Page 27 of Ashes and Lilies
“Bryce!” I recoiled and stared at Julian. How could they? This was a horrible morning surprise.
“Think of it as practice,” Titus told me. “For when you get to have him do your bidding.”
“Oh.” I blinked, and my annoyance vanished instantly. Why, yes, he did have a point.
Julian reached across the table and smacked the other man’s arm. “Don’t tell her that.” He glared at him. “That is not at all what she’s supposed to do!”
It sounded like a good idea to me.
So, Titus, too, like Damen and I, liked to torment Bryce?
I could hear the conversation continuing around me, but my thoughts had moved on. I shook my head, focusing on the present as the two men continued.
“Anyway,” Julian said, speaking to Titus. “Unless something happens, I’ll be back late tonight.”
“It’s fine,” Titus answered. “Maria scheduled me to meet with Alexander about our contract, but I’ll cancel.”
Julian crossed his arms and frowned at the table. “You probably shouldn’t do that. I’m sure Damen can handle himself responsibly for a time.”
I thought they all worked in separate professions. Did they still help each other with everyday tasks?
“What about you, Bianca?” Julian looked at me. “Do youneed anything from your dorm today? Or are you good with clothes and toiletries?”
“I guess,” I replied. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to take over Damen’s bedroom, but I could make do. “I forgot my hairbrush,” I admitted, pulling a section of my hair over my shoulder. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too knotted. “I’ll just braid it before I go to class and stop by my room to fix it later.”
“I’ll do your hair before we leave,” Titus said.
I was in the process of finger-brushing through a tangle and looked at him.
Titus glanced away, skin flushing, as he shrugged. “My mother taught me how to braid—her hair was past her knees. I don’t mind.”
I was momentarily speechless. Titus was the least expected person in our group to have this skill. But, again, it would be helpful—my hair was well on its way to that length. “Okay,” I replied. My face grew warm as I looked down at the table. “Thank you.”
Julian glanced at his black leather watch and uncrossed his leg. “I need to head out,” he told us. He pressed the tips of his pointer and middle finger to his mouth before he touched my forehead. “I’ll see you later. Have a good day.”
“Oh, okay,” I said again, touching my head as I watched him leave the table.
On his way out, he turned to Titus, and—if I wasn’t mistaken—his expression was one of hopeful encouragement. “Good luck,” he told him.
Good luck?
I glanced back to Titus, who only waved Julian away. What did Titus need luck for?
It took longerto do my hair than I’d expected, although the results were much better than anything I could have accomplished on my own. Titus had styled my hair in a crown braid with loose tendrils that framed my face, the result of which made me feel like a fairytale princess. However, by the time he pulled his tan Range Rover into the library parking lot, I only had fifteen minutes until my classes began.
“Thank you for dropping me off,” I told him and pulled my backpack over my shoulders. “Sorry I made you late for work.”
Maria would be extremely displeased.
“Actually,” he began. Then, he stopped as he lowered his sunglasses and turned down the instrumental piece he’d been listening to on the radio. “When you own the company, you’ll find you can create your own hours,” Titus replied.
His mouth was saying one thing, but somehow, I didn’t believe him.
I could tell there was something bothering him. He’d been bouncing his knee ever since we parked, and he tapped his finger on the wheel as he spoke.
My worry for him succeeded in distracting me from my thoughts. “What’s wrong?”
My question seemed to be the catalyst. He unbuckled his belt and reached toward me. However, instead of opening my door, which I thought was his intention, he gripped my hands.
