BuzzNovel“Lessie.” Cole's gaze found Alessia immediately, and without a second thought, he took her backpack from her
shoulder.
“What brings you here so early? | thought you had the morning off. Isn't there a Whitley Group executive
meeting on Mondays? Don’t you have to lead it?”
Just as Cole knew Alessia’s class schedule by heart, Alessia kept track of Cole's calendar with equal precision.
“Lessie, we're heading out,” EGodfrey called, flashing Alessia a knowing, teasing grin, her friends clustered
behind her.
Alessia was used to their banter. The three of them were single, and their teasing cwith the territory-she
understood.
“Alright, can you bring my books to class later this afternoon?”
“No problem,” Mia Linden replied, waving her off. “Just buy us coffee next time.” The tleft with the easy
confidence of people who had nothing to worry about.
Once they were gone, Alessia turned her attention back to Cole.
“This is for you.” Cole freed one hand and fished a bracelet from his pocket. He gently took Alessia’s wrist and
slipped it onto her.
The dark wooden beads contrasted beautifully with her pale, delicate skin.
Alessia lifted her hand and studied the bracelet, obviously pleased, though she didn’t quite understand why Cole
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthad given her this out of the blue.
“Did you go out of your way to get this for me?” Alessia asked. She'd heard from Stella about a chapel outside
the city, a’place people visited to pray for luck and protection. She and Justin had considered going there during
the holidays to pick up a few bracelets for their families.
Cole nodded, then pressed a reverent kiss to the back of Alessia’s hand, the one now adorned with the bracelet.
“What made you go all the way out there? It’s not exactly nearby... Did you get any sleep last night?” Alessia
cupped his face, concern flickering in her eyes as she noticed the faint shadows beneath them.
“I got a few hours of sleep in the car. No driving while exhausted, | promise,” Cole said honestly.
08:02
There’s been a lot going on lately. | thought you could use a little extra protection-keep misfortune at bay, keep
you safe.” Cole was never one for
superstition or faith, but after what had happened with his parents, he'd started to look at these things
differently.
Maybe, he thought, if he believed hard enough, someone up there would listen and look out for the people he
loved.
“We should go together next time.”
“Sure, but why? What for?” Cole always agreed to Alessia’s suggestions first, even when he didn’t quite get
them.
“I want to get one for you, too.” Alessia held up her arm and gave the bracelet a little shake.
It wasn’t expensive-cheaper than any piece of jewelry she owned-but that didn’t lessen her fondness for it.
“This weekend, The Thorne Group and The Winston Group are throwing an engagement party. Are you going?”
With Whitley Group and Thorne Group doing business together, invitations were a given.
“Fortune Thorne and Sienna Winston?”
Alessia wasn’t surprised the two families were joining forces. After the engagement with the Tates fell through, it
was only a matter of tbefore the Thornes, or
maybe the Lanes or another family, stepped in. Arranged marriages like this were par for the course in their
world.
“That's right. How about | pick you up after my last class on Friday?”
Alessia nodded.
“If you're skipping the morning meeting, you should get srest.” Concern softened Alessia’s voice.
“No rush. Let's get you something to eat first.” Cole ruffled her hair, his affection plain in his eyes.
Friday cquickly. After class, Cole
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08:02
genuinely surprised. Stella usually
avoided these formal atheripgg ike
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