Page 34 of Whispers of Wisteria

The older woman pulled back a fraction, surprise flicking across her face before it was masked with cautious indifference. “Yes.”

Of course.

“Does Damen know she’s still wandering around?” I asked.

He hadn’t been happy the last time.

“Mr. Abernathy…” Ms. Protean said slowly, choosing her words carefully. “Sometimes chooses to ignore things happening in front of him. But this is good; it shows you’ve been paying attention. Does this mean you’re accepting the position?”

I clenched my fists in my lap. I wanted to, but should I? Uncle Gregory would be displeased.

Actually, that was kind of a pro.

“There’s no pay, of course.” She sounded apologetic. “Not until you’re a senior, but this experience can count toward credits and—”

“Yes!” I said. “I’ll do it!”

“Yes, what?” A weary voice cut into our conversation.

I turned in my seat, pressing myself against the back of the chair as Bryce, who stood in the doorway, studied me. “What have you been up to that has got Uncle Gregory in a mood?”

He’d actually called him!

Ms. Protean scoffed. “Whenisn’the in a mood?”

“He didn’t even tell you?” I gasped. How lazy. “He’s angry because I don’t want to study withhim.”

“Oh.” Bryce deflated a bit—like he was expecting something more profound. “Why?”

“Does it matter why?” I asked. “I want to study with Ms. Protean.”

“Gloria,” Ms. Protean interrupted. “I’d rather you call me ‘Gloria’ if you’re going to work with me,” she clarified.

Bryce glanced between us, and I could see his hesitance. The lines under his eyes were drawn and haggard, and I almost forgot what we were even talking about.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spoken to him alone.

Why did he look so tired?

“I don’t know.” He sounded so defeated. “I don’t understand why it’s an issue, but he’sreallyagainst it.”

“He’s…what?” Ms. Protean stared, open-mouthed, at Bryce. “Why in the world—”

“Please don’t ask me.” Bryce began to rub his temples. “I don’t have time for this. He won’t say why. Maybe he’s afraid Bianca will get hurt?”

“That is…” Ms. Protean—Gloria—pursed her lips and glowered. “Insulting. You can tellhimthat—”

“I’m not going to tell anyone anything.” Bryce opened his eyes and pointed at Gloria’s phone. “If you have a problem, you two can talk to each other. Otherwise, I don’t want to hear about it. I’m tired of this drama.”

All my protests and arguments faded at the furious glint in his eyes, and I ducked down a few inches behind the seat. Thankfully, his attention wasn’t even on me but on the wolf behind me.

Brayden was grouchy today, and now Bryce too?

I’d never seen either of them like this before.

Maybe…

Was there another reason Uncle Gregory was upset today? Maybe it had nothing to do with Gloria. It seemed like something larger was going on that I didn’t know about.