Page 37 of Tangled

“No, no, no,”Anjali said, her head dancing side to side and her eyes closed as if she could not bear to look upon how stupid he was. “Colleen is a very modest and quiet girl. She would not say something like that. But I think she looks kindly upon you. You should consider proposing marriage.”

“What?”

“You have asked her to travel with you. That is not good for a girl’s reputation. A girl should have the reputation of liking to stay home. You are not doing good things for her, so you should take some responsibility.”

“Do you have a reputation for liking to stay home?” he asked her.

Her prim blink spoke volumes. “I am getting a degree in computer engineering. My parents would never have a problem finding a husband for me.”

Tristan tried to wrap his head around their conversation and failed. “I think I need to carry this monitor upstairs.”

Anjali followed him up the stairs, providing color commentary about the sidewalk made uneven by underlying tree roots and the ragged edges of steps that he must be careful not to trip over, all while her high-heeled sandals clicked on the cement, and they reached Colleen’s apartment with no incident.

Inside, Tristan placed the monitor on the upper level of Colleen’s computer desk and began connecting the cords to the computer tower.

The two women sat on the mattress, chatting while Tristan did the grunt work.

Colleen said to Anjali, “Hey, so the guy you liked at the airport, Jian Laio, Tristan’s assistant-type person, how’s it going with the texting?”

“Yes, and I thank you very much for introducing us. We have been talking to each other over text, and that is all.”

“Just texting? I mean, he’s been here in Phoenix since last night. I though you two might meet for a late-night snack or something. I thought he seemed pretty nice. He’s got a dry sense of humor, which takes a little bit of getting used to, but I think he’s funny. Did you guys not hit it off after all?”

“I think I would like him very much, but we are only talking by texting,and that is all.”

Colleen asked, her voice gravelly with the faintest bit of sarcasm, “Is it, though? Is thatallyou’re doing?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Colleen told Anjali, “You’re wearing club clothes, what with the sequined miniskirt and the sky-high boink-me strappy sandals, and it’sWednesday morning.”

“I do not see what you are getting at.”

Tristan stole a look from under his arm, watching Colleen gently skewer her friend.

Colleen stated, “You would never wear clothes like this to class, Anjali, and your eyeliner is running down your face.”

“It is not. I have washed it off.”

“Not very well.” She swirled her finger in the air, indicating everything about Anjali. “This is a walk of shame.”

“It isnot.”

“I’m just surprised you didn’t change clothes when you went home to get my monitor this morning before you came here.”

Oh, this was getting juicy. Tristan sat in the computer chair and angled it sideways so he could watch the drama out of the corner of his eye.

Anjali said, “I put your monitor in my car trunk last night after we texted while you were on the plane. I thought you might want it last night.”

“So you haven’t been home yet this morning?”

“That is none of your business, Colleen.”

“Anjali, did you spend the night with Jian Laio?”

Anjali scowled at Colleen and didn’t say a word.

Sothatwas why Jian had jumped at the chance to check into Tristan’s presidential suite at The Boulders for the night. Tristan bit his lip so he wouldn’t crack up.