Page 86 of Hidden
“That’s not the problem,” Damen replied, straightening from his lunge and crossing his arms. “Why—”
“I had to think of something for her to do toearnstuff! She’s always refused gifts!” Finn waved his hand in my direction. “She’ll only accept things if it’s a necessity, like clothing. Sometimes she’ll resist even that. But I noticed she looked at different brands online—”
“You stalked her searches in order to discover what she likes?” Miles asked dryly.
Finn’s jaw clenched. “She picked them all out herself.” His attention returned to me. “Do you want the ones in my car or not?”
My chest tightened. I’d been following the conversation, of course. But the torrent of conflicting emotions made it difficult to decide how to feel. I felt violated. But it wasn’t news to me that he’d been monitoring my phone. It hurt, but…
I’d worked so darn hard for those shoes.
The smell of Finn’s laundry would forever be etched into my senses. The mental scars would stay with me the rest of my life. What kind of person would sit and eat cookies while their friend scrubbed their marble floors?
He always got crumbs over everything.
Besides, they were mine. And if I didn’t take them, no one—besides maybe Bryce—would appreciate them the way they deserved.
I would have to punish Finn accordingly, but there was no need to waste perfectly good flats. We were civilized people.
“I want them.” I stepped forward, holding out my hand for his keys. “Give them back.”
Bryce trailed along as Julian and I moved through the mall. It wasn’t crowded, and Julian would occasionally point to a window display, offering me glimpses into his preferences.
It was often variations of skinny jeans and short skirts with thigh-high boots. Everything with dark colors, I’d noticed. But nothing remotely like his sky-blue eyes.
“I thought your favorite color was blue?” I asked after he pointed out yet another strappy dress. “What’s with the black?”
Julian’s finger was still raised, and he paused as his face darkened slightly.
“This has nothing to do with my favorite color.” His words came out in a rush, and the lie was thick in his voice. “I only thought they might look good on you.”
“The color representing Water is a darkish blue, but usually black.” Bryce strode past us, his hands linked behind his head. He didn’t even glance as he continued toward the game store. “Julian’s favorite color is Prussian blue. Just thought you should know.”
Wow, Bryce really knew his colors. I was so impressed.
Julian’s face grew darker, and he glared after Bryce.
“I thought we had an understanding,” he muttered under his breath as Bryce stepped into the store. “But this might be war.”
War? Because Bryce embarrassed him? “Julian? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Julian’s attention turned back to me, but the warmth of his smile didn’t quite match his eyes. “Bryce is in a petty mood today. He’s probably annoyed I’m here. I think he wanted to spend time alone with you.”
“Why though?” My eyes shot to the store, suspicion growing with every beat of my heart. He wasn’t plotting against me already, was he?
“Nothing like you’re imagining, I’m sure.” Julian entwined his fingers in mine. This time when he spoke, the calm matched his expression. “Bryce is a generous person. Youshouldlet him buy you something. Ask him to spoil you. It’ll make him happy.”
My eyes flickered back to the glass door, not understanding this logic. How would that make anyone happy? When I had my money, it wasmy money. I didn’t buy things for people, and I would kill anyone trying to steal it. “But why?”
“Some people like to give gifts for no reason,” Julian said. “We would like to buy you stuff without you getting upset, but you don’t seem to welcome that.”
He couldn’t be right. That wasn’t how life worked.
“Nothing is ever free.” Gifts always came with a price, even if the price was kindness and loyalty. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a way of showing affection,” he said, as if oblivious to my inner turmoil.
“There are other ways of showing affection. I don’t have a problem with presents. If you care about someone, it’s better to make something. I like food. I like heirlooms. I like things that people make with their own hands.” I wasn’t entirely unreasonable. “Someone who is really invested in your relationship will actually take the time to make something. It’s insincere to gift things you can just purchase with money, and those people are usually the worst with wanting payback.”
