Page 78

I Already Looked Like I Belonged

We were now in Lyon, France, and it looked different than every other city we had been in.

It was older here.

The buildings were taller, closer together, and made of stone. The streets were narrow and alive with people walking, laughing, carrying shopping bags, and wine bottles.

Ares parked along a quiet luxury street.

I stepped out when he opened the door for me and looked around.

“This city is nice.”

He shut the door.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

I followed him down the block until he stopped in front of a jewelry boutique.

The windows glowed with diamonds sparkling on velvet stands like tiny stars.

I glanced at him. “A jewelry shop? Really?”

He already had the door open. “Come on.”

Inside the shop, everything looked exclusive. Polished glass counters. Dark wood cases.

A woman behind the counter greeted us in French, smiling politely.

I walked slowly along the display cases while Ares stayed right behind me.

Close.

Too close.

“I don’t need jewelry,” I said as I picked things up that caught my eye.

He ignored what I said.

I stopped in front of a velvet display with a white diamond necklace that looked like royalty, the matching earrings, and a ring set beside it.

I leaned closer without thinking.

Ares noticed immediately.

“That one?”

I straightened up. “I said I don’t need anything. I'm just looking.”

He moved closer behind me.

“You need jewelry.”

“For what?”

“So you look like you belong next to me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I already do.”