Page 77 of Reflections of Peonies
But something was missing. Nothing he’d shown me matched his eyes.
“I thought your favorite color was blue?” I asked, eyeing yet another strappy black dress he’d highlighted. “What’s with all the black?”
Julian’s finger was still raised, and he paused as his face darkened slightly.
“This has nothing to do with me.” His words came out in a rush, and the lie was thick in his voice. “I thought they might look good on you.”
“The color representing Water is a darker blue, but usually black.” Bryce strode past us, his hands linked behind his head. He didn’t even glance as he continued toward a game store. “Besides that, 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 as Bryce entered 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 being petty. He’s probably annoyed that I’m here. I think he wanted to be 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 hisexpression. “Bryce is a generous person. It would help if you let him buy you something. He’ll be happy.”
My focus flickered back to the glass door. How would that make anyone happy? When I had my money, it was my own. “But why?”
“Some people like to give gifts for no reason,” Julian said. “Fae men especially. We also would want to buy you stuff, but you don’t 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 like handmade things. I like food. I like heirlooms. I like things that people create themselves,” I told him. I wasn’t entirely unreasonable. “That’s how you know it’s genuine. The only occasions other purchases are acceptable are birthdays and holidays.”
“I know it’s not what you’re used to, but this is how society is today.” Julian shrugged. “And Bryce was raised in this world. If you want to try to understand how he thinks, let him spoil you.”
Why should I need to understand him? He should be the one kissing up to me.
But then again, Bryce did have control of my money. It was probably prudent to figure out how his mind worked. See the kind of steward he was.
I narrowed my eyes at the bright sign. “If he wants to give me something, he can buy me another pair of Burberrys.”
Julian lightly pushed me toward the store. “Let him buy you something, or don’t. It doesn’t matter either way, but see what he’s doing regardless. I need to do something.”
My attention returned to Julian. He was pointedly not looking at me anymore.
“Are you trying to run away?” I asked.
“I’m doingsomething,” Julian repeated, his mouth lifting in the corners. “And you’ll never be rid of me, so don’t worry about that.”
“What—” I began, but Julian lightly pressed his lips to my forehead and then slipped away.
I grumbled under my breath, stomped into the store, and spotted Bryce instantly. He was standing in front of a colorful shelf, intensely studying the game in his hand.
I watched him—something was off about this picture. He looked unhappy.
He was supposed to be partaking in a joyous hobby, so why did he look so solemn?
