Page 112 of Whispers of Wisteria
My thoughts stuttered.
That was seriously all it took? She fought every time we tried to do anything kind. But the moment she thought she didn’t have a choice, she caved.
Or maybe I was reading too much into this.
“Okay,” I said slowly. “I’ll meet you there.”
Bianca nodded stiffly, not meeting my eyes, and a sense of unease settled in my bones. She stepped beside me, floral scent wafting in the wind, and her gaze was downcast.
“Hey.” I grabbed her arm before she could move past me. She stopped, startled, as her gaze snapped to mine.
My resolve steadied. I wasn’t wrong; she was off.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Besides being punched.”
I held my breath as she opened her mouth.
“Not—” she began, but then paused. Her hand trembled before she said, “I’m fine.”
She wasn’t fine.
I narrowed my eyes. Fae couldn’t lie without consequence, but Bianca’s definition of ‘fine’ landed far differently than most people’s.
How much practice had that taken?
Even so, she stood without flinching while her discomfort pressed through our Bond.
I had to do something.
She made a sound as I gently tugged her to me, and her weight cut easily through the air. Her eyes widened as she fell closer. She caught her balance as I took advantage of her surprise and kissed her forehead.
The moment lingered, and when I pulled back, her cheeks were bright and her gaze clear.
“Don’t worry,” I told her, touching my thumb to the soft skin behind her jaw. “It’ll all work out. Damen could never be mad at you for long, even if he wanted.”
“Oh,” she said, blinking fast.
“Are you better now?” I asked.
“Y-yeah,” she said. But the space between us felt colder. She stepped back, tucked her hair behind her ear, and repositioned the ice pack with her other hand. “I am. I must have been tired from the enchantment.”
I pursed my lips. “Right.”
“I—” she stammered, pressing her toes against the sidewalk. “I’m not feeling coffee right now.” I blinked at her, but she continued before I could ask, “You have something to do, right? I’ll wait at the car.”
She walked off before I could protest.
How long before she remembered she’d taken my money? I should say something, but it’d be funny to see what she’d do once she realized.
Later.
I moved the instant she disappeared around the corner.
He knew when I arrived,but I expected nothing less from Zane Papadakis.
He’d shifted slightly towards me, but didn’t look when I stepped beside him and crossed my arms.
Instead, his focus remained on Bianca as she trudged towards the library parking lot.
