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Sienna sighs dramatically. “You’re boring.”

Damian turns to Rhett. “Go.”

Rhett’s jaw clenches, but after a moment, he nods.

Where is his defiance against Damian now? He cowers to him in person but schemes behind his back.

Am I being fair? Damianisscary sometimes.

When Sienna and Rhett walk away, Damian turns to me. “I’m sorry about the necklace.”

My head jerks back. “Why?”

“I never meant to give it to you in front of everyone. When I picked it out, I really thought you’d like it.”

I swallow. The necklace is interesting as a piece of history, but a little ostentatious for me. But I get the feeling if I tell him that, it might hurt him.

“It’s beautiful,” I say. “Why did you give it to me in front of the whole party?”

His fingers drum against the wall. “You were smiling at Rhett. I didn’t like it.”

“Why not?”

His mouth presses into a thin line. “You never smile at me like that.”

Warmth unfurls in my belly. I really do think he might be changing. Right now, he seems almost vulnerable.

“Rhett and I have a different dynamic.” I keep my voice gentle. “I’ve known him my whole life. He’s like family. I could never have deep conversations with him like I have with you.”

His head snaps in my direction. “Really?”

“Yes. I could never talk to Rhett about moral ambiguity or free will. He just wouldn’t find it interesting.”

Damian watches me closely. “ButI’mnot dull like he is. You might care for him, but you like talking to me more.”

There’s a strange sweetness to his arrogance—it sounds more like posturing, like he’s trying to convince himself, not me. It sends a pang to my chest.

“I do. I find you…very intellectually stimulating.”

Damian grins. “We should read a book together. Meet in the library and discuss it.”

My throat grows tight. He’s trying—going out of his way to please me.

“What would you want to read?” I ask. “I’ll bet you’d pickThe Art of WarorMeditationsby Marcus Aurelius, and I don’t think I can stomach either of those books.”

“Marcus Aurelius,” he scoffs. “Stoicism is the philosophy of the neutered. I want to read your favorite book.” His brow furrows. “What is it?”

“Oh no. We arenotreading that.”

His eyes narrow. “Why not?”

“You’d learn too much about me.”

His expression softens. “Good. I want to learn more about you. I want to learn everything.”

I cough to clear the tightness in my throat. “Give me some time. I’ll come up with something.”

“Think fast. I’m taking you somewhere in a few days.”