Page 51 of Partnering with the Artist

Well. A lot can change in two days.

Maelin whispers, “You…were talking about me two days ago?” Her beautiful gaze searches mine. “Have I done something wrong?” She shifts her attention to Viktor. “I promise I haven’t asked for anything beyond a job for my sister. Everything else has just sort of…happened.”

Forcing his tone to soften, Viktor says, “It’s okay, Maelin. I know. Zakery is…” His gaze hardens before it hits me. “Unique.”

“Viktor is under the impression that I am a terrible person,”I say. “Since I am soulless and devoid of emotion, I leave a trail of broken hearts wherever I go. Fans, time and again, throw themselves at me.” And I’m still trying to decide if that’s better or worse than when they throw their undergarments on me. “I’m theprinceof the Bachelor brothers. I receive love letters regularly. I shred them because pink paper makes pretty confetti. Viktor doesn’t want you to become another victim under my spell.”

“You struggle with identifying your emotions,” Viktor mutters. “Why are we painting me like I’m the bad guy for understanding something you yourself accept as fact?”

I don’t know. Maybe because right now I really, reallyhatethat fact? Maybe because right now Maelin is holding my hand, and I don’t know why but I never want to let go? Maybe because her emotional pain feels more real than my physical pain ever has, and I desperately need it to go away? Maybe becauseI don’t know.

Biting back the revolt in my stomach, I say, “Viktor is trying to make sure you don’t get hurt, Maelin. That’s all that’s really happening here. He saw us in a precarious situation after not a long time at all, knows that I can’t possibly feel anything of substance for you since it takes me longer than a week to even recognize that I’m in physical pain, and is trying to address the situation before it gets out of hand. He’s a good big brother like that.”

“When Zakery was twelve, his appendix burst,” Viktor murmurs, eyes going dark. “He didn’t even notice the signs. Once Lukas and I managed to get him to the hospital, he was diagnosed with sepsis. Kaleb had just left home. We didn’t know if you were going to make it. We didn’t know if Kyran would be okay, alone with our parents. It was terrifying. Every single part. And what did you tell us when you woke up from surgery?”

Stiff, I force a breath into my lungs. “I said I was sorry I didn’trealize sooner. I really thought it was a tummy ache.”

“Yeah. You walked into the hospital with us with a burst appendix and told the doctors we were overreacting. You said your pain was a two, but we were worried about the fever, so we dragged you in. You smiled. Pleasantly. The entire time.”

Just like Mommy and Daddy trained me to. “I’ve…gotten better about being in tune with my emotions, haven’t I?”

“Yes. But I don’t think I’m being overly difficult. Do you?”

I stare at Maelin’s hand in mine for several long moments, then I shake my head. “No.”

“I just want to make sure both of you are okay. And aware.”

“I…appreciate that, Viktor. Really. It was just an accident. Promise.”

He rises, reaching for what remains of the main course. “I believe you. But if anything less than accidental occurs, please, Maelin, understand how Zakery is, and, Zakery…follow Kaleb’s advice.”

“Ew.”

Viktor shrugs.

“You raised me better than to dare to have relations with a woman I’m not married to.”

He heads toward the fridge to package the leftovers in tupperware. “I sure hope so. I also hope I raised you to help clear the table.”

I look at the neglected plates and leftover food. Only Kaleb cleared his place setting. He’s officially my new favorite brother. Sighing, I turn to Maelin.

Her eyes are already on me, searching, boring, peeling me apart. “Are you okay?” I ask, possibly feeling sick, but who knows? As previously addressed, I’m not good at identifying that sort of thing.

Silent, she nods.

“Are you still hungry?”

Her head shakes.

“Are you sure?” I press. “I’m sorry about this. But it’s no reason for you to go hungry. Everyone means well. No one’s in trouble.”

Her lips part; she wets them. “Can we…talk after we clean up?” Her gaze cuts toward Viktor. “Privately?”

Great. That can’t be good. But, still, I nod. “Of course.”

Chapter 18

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