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“As soon as Brooke has a chance to look at it all,” Deacon said.
Aubrey’s irritation and disbelief turned genuine, all traces of humor vanishing, but her half-smirk returned so fast I must have imagined otherwise. “Is she going to encase one of them in lead? Because I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Brooke’s expertise is not vintage clothing.”
“She bet me I had a basement, and I was sure she was wrong. As you can see…” Deacon swept an arm around the room. “She gets to pick from what we find.”
“I suppose that’s fair. As soon as you’re ready, I’ll help you price the clothing out and put it on display.” Aubrey glided her hand over a skirt, never making contact.
Footsteps echoed on the stairs, like work boots on wood, and Brooke’shelloreached us.
“I need to get back to work.” Aubrey stepped away. “Let me know on the stuff.”
“I thought it wasn’tstuff,” Deacon called as she strolled away.
She flipped him off over her shoulder.
Yup. Total siblings.
Brooke turned to watch her leave, then joined us. “Was it something I said?”
The question struck me as odd for reasons I couldn’t quite place. “She had things to do.”
“I was worried you might not be back after everything we found yesterday.” Deacon’s tone was light and playful, but I heard the seriousness underneath. Did he have any idea how bad he had it for her?
And how did she not?
“I would’ve been here sooner, to see what else you found, but Mom life called,” Brooke said. “Impressive haul. Laura Croft would be envious.”
That was what I was talking about.
“Oh,wow.” Brooke wandered past us and stopped in front of one of the wardrobes. The way she tilted her head, rather than opening the doors, she probably wasn’t looking to see if it went to Narnia.
Sexy, explicit Narnia.Fillory.
“Those are amazing.” She pointed to the decoration on the top.
I shone a light up to get a better look. It was an intricately detailed arch. “It’s people fucking.”
Pink colored Brooke’s cheeks. “But the design work is incredible.”
“I won’t argue that,” Deacon said. “Do you want to look around at everything before you pick your prize, or have you already seen what you want?” His tone slid down half an octave.
Brooke glanced at us, bottom lip caught between her teeth, then turned away. “I’m not taking anything.”
“But you won. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to admit I was wrong?” Deacon asked.
She shook her head. “We went looking because we’re trying to save your business. I can’t take away from what may be the solution. No arguments.”
“Did you just use yourMom voiceon us?” I laughed.
Brooke pursed her lips. “Never.” She almost sounded offended. “But I will help Deacon restore anything like that”—she nodded at the arch—“that you find down here.”
“Do you want any more explanations of positions or furniture use to go with your work?” Deacon asked.
“It might be helpful. I need to make sure my restorations do the originals justice.”
Frustration surged in from nowhere. I wasn’t in the mood to watch the verbal version of blue balls tonight. Which was weird—it never bothered me before. Maybe if I fucked off to do my own thing, these two would get their fuck on already.
After all, there was a sex dungeon in Deacon’s basement, so weirder things had happened.
