“So why even go along with his suggestion?”
“Because it doesn’t hurt. You only make your life harder by challenging him.”
“At least I’m consistent.”
“What do you mean by that?” Reyn was nothing if not consistently charming.
“You were batting your eyelashes at me one instant and flirting with Enzi the next.”
“I was not. I made it perfectly clear that I had chosen you. Not insulting someone is not the same as flirting with them.”
“Fine, let me rephrase. You are keeping your options open. As soon as our task is done, you’ll be able to run back to him and he’ll welcome you with open arms.”
“As strange as it may seem to you, most people like me. Yes, I work hard to maintain my welcome everywhere I go, but not because I am fickle. It pays to keep people on your side. Why should I alienate someone when instead I could stay close enough to catch all the gossip, learn all their secrets, and ensure I have leverage should the need ever arise?” Reyn snatched her hand back from Velario’s arm. There was no need to maintain the charade here. “That’s why I am especially careful to protect my position with those I’d least like to spend time with. It’s a stance you ought to consider.”
“I have too much stress in my life to waste my social hours pandering to men and women I can’t stand. You ought to consider finding a set of beliefs worth standing up for instead of agreeing with whomever you are near.”
This comment hit too close to thoughts Reyn had entertained on her own. She summoned her brightest smile—had she really thought she could forego her masks around Velario just the other day? “I just remembered I told Roena I’d stop by her shop this afternoon. I should go now. Until later, Lord Velario. Just let me know when you need me to come to the bank.”
