“He’s a friend, Eric.”
“Don’t feed me that line. I know you met him at David’s show—I’m not blind, Eve. Are you involved with him?”
She wished she could say yes. Her gaze flickered over to where Reynner was making rapid progress assembling her sculptures, then glanced away. “Not in the way you think. I’m helping him with something—and, no, I’m not telling you. Christ, Eric, give a girl some privacy.”
At the concern in his hazel eyes, she relented. “I’m sorry. I like him, Eric,” she whispered. “I really do.”
“Does he return those feelings?”
“It’s complicated.” Her friend understood how difficult it was for her to form any real relationships with her disability. Whatever he saw in her face, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Her fingers balled, Eve hugged him back and blinked away the dampness in her eyes.
He glanced at Reynner, lowered his voice. “He looks…dangerous. Just be careful, okay? You’re my little sister, Eve, and I don’t want you to get hurt. Because then I’d have to hurt him, and he’d probably flatten me—you don’t want that, do you?”
With a trembling smile, she eased back. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not pushing.”
He sighed. “Believe me, I want to—but I love you and trust you to know what you're doing.”
Inhaling a steadying breath, she headed out of their crated forest back to Reynner. Not by a look did he reveal if he’d heard their conversation. But those indigo eyes skimmed over her face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
His gaze became steel. So he did hear them.
It was foolish to hope he wouldn’t. Hurriedly, Eve picked up more clamps and began reassembling the rest of the sculptures. Reynner and Eric worked alongside her.
“That should do it for now,” Eric said a while later. “See you Saturday, Eve. You can check on the final display before showtime.”
“All right.” Eve picked up her bag from one of the crates. “See you then.”
“Reynner.” Eric nodded.
“Eric.”
A hand on her back, Reynner ushered out, startling her at that possessive move as they headed toward the elevator. Eric followed
Stepping away from Reynner, Eve pressed the button then swung around. “Oh, Eric, I meant to ask, did that…” Darn, she didn’t want to ask about this in front of Reynner, but could do little else unless she wanted to scurry back into the warehouse to ask her question. “Didthatpainting sell?”
“Yes. Same night. I can check my sales record if you’d like?”
She grimaced. “God, no, I don’t want to know. Thank you.”
Laughing, Eric rubbed her arm in affection. “I’ll see you soon.” Then to Reynner he said, “I trust you’re coming to Eve’s show?”
“I’ll be there.” A promise.
She wasn’t sure if territory was marked, but she wasn’t interfering in this age-old battle for dominance. Besides, she had a feeling she knew who would be the victor. Except, why would he fight whenshewas the prize?
“Good. Now, I’ve got to run.” Eric took off for the stairs to the top floor.
Her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and frowned at the cracked glass. But when she saw the name on the display, she bit her lip.
“Aren’t you going to answer your call?”
