Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(51)

“It is fun.” Ivy headed for the aisle of colored pencils.

Bryn browsed the bookshelves until she found manuals for beginners. She was leafing through a book entitled Learning to Draw Landscapes when a masculine voice startled her.

“Have you ever been to Italy?”

Bryn lifted her gaze and found herself face-to-face with Prince Charming. Of course he wasn’t really Prince Charming. He was just a man in his twenties, wearing a suit, but his golden skin, bright blue eyes, wavy blond hair, high cheekbones, and blindingly white teeth fit her childhood image of the fairy-tale character. She was caught off guard, and it took her a moment to reply.

“No. Why do you ask?”

He pointed at the picture she’d been studying. “The picture in your book reminds me of the view from my veranda in Italy. Those are olive trees, and that is the wall of a villa.”

“Oh,” was the only thing she could think to say.

“You’re her, aren’t you?” His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re Bryn McKenna.”

She backed up a step in case this was about to turn nasty. “I am, and you are?”

“I’m Merrick Overton.”

He seemed to expect some sort of response.

“Sorry, I don’t know many Blues.”

“I work for the Directorate.”

Great. “The Directorate and I aren’t on the best of terms.”

“No matter.” He smiled. “Do you draw?”

Why was this guy talking to her? Since he was being civil, she did her best to play along. “My friend does. I’m hoping she can teach me.”

“You’d like my villa in Tuscany. The views are spectacular.”

In what alternate universe would she spend time in a Blue’s villa in Tuscany? Time to be direct. “Is there a point to this conversation?”

He gave a warm chuckle. “I always preferred the straightforward approach. After you graduate from the Institute, you’ll need a benefactor.”

“I appreciate your optimism, but I’m just learning how to draw. I doubt I’ll need someone to fund my art.”

His eyebrows went up. “You’ve no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

Bryn shook her head. She didn’t like being the source of his amusement.

“When you figure it out, don’t be angry. I’m a collector of rare and beautiful things.”

Ivy showed up. She looked back and forth between Bryn and Merrick. “Everything all right?”

“He doesn’t want my head on a stick, but I’m not sure what he does want.”

Merrick gave another blinding smile. “I must excuse myself, ladies. Have a lovely afternoon.”

Bryn’s mind whirred. She was missing a vital piece of information. Her stomach growled, interrupting her thought processes.

Ivy made a show of checking her watch. “It must be feeding time. Let’s pay and go meet the objects of our affections.”

“What?”

“You have a crush on Zavien.” Ivy moved to stand in line at the cash register.

Crush didn’t sound right. It made her feelings seem childish. “I don’t have a crush. I enjoy spending time with him, when he isn’t being an ass.”

Ivy gave her a knowing look. “If he kissed you, would you run away screaming?”

Her face heated. “No.”

“That’s what I thought.” Ivy reached the front of the line and paid for her pencils.

Bryn attempted to pay for the book, but the cashier refused her card.

“Mr. Overton paid for your book. He said it was a gift for an aspiring artist. You’re a lucky girl.”

She didn’t feel lucky. She felt conflicted.

“Take the book, dear,” the saleslady said. “He doesn’t expect anything in return.”

“How do you know?”

“He’s well respected. His family’s been on the Directorate for generations. In fact, you should probably send him a thank you card.” The woman passed her a business card with an address written on the back. “I wrote the address out for you.”

“Thanks.” Bryn took the card and slid it in her pocket. She would send Mr. Overton a message once she figured out what he’d been talking about.

Zavien and Clint waited for them in Snacks Galore with a bucket of caramel corn already on the table.

“Find what you needed?” Clint asked.

“I did.” Ivy draped her dress over the back of her seat and leaned her bag against the table leg. “Bryn made a new friend.”

“Do I want to know?” Zavien asked.

“No, you don’t.” Bryn tossed a piece of warm caramel corn into her mouth.

Zavien crossed his arms and waited. She ignored him and ate more popcorn.

Clint raised a hand. “I want to know.”

“It’s Bryn’s business. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Ivy dished out more caramel corn.

“Do they have real food?” Bryn grabbed a menu from the napkin holder. “I’m ready for lunch.”

“What a surprise,” Zavien said.

She flipped him off and perused the menu. “Do you want to eat here, or should we go someplace else?”