Page 108 of Whispers of Wisteria
For a second, I thought Kasai was back. But the burgundy velvet curtain ripped back with such force that it pulled against the frame. Bryce stood there, his stance coiled, andhis expression flat in that dangerous way that told me he was working very hard not to escalate.
“So you still hide in theaters.” Bryce crossed his arms. “Though weeping backstage is certainly an improvement from crying in the janitor’s closet.”
“I am not crying.”
“You should be,” he said sharply. “Do you require assistance to get to that point?”
“You can’t stand there and judge me when you couldn’t even keep her safe,” I argued.
I regretted the words the instant I spoke them.
Bryce’s expression had been empty of his usual pompous loathing, maybe even slightly open. But his gaze hardened at my accusation.
“Fine.” His voice was clipped. “I didn’t want to be your friend anyway.”
The absurdity hit me like a ton of bricks, shattering past my darkening mood.
It felt like ages since I’d laughed so hard.
“What the fuck?” I asked when I could finally catch my breath. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“We’re going to be friends again,” he said, glaring at me with a pointedness that made me pause. “Or we’re supposed to be.”
He was serious.
The ridiculousness of the situation faded, and wariness set in. He stood there in silent expectation, already decided.
This didn’t bode well.
“Why?”
“Because Bianca said so,” he said, inspecting his perfect manicure.
I gave him an even look. She wanted us to be friends?
I highly doubted that.
Bianca had been consistently antagonistic towards Bryce. It was almost comical to watch. She wouldn’t want to risk losing me in this fight.
There was no way that’s what she wanted.
They were exactly alike—Bryce and Bianca—and always reading into things and hearing statements that didn’t exist.
Fae were literal, but some were more extreme than others: less able to assimilate. Luckily, I’d had years of experience to know how to approach this.
“What did Biancaactuallysay?” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. It’d been a long time since I’ve had to break down one of Bryce’s statements.
“That you have other emotions outside of being a self-righteous prat,” Bryce answered, his guard lowering once more. “It’s admirable how easily she sees through you while the rest of your quintet does not.”
Although his statement was factual, his tone was accusatory; my heart seized.
I stared at him.
Shesees through me…
It became harder to breathe. Sure, that was what she was supposed to do, but damn.
I wasn’t ready for this.
