Page 1 of Whispers of Wisteria

1

Miles

I need a break. Wanna go grab a bite to eat?

Me

Stop goofing off and finish your work.

“Who are you talking to?”Damen asked, trying to peer over my shoulder. His voice was casual, but there was an edge that hadn’t been there before. “Is something wrong?”

I pressed the screen against my chest, shot him my sternest look, and walked past him. “You shouldn’t read other people’s messages,” I told him. You’d have thought he’d learned by now. “Come on, you’re going to be late for Dr. Stephens.”

“I’m not,” Damen said, although I wasn’t sure which of my statements he was addressing. He didn’t follow immediately, lingering in place. “You looked concerned just now. Then you smiled.”

I stopped and studied his expression. Damen had been acting strange lately, and I couldn’t figure out why. The silent and brooding lurking, the foolish looks. Theneediness.

“Damen, what’s wrong with you? Are you…” It was embarrassing to ask, but I couldn’t ignore it. I’d seen men like this before, but it couldn’t be…

Not about me.

“You’re not jealous, are you?”

“What?” Damen stilled, and his gaze lingered a bit too long before he finally said, “That’s ridiculous.”

So he said, but his expression was still off.

“I don’t care if you talk to Miles,” he drawled, almost daringly, as his fingers twitched at his side.

So he did know who I was talking to?

Then this was just stupid.

“Good.” I had no time for this nonsense.

Miles had already replied.

Miles

But I love you.

Me

Not enough to finish your work, apparently.

I hit send and told Damen, “Because that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Damen’s mouth dropped open, but I ignored him.

Now, what was Miles doing? For someone who liked to go on about how busy he was, there was no way he’d been gone long enough to put a dent in his studies.

Which meant he was procrastinating again.

Still… I could give him some incentive. He seemed the type to thrive on rewards.

Me

We’ll go out to dinner when you’re finished.