Page 18 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Ah, I get it—Damen must have said something stupid because that’s how he wishes the world worked,” Brayden deduced. “I listen to you because I like you… Do you honestly believe you’ve been telling Bryce what to do this whole time?”

My skin warmed. Well, yeah—

“I’d pay good money to seethat,” Brayden said, lips twitching again. “Bryce doesn’t listen to anyone. He’s doing what he wants, and he thinks you’re adorable.”

My breath caught as these horrible words permeated the air.

“We’re allowed to act independently unless you’re coming to us with a direct order. Even then, we can say no.”

“So…” My blood was rushing in my ears. Bryce was indulging me? It was too terrible for words.

There was the other matter of etiquette I’d breached. “Then how did I trap Mr—”

Brayden gave me an expectant look, and I awkwardly changed course.

“U-Uncle Caleb?”

“He’s a spirit,” Brayden explained. “They have togowhere you command them. You told him to ‘stay’.”

“I—” My shoulders slumped. That was terribly rude of me. “I didn’t mean to. I…”

Wait a minute.

My gaze shot up. “He told you what happened?”

“No.” Brayden grinned. “Bryce did—he thought it was the cutest thing. But enough of that.” He pulled another book out of his bag and laid it on the table. “If you have some time, read this. But don’t feel pressured or anything.”

He looked away. It was obvious he wanted me to read this book.

“Why?” I asked.

“It’s about fae family dynamics,” he said lightly.

My heart began to pound. “Wh-why would I need to know that?”

“Thanksgiving’s soon. Here, read this chapter,” he added, opening the book and flipping through the pages. He stopped and pointed to blurred words in fancy font.

Well, it was a blur to me. The words themselves were probably clear, but my head was beginning to feel light.

“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked. “The fae celebrate American Thanksgiving?”

“No.” Brayden’s grin wavered. “We just like to get together any chance we can. We like food. We celebrate most holidays from around the world—multiple Thanksgivings, Bastille Day, Lunar New Year, and others. Plus, there’s the full and new moons, then every weekend…”

Really now? It sounded like they just celebrated everything plus some more just so they could eat.

“Isn’t that a bit much?” I enjoyed food as much as the next person, but who could keep up with all this demand?

“Will you come to dinner?” Brayden asked, looking at the ground.

The only reason he’d be this nervous was if he was afraid of my reaction. There was only one major thing we’d disagreed on thus far.

“Willhebe there?” I whispered.

It was a miracle he’d heard my low question, but he did and responded anyway. “Yes.”

I couldn’t reply. How could he bring this up again? But…

I’d promised to think about it.