Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(35)

“That’s not good.” Bryn pushed her plate away. “I wonder if we could organize a group trip to Dragon’s Bluff to increase sales.”

Ivy leaned forward in her seat. “It might be time for you to play the Grandma card.”

Would her grandmother help organize a shopping trip? “I don’t know if my grandfather would approve.”

Clint pointed across the room. “Maybe you could have Rhianna organize something. She could set it up with Jaxon’s mom like you did with the Back to School Gala.”

“Good idea.” Bryn stood. “Come on, Valmont, let’s go visit Rhianna and her eternally crabby boyfriend.”

“As your knight, I’m supposed to guide you away from evil, and yet here you are, asking me to lead you straight toward it.”

Bryn laughed and grabbed his hand. “Come on. It will only take a minute. And if he’s really obnoxious, you can run him through with your sword.”

“Define ‘really obnoxious,’” Valmont said. “Because I’m not sure I’d recognize it given his normal behavior.”

Joking with Valmont eased the odd weight of guilt she was carrying around on her shoulders.

Jaxon glared at their approach, while Rhianna gave a small wave. They stopped at the table, and all conversation ceased.

“I do love the warm reception I receive in your presence,” Valmont addressed Jaxon. “You always make me feel so welcome.”

“I’m sure that’s due to the fact that your social skills are on par with Bryn’s. What do you want?”

“I know this will disappoint you, but I wanted to speak to Rhianna,” Bryn said, “not you.”

“Why don’t you come by her room, this evening,” Jaxon said. “Alone.”

Bryn pointed at Rhianna. “Did you lose the power of speech, or is Jaxon being a Westgate?”

Rhianna looked like she was trying not to laugh. “My voice is fine. What did you want to talk about?”

“Valmont mentioned that the shopkeepers revenue in Dragon’s Bluff has dropped off since we aren’t allowed to visit anymore. I was wondering if you thought there might be a way to organize a sanctioned trip so a large group of students could visit together. Safety in numbers, and all that.”

“That’s an interesting proposition,” Rhianna said.

“It’s an idiotic idea,” Jaxon said. “Whoever went would be setting themselves up as targets.”

“Maybe the merchants could come here to the Institute instead,” Rhianna said.

“I like that idea.” Valmont’s single dimple appeared.

“No,” Jaxon said. “That wouldn’t be allowed.”

“I don’t believe I was asking your permission,” Valmont said. “In the future, you might have the power to decide who is allowed to do what, but you don’t have that power now.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. “Fonzoli’s just reopened. It would be a shame if a health code violation was filed, and the restaurant had to be shut down.”

Valmont leaned toward Jaxon. “Given your pregnant mother’s fondness for our food and the fact that she cries at the drop of a hat, you’d be hurting her more than anyone else.”

Rhianna gave a theatrical sigh. “Can’t we all agree to be civil?”

Both males continued the stare-off.

“Bryn, why don’t you call your grandmother, and let me know what she says,” Rhianna suggested.

“Sounds good.” Bryn tugged on Valmont’s arm. “Come on. Clint and Ivy are waiting for us.”

As they walked away, Valmont whispered to Bryn, “One of these days I’m going to wipe that smug expression off his face.”

“No. You’re not. Because my grandparents would have a fit, and I’d have to deal with the fallout.”

“Fine. Can I accidentally elbow him in the face?”

Bryn laughed. “As long as you make it look like an accident.”

…

“I think a campus fair is a wonderful idea,” Bryn’s grandmother’s voice came through the phone loud and clear and far too early on a Saturday morning.

“Really? Because Jaxon pitched a fit.”

“He’s male. He doesn’t understand. I’ll set up a meeting with some of the merchants, and I’ll call you back when we have a plan.”

Bryn hung up the phone and dialed Rhianna.

“Hello?” Rhianna sounded groggy. Crap. She should have waited to call. It was eight in the morning on a Saturday.

“Sorry. Want me to call back later?”

“No,” Rhianna said. “Hold on.”

Through the phone, she could hear someone griping. The voice sounded suspiciously like Jaxon. Bryn shivered. This was information she did not need to know.

“All right,” Rhianna said. “I’m back. What did your grandmother say?”

Bryn repeated what her grandmother said. “It looks like it might actually happen.”

“I didn’t have a chance to call Lillith last night.”

“Because you had company?” Bryn teased.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Rhianna said in a perfect upper-class Blue tone.

“Right.” Bryn yawned. “I’ll let you know when I hear anything else.”