Page 58 of Ghost

“What?” I wasn’t sure what to make of this, I never expected Julian to tease me.

He glanced back at his phone. “The color for the Wood element is green.”

“I’m going to take a bath.” I changed the subject, stripping and ducking into the foamy water. I wasn’t even going to dignify that statement with a response.

Leaning back into the tub, I closed my eyes. Trying to force myself to relax. The scents helped. Julian—despite my previous anxiety—remained a comforting presence on the other side of the room. I didn’t have to worry about being alone and attacked, at least.

Julian seemed content to let me be with my thoughts, which I appreciated. Somehow, he seemed to know exactly what I needed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Titus

Instinct

I heard Miles long before he actually arrived. So I had time to prepare for his teasing.

Sure enough, he opened his mouth the second he stepped onto the patio. “Hello there, are you having a problem?”

“Please don’t encourage her,” I told him, knowing he would understand to what I was referring. I had heard the entire conversation, of course, and Miles had done nothing to dissuade the topic.

Bianca’s offer tohelpwas something that still rang through my mind. “She really doesn’t know what she’s doing,” I muttered, feeling confident that was the truth.

Miles swallowed before joining me at the railing. “Of course you heard.” His words were almost teasing, but there was an underlying hint of worry there.

Miles began to drum his fingers against the wood, and after a moment pressed onward. “I hate to be the one to bring this up, but we need to talk about this. All four of us, but especially you.”

“Whyespeciallyme?” I asked, even though I knew what he’d say. I hated when people assumed the worst.

Miles’ jaw clenched. “Because you’re already attached.”

“So what?” I didn’t like where this conversation was headed. “That’s what friends do, they get attached. Form relationships.”

“Don’t act thick. You didn’t stop her on the side of the road because you were interested in being her friend.” Damen joined us, taking a position on my other side.

Miles nodded his head toward the other man. “Andyoudidn’t offer to be her friend because you wanted to be her friend.”

Damen rolled his eyes in response.

I wasn’t sure what Damen was insinuating. “I stopped her because she seemed to be lost, and I wanted to help. It was dangerous for her to be alone.”

“Are you certain about that? It’s surprising; you aren’t a flirt.” Damen shot me a knowing look. “From your own account, you called her ‘angel face’.”

I still didn’t understand his point. “Yes. Her face has features that a heavenly being might possess. It’s a factual statement.”

“Damen,” Miles pinched his nose, “why are you even trying?”

“I don’t know,” Damen groaned. “And now there’s two of them.”

Were they making fun of me? “Two of what?”

“Oh, Titus.” Miles pat my shoulder, sympathy in his gaze. “So sweet. So innocent.”

Hewasmaking fun of me. I growled at him. “I’m not innocent, you jerkface. I’ve done things that would cause your nightmares to have nightmares. Try that again, and I’ll smash you into the ground like the pebble that you are. I knowthings. Why do you think I came outside? It’s torture.”

“Right.That.” Damen rubbed his neck. “We need to talk about this—”

“Pebbles are made to withstand trampling. You should know that,” Miles interrupted Damen, his face the picture of confusion. “Where did you even come up with that? It’s a terrible insult.”