Page 75 of Reflections of Peonies
“I only asked you a question. You never told me what you wanted me to do with it!” Bryce frowned as he crossed his arms. “That pink monstrosity cannot stay in my room. It’s giving people the wrong idea. Brayden keeps making fun of me.”
How dare he blame his inability to be discreet on me! It wasn’t my fault he sucked at covert operations. “I never said you had to keep it on your bed!” I pointed at him. “You’re the one who put it there, so maybe you secretly want it.”
“That thing is yours?” Brayden choked on his coffee as his face paled. “Now I feel bad.”
“All right, just stop.” Miles stepped between us, shielding me from Bryce’s disdain. “Before the rest of us have heart attacks, can someone please explain what you’re talking about?”
I groaned, and shame prickled at me, replacing my annoyance. When I responded to Miles, I couldn’t even look at him. Instead, I studied my chewed fingernails. “It’s my rabbit. I askedBryce to get it for me from my dorm. That’s the only thing I wanted.”
There was a moment of silence before Bryce cleared his throat. “It’s not quite how it sounds. I, too, was confused at first.”
I peeked up at Bryce as he spoke to the others.
“Confused about what?” I asked.
He ignored me. “She’s referring to a stuffed rabbit toy. It’s filthy, worn, and possibly diseased; she should not be sleeping with it.”
“Don’t make fun of me!” Indignation hit me, and I glowered at him. “And don’t say it’s filthy. I wash it all the time. And just so you know, I don’t even keep it in my bed! You know what? I regret asking for your help.”
“What is it?” Damen’s eyebrows were raised in question. “Why is that the only thing you sent Bryce to get from all your possessions?”
I covered my hot face again. But, thankfully, I was saved from answering. Julian had pushed to my side and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Does it matter why she wanted it?”
“No.” I could almost hear the frown in Damen’s voice. “I was just wondering.”
“Besides, that brings up a good point.” Julian’s hand squeezed my arm. “We should be headed out soon.”
“You’re ready to go shopping?” Bryce sighed, lowering his crossed arms. “I added you to the account—”
“Julian.” I pulled at his shirt, interrupting Bryce. This was the perfect revenge. “Julian, when we go shopping, will you pay for me?”
His brow furrowed. “But I thought that—”
“Please?” This was going against my every instinct, but I persevered. “I’ll add it to my tab.”
“Of course,” Julian replied, rubbing his thumb in circles overmy arm. “But please stop doing that. You don’t need to pay me back.”
“I’m paying you back,” I said.
“Yes, dear,” Julian said, patience lacing his voice.
“It doesn’t matter.” Bryce shrugged, eyeing me. “You can be as stubborn as you want, I’m still coming. But you’re overlooking something rather important.” I frowned at him as he continued, “You need shoes.”
“You didn’t even grab shoes?” Damen lectured. “How neglectful.”
Bryce glared at Damen. “She said she only wanted the one thing.”
“Why are you so literal?” Damen said in a scathing voice.
Finn stood and shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked at me. “You left a pair of shoes in my car.”
My breath caught, and, for a moment, I forgot to hate him.
His words gave me hope, although I had no idea which pair he might be referring to. “Which ones?”
“How am I supposed to know?” Finn shrugged. “They’re blue. They’re fancy. And they have buttons.”
“My Tory Burch flats?” I covered my mouth. How could I have forgotten? I’d changed from them the day we acquired my Tamara Mellon wedges. Not all hope was lost.
