49

“I can assure you,” the merchant began slowly, “that my daughter put everything into making these bracelets. How can you put such a low price on her hard work?”

Lance smirked, amusement twinkling in his eye. “Oh, really? Then why was Charline selling them to her friends for fifteen dollars each? Wouldn’t she know the value of her own work?”

“Charline—what?” The mention of his daughter’s name seemed to throw the merchant off. But he recovered quickly. “Well, regardless, what passes between friends is different from what happens in real commerce. I’m sure Alpha Hunter and I can settle for paying forty dollars for the bracelets.”

“Mmm.” Lance pretended to consider the offer. “No. I still think thirty is more than enough for two.”

“Thirty-five.”

“Nope. Thirty, or we walk.”

I didn’t remember agreeing to walk away from the sale. I really wanted those bracelets, but honestly, this negotiation was a little entertaining. What would the merchant do next?

He gritted his teeth, his face reddening