Page 39 of The Heir's Bargain

Dani snorted. "My name would have sufficed."

"I'll keep that in mind next time." I placed a hand on top of hers and grinned at the way Dani jumped slightly.

Behind us, I could sense the watching eyes.

My lips brushed her ear as I shifted closer. "Pretend to like me, remember?"

Dani scoffed but scooted closer.

"Ter is indeed skeptical," I said. "More shocked than anything, if I'm being honest. Still, we need to give them no reason to doubt us."

"I told you this would happen," she mumbled.

"Nothing we can't handle." I cocked a brow. "Now, lean back and giggle."

"Giggle?" Dani asked, her nose brushing my cheek lightly before she jerked back. "Why in the world would I do that?"

"To give the others the impression that I've been whispering sweet nothings in your ear."

"Why would I giggle because of that?"

"Because, Ferrios, when I flirt, a blush usually colors the woman's cheeks. But a blush cannot be seen in the dark, now can it?"

"That's preposterous."

"Or it only seems so because you haven't heard the things I say in private."

At that, Dani laughed. It might not have been a giggle, but truth be told, the full sound was even better.

"That a girl," I whispered as Lorenza reached the first chorus of the night.

Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad, I thought as I settled in my seat. Other than the hand-holding, nothing was different. The question, then, was whether we could convince everyone else. After all, the night had barely begun, and Terin was already casting us wary glances.

As Lorenza's first song reached its final note, I leaned over to Dani, raising a brow. "How about princess?"

"Oh, shut it," Dani whispered, smacking me in the chest lightly as the clapping erupted throughout the theater.

I chuckled.

Courting my best friend might be the most fun I've had in a long time.

Chapter 10

FYNN

"You and Dani, huh?" Terin asked.

A grunt escaped my lips as I swung the blade. "What about Dani and me?"

Without missing a beat, Terin blocked my attack, metal clashing together. Using his sword as leverage, he pushed against mine.

I spun away, retreating a few steps.

He swiped a hand across his short, buzzed hair.

Once, when we were no older than twelve, Graeson had decided to shave my hair, making Terin and I even more indistinguishable from one another than usual. Never again would I cut my hair that short. I found I liked giving my partners something to tug—even if the soft waves often fell into my eyes.

"It's a simple question, brother," Terin said, his forehead slick with sweat.

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