Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(9)

“They’ll be good as new by the time we’re done with them. Better, actually.” Her grandmother marked the swatches they’d chosen and opened a shopping bag sitting next to her chair. “Now, let’s pick out the accessories for your rooms.”

Odd as it seemed, looking through pages of shower curtains and wall hangings was fun.

Rhianna shoved a catalog under Bryn’s nose. “Look at this.”

The bathroom was done up in charcoal gray and silver, but there were flowers on the shower curtain. Damn it all if she didn’t like it. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I like the flowers.”

After another half hour of playing pick-a-pattern, Bryn’s stomach protested the lack of food by making a loud gurgling sound.

“Sorry about that. I need food.”

“First let me speak with the staff, and then we’ll figure out where to eat.”

Did the workers mind being called staff? It seemed weird. Whatever.

Her grandmother returned a moment later. “Why don’t we eat in the cafe downstairs?”

Rhianna froze. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Our dorm mates aren’t….” What was the word Bryn was looking for…”overly friendly.”

Her grandmother slammed a book shut. “That is ridiculous.” She stood. “Follow me, and pay attention.”

They took the stairs down to the dining hall. Every time they encountered another Blue, her grandmother stopped to ask questions.

“How is your grandmother?” she asked a girl Bryn didn’t know.

“She’s fine, Mrs. Sinclair. Thank you for asking.”

“Do tell her I’d like to meet for coffee soon.”

The girl brightened. “She’d love to meet for coffee. I’ll have her call you.”

It took them three times as long as it should have to make it down the stairs to the small cafe in back. Once they were seated and the waiter had delivered menus and iced tea, Bryn pointed back the way they came. “What was all that about?”

“That,” her grandmother said with an arched brow, “was networking. Something you must learn how to do. Whenever those women call to make plans, I’ll insist they bring their granddaughters along so you and Rhianna can network, too.”

“Isn’t that social blackmail?” Bryn asked.

“It’s a game, Bryn. One you need to learn how to play.”



After dinner, they returned to their dorm room. There wasn’t a sign in the living room that a major project was taking place in the bedrooms. Rhianna stepped foot into her bedroom and smiled. “Oh, it’s lovely.”

What could the workmen have done in the amount of time they’d been gone? Bryn peered around the doorframe. “Wow.” A soft silver glow covered the walls, like they were lit from within. “How did they do this while we ate dinner?”

“All you need is the right amount of workers, and you can complete any job in a short span of time,” her grandmother said. “The bedding and the bathroom accessories will be delivered tomorrow.”

In her own bedroom, Bryn found a surprise; her walls were also covered by the silver gray silk. “I love this wallpaper. It’s so—”

“Happy?” Rhianna said.

“Yes.” Bryn hugged her grandmother. “Thank you. This place feels more like mine now.”

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll come back tomorrow night and we’ll finish up.”

…

“Dang.” Ivy spun in a circle taking in Bryn’s newly redecorated room. “This is unbelievable.”

Clint stood in the doorway frowning. “I can’t believe they have separate bedrooms.”

“Sorry,” Bryn said. “If you want to bleach your hair and get a tan, I’ll try to sneak you in.”

“No thanks.” Clint’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. Is that a bathroom over there?”

“I’m going to start on my tan tomorrow,” Ivy said. “I can’t believe you have your own bathroom.”

This was awkward. What could she say? Sorry, the Blues have all the money so they built themselves better dorms. “You could lodge a complaint with someone. Maybe they’d build you your own bathroom.”

“Excuse me,” Rhianna said from behind Clint. He stepped aside to let her come in. “Fair warning, Jaxon is coming over.”

Bryn nodded at her friends. “Do you guys want to stay here and study in the living room or head back to your place?”

“Let’s stay here,” Clint said. “If for no other reason than to annoy Jaxon.”

“We’ll study at the table and you guys can have the couch, if that’s all right,” Rhianna said.

“One question,” Ivy said. “Does your swanky cafe downstairs deliver pizza?”

Rhianna shook her head. “No.”

Clint grinned. “Bryn, I will do your homework for a week if you call Jaxon and ask him to pick up a pizza on his way over.”

“He won’t do it if I ask.” Bryn batted her eyes at Rhianna. “Can you ask your foul-tempered boyfriend to pick up pizzas for us?”

Rhianna struck a snotty posture. “Westgates order food. They don’t deliver it.”