Page 36 of Shadows of Nightshade
I had no choice. I was going to have to apologize to Titus. This was my fault, after all.
“Sorry about your face and balls,” I blurted out—feeling so ashamed I’d have to speak such words in my lifetime. “I hope they’re okay now.”
Miles choked, and Damen’s hand jerked so sharply that asplash of wine stained the white tablecloth. But it was Titus who had the most extreme reaction. Instead of graciously accepting my apology, he stared at me as if I’d said the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard in his life. Which was quite offensive, actually, because I was only trying to make things right.
I shifted my focus to the stained tablecloth—I had screwed this up too much. How could I work with someone who hated me? “I guess you’re still mad…”
Titus burst into laughter, followed quickly by Damen and Miles. I frowned at my place setting. This was terrible. I was awful at making amends, and this was proof.
After a moment, the laughter finally died down, and Titus wiped his eyes with the napkin. “I’m not angry,” he said. “Why would I be angry?”
“But…” I blinked at him, unsure. “You wouldn’t talk to me when you sat down.”
“You’re afraid of me.” He rested his arm on the table and held my gaze. “I wanted to make you feel comfortable.”
It didn’t work. I was still scared of him. But if the others thought he was fine, then he must be. However, his explanation made no sense. “How does ignoring someone make them feel comfortable? That only makes you seem angrier.”
Titus’s brows lowered. “I was trying to be cool.”
“Well, you failed.” Damen touched his head. “Now thatthatis cleared up, did you bring it?”
Titus reached into his jacket and revealed a pink phone. “Of course! It’s the latest release. I installed some apps and wallpapers to get started.”
“Why would you do that?” Miles lowered his water. “What if she doesn’t like what you picked out?”
I eyed the device. “Don’t tell me that’s for me.”
Titus slid the phone across the table to me. “I have a sixth sense about these things.”
“Are you sure it has nothing to do withyou?” Miles responded.
I had no idea what Miles meant, but Titus’s confidence was rather assuming. Yet, who was I to argue? I was getting a pretty phone—and pink was my second favorite color.
I picked it up—it was already on—and gasped as the home page pulled up. Titus had discovered my weakness.
I grinned at the cartoon kitten wallpaper. “Kutsushita Nyanko!” I sounded pathetically happy. And as he said, he’d also installed some games and other cute things. Finn had never allowed me to put personal stuff on my phone. “Thank you so much, Titus. I love it.”
There was no response, and I glanced up to see the three of them watching me. But I was too excited to care as I opened my contacts. Titus had already pre-loaded all of their information—including Julian’s.
And he’d assigned each of them a character photo.
“Why is Damen ‘Beer-chan’?” I asked. It seemed like an odd choice to be represented by a drunk bear. But then again, he’d hit the alcohol early today.
“You ass!” Damen glowered at Titus, offended. His cheeks dusted as he pushed away his wine glass. “I don’t even drink that much.”
Titus didn’t seem to hear Damen. Instead, he stared at me. It was different now, as if he were seeing me for the first time. It was extremely disquieting.
“You knowSan-x?” he asked, his voice filled with wonder. “What aboutSanrio?”
Oh no, I’d made an idiot of myself again. I put the phone backon the table and hid my face behind my turtleneck once more. Could I just disappear before dying of embarrassment?
“Don’t hide.” Miles pulled at my hands and returned the neck back to its rightful place. His fingers brushed against my wrist, and the contact made my skin heat. “It’s perfect that you do,” he continued. “It’ll give Titus a better reason to buy stuff, and he can stop getting weird looks at the store. Spoiling you is the perfect excuse.”
11
My new friendsdropped me off at Professor Hamway’s after lunch, and I worked hard to finish my chores in the conservatory before Julian was set to arrive. Damen told me to prepare for our slumber party, while Miles added, sighing, that they planned to stay over to witness any paranormal activity after it got dark. However, they had a few things to take care of first.
Knowing that help was on the way made the knot in my stomach dissipate. But, Julian…
