Powerful (The Powerless Trilogy, #1.5)

by Lauren Roberts

He all but rolls his eyes at the sight of my spreading smile. “Sorry, could you say that one more time?” I ask sweetly with a hand cupped around my ear. There’s that mock sympathy seeping onto his features once again. “Not a chance. You’re all out of questions, hun.” Taking a deep breath, he begins pacing absentmindedly. “You’re a seamstress, yes?” “How do you know I’m—” My words stop the moment my heart seems to do the same. I blink at him, his features suddenly shifting into something undeniably familiar. My gasp has him startling in surprise, pressing a hand over his heart. “You! I know you!” His eyes dart away from mine, guilty in the way they pointedly avoid my gaze. “I thought you looked familiar,” I blurt before poking an accusing finger into his chest. “You’re the one who shouted at me on the street!” He shrugs nervously, scratching a hand against the back of his shaggy hair. “I would prefer to call it constructive criticism, but I can see how—” “Well, you criticized my favorite blouse.” “And I stand by what I said. It should have been—” “Red,” I finish through my teeth. “Yeah, I remember.” He looks as though he might actually laugh. “Well, have you sold it yet?” I’m unable to look at him as I grumble, “No, the customer agreed with you.” He shuts his eyes, fighting some internal battle that has him blowing out a breath. “How incredibly unfortunate for you that they had good taste.”