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His brows drew together, and he glanced at his hand. “There’s nothing wrong with this game. It takes practice and skill to master.”

“I could beat you.” I couldn’t seem to stop. Victory was close at hand. “If you buy me this game, I’ll fight you onthat. If I lose, you can bring my game back and I won’t hold it against you.”

“You don’t even play video games. How in the world do you expect to beat me?” Bryce asked, incredulous. “What if I make you cry?”

My pulse was pounding, and excitement raced through my veins. I won, and he had no idea. I’d teach him to make assumptions. “I won’t cry. You’ll be the one crying.”

“What?” Bryce pressed his hand to his chest and glanced around us, as if to make sure we weren’t overheard. And when he responded, his voice lowered. “You’re not going to be able to make me cry! I don’t cry.”

Why didn’t I believe him? His face was totally the face of a crier. “I—”

“How about this, honey-bee?” Bryce interrupted, the confidence leaking back into his tone. “I’ll get you this game,anda new system withallthe extras. Because if you’re picking stuff like this, I’m assuming you’d want the console that comes with it. When I win, I’ll let you keep it. But you’ll have to obey me for a month. If a miracle happens and you win, I’ll listen to you instead.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Just who did he think he was? He had to obey me anyway!

That was no reward, considering he already had to obey my every whim. But I couldn’t pass this up. With this negotiation, I didn’t even owe him a thing! It was brilliant.

“It’s a deal.” I ignored his smug smirk and glanced past him. “Where is it?”

The smile dropped from his face, “Where is what?”

“The console,Daddy.” I didn’t see it anywhere. He better not be lying to me. “I want everything.”

“I told you not to call me that.” He grimaced. “And it’s not out here. We’ll need to ask at the register. Follow me.”

Chapter Eighteen

Julian

Glass

With Bianca gone to bond with Bryce, my good deed of the day was now completed.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, trudging toward the jewelry store. I could hurt him later, but the clueless man needed all the help he could get. He’d never make the first move in forming a relationship with his sister, and Bianca was just as awkward.

Watching the two of them was almost painful.

But whether she would admit to it or not, she already saw him as a big brother. It was time for Bryce to step up.

However, playing babysitter wasn’t exactly how I’d planned on spending my day. Nor was this next part. But since Bianca had asked me to come… I couldn’t not stop by.

After all, it would be rude not to say ‘hello’ to family.

Besides, my cousin and I had a score to settle.

As I stepped through the doors, I spotted the tall, dark-haired woman. She was bent over the display, deep in conversation with Hanah Geier.

I didn’t even wait for my cousin to notice me, otherwise she might run away. “Kayla!”

She jerked upright. “Julian!”

I’d crossed the room in an instant. “Why have you not returned my messages?”

“Because you weren’t being nice.” Kayla frowned. She was already on the defensive, hiding her fear behind snark, but I knew her well enough to tell the difference. “You need to respect your elders. And why are you visiting me at work? You hate the mall.”

“I’m here with Bianca.” I waved off her attempt at redirection. “She’swhat I need to talk to you about.”

“Bianca is here?” Hanah stood, her eyes searching past me. “Where is she?”