever, “let’s get this over with.”
She nodded and followed me into the shop. Thankfully, we were the only ones at the boutique and had free reign. Skye smiled at us from behind the counter. She stepped forward, offering her hand to Luna.
“I’m Skye, Vincent’s sister. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
I winced from my position behind Skye. Luna’s gaze shifted briefly to mine as she greeted my sister warmly.
“Vincent says you were looking for more traditional old fae outfits.” She gave Luna a brief once over, somehow doing so without judgment. “Are you alright if we tone this down a bit?” Skye bit her lip as she glanced around the store.
I tried to see it through Luna’s eyes. The colors were all muted in comparison: browns, whites, grays, and navy blues.
Luna smiled. “I’ll be happy with whatever you suggest.”
Though I hadn’t thought it fit her style, I’d selected this place because of the sweater she’d worn when I met her. “You had a piece from here, didn’t you?”
Her head tilted, and then her lip curled into a smirk. It didn’t quite fit her face. “That wasn’t mine,” she said. “Just something I was required to wear to meet with Darius.”
A tempest swirled in my chest as understanding dawned. Her own father had toned her down to meet with him. This was a mistake. I shook my head, wondering if I should call the whole thing off. The article could focus on the land—on the cliffs and the sea—I could leave her out of it. Once people got to the inn, they’d fall in love with it.
You’re selling her as old fae to get them there.
“It’s fine.” She waved her hand. “That sweater was nice. Let’s see what else Skye can find.”
“You only need a few,” I hedged. “We need you to be seen in a few fae establishments over the coming weeks. You’ll only need to blend for those events.”
Skye gave me a questioning look. I’d told her I was bringing a friend who wanted some new clothes. I hadn’t thought she’d approve of my current deal with Luna. She’d told me in no uncertain terms how she felt about the other time I’d bargained with my column.
Even though she’d benefited from my last bargain, whether she liked it or not.
Skye and Luna walked around the boutique. Skye suggested the most unique styles within the more neutral colors. An off-the-shoulder sweater, a cropped sweater with a draped neck, and my favorite, a long cardigan-like jacket. I may have bargained to get Skye this job, but she was good at it. She watched Luna’s reaction to everything she suggested and adapted her recommendations based on what she saw. My prior bargain with the column may have wounded my pride, but I was glad, at least, Skye got this from it.
The pair moved to the dressing rooms in the back while I took a seat on one of the chairs I assumed was precisely for my use. Well, maybe not precisely. Partners, lovers, and friends probably waited in these chairs. Not whatever I was. I stewed over that, wondering if Luna and I would ever stop assuming the worst of each other and regain that small slice of intimacy we’d found the night we met.
Unlikely.
I was too far from them to hear their conversation. There was more giggling than I’d anticipated. Luna did have that way about her. Friendly. Adored anywhere she went. It had appeared that way at the tavern. The older gentleman next to me at the bar and the owner had seemed protective of her. I bet she was the type who always saw the best in people, too. I bristled. Except with me, of course. My wind spun like a top, tilting this way and that as if to sayYou didn’t deserve it.
Sinking farther in the chair, I folded my arms across mychest. I was glad Skye was welcomed into Luna’s warmth, at least.
Lost in thought, I didn’t hear anyone approach. “Vincent, I didn’t know you’d be here.” The voice was one I, unfortunately, knew too well. My wind was immediately on edge, slicing through me, wrestling to break free. It would not be a playful wind if it slipped its leash.
