Page 107 of The Heir's Bargain

I didn't know how much time had passed or how many drinks Moris had finished when Fynn nudged me in my side. "Dani?"

My gaze snapped up to meet his. "Hmm?"

"Do you want to get some air?"

I blinked and wiped my palms on my trousers. "Sure."

Fynn scooted out of the bench, and I followed. He guided me through the budding crowd, his hand wrapped tightly around mine. Music was playing, but I couldn't identify the song. The noise was no more than an echo in my ears.

Fynn opened the door, the bell above the threshold faintly ringing as he ushered me forward. Outside, he led me around the corner of the tavern, down one of the small alleys.

He spun and grabbed both of my hands. "All right, talk to me."

I scanned the area, and my countenance twisted.

Dusk had long since settled, leaving behind heavy shadows to dance across the alley in the faint glow of the waning moon. On the main street, the occasional groups walked by, but we were too far away to make out what they were saying.

I quirked a brow at Fynn. "Why are we in an alley?"

"For some resemblance of privacy. There's something wrong, and I wish to know what it is."

I took a small step backward, freeing a hand. "I'm fine, Fynn."

Fynn cocked his head. "Do you make it a habit of lying to those around you?"

"I'm not lying," I said, rubbing my arm.

Fynn pushed his fingers into his hair. He looked up at the stars, the moon illuminating his features. "You've barely said a word to me."

"That's not true. I?—"

He shook his head and interrupted, "Saying hello does not count."

His hands fell from his hair, the ends standing in different directions. I had the insane urge to run my fingers through his hair and fix the disarray.

Unaware of my thoughts, Fynn continued, "And hello? Dani, how is it possible that we appear to be in a fake relationship more now than when we were actually in one?"

I jerked back "What? That's not true."

Fynn sighed and took a step forward.

He shook his head, huffing an exasperated laugh filled with exhaustion. He pointed at my feet. "That's precisely what I'm talking about."

I looked down at the ground.

Fynn might have taken a step closer, but I had taken a step back, the gravel on the ground disturbed, showing my retreat. I didn't need my tracking skills to notice that.

"You're avoiding me, Dani."

"That proves nothing."

Fynn took another step forward, and my back hit the brick wall.

"Are you sure?" he asked, quirking a brow.

"Yes." I tipped my chin up, arms crossing over my chest.

Even in the shadows blanketing his face, the faint trace of sadness in his brown eyes was evident. The bump on this throat dipped. "Is it me? If I did something, tell me, and I'll fix it."

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