but you can never have enough banana bread. Wait a second. There’s something different about you today.” After we sat down, she parked her chin in her hand, looking at me intently. She was in detective mode again. And while I didn’t doubt she would guess eventually, I felt like opening up.
“Woke up to a few missed calls and messages from Laney,” I said.
“Oooh. What does she say?”
I swallowed a mouthful, buying time. “I didn’t look.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Too afraid?”
The best thing about Tess was that she had this uncanny feeling that told her when to tease someone or offer genuine sympathy. All I could do was nod. I wasn’t ashamed to admit it. This was not a business deal that I could judge based on numbers and facts and leave emotions at the door.
“Want me to read them for you?” she offered.
For a few seconds, I actually entertained the option, before deciding it was a terrible idea. If it was bad news, I sure as hell didn’t want to see it on my sister’s face first.
“No, I’ll man up and deal with it.”
“Have some coffee first. Nothing worse than trying to make sense of a situation while half your neurons are still asleep.”
After drinking two cups of coffee, I finally looked at the messages.
Laney: Call me when you see my missed call.
Laney: Just tried to call you again
Laney: Pleaaaaase call.
Laney: If you’re ignoring it on purpose I will do BAD THINGS.
I chuckled, knowing Laney only used caps lock in extreme circumstances.
Cole: Just now saw this. When is your shift over?
“That’s a smile right there,” Tess said, finger pointed at me. “I take it as a good sign.”
“She wants to talk to me.”
“Another good sign,” she said excitedly. Was it? I wasn’t so sure. Some fears I didn’t want to voice. I had no doubt my sister could sense my unease in that scary way she always seemed to guess things. I pinned her with my gaze. Even though last night was a bit of a blur, one particular moment stood out.
“Tess..., about what you said last night..., is there anyone’s ass in particular that I have to kick?” I kept my voice firm so she knew I wasn’t joking.
Laughing, she put her hand over mine on the table. “You don’t get out of brother mode even when you have so much on your plate, huh?”
“One thing doesn’t have to do anything with the other,” I assured her.
“Don’t worry, if you need to kick ass, I’ll let you know. I always did.”
“Yeah, except the last time was when I was in high school.”
Tess beamed. “As I recall, I didn’t ask that time either. You just decided to take matters into your own hands.”
“Seemed like the right thing to do.”
Tess chuckled. “Well, I see the caffeine kicked in. Your memory is sharp; your instincts too, especially the protective ones.”
I nodded. I was ready to face the day.
We both left afterward, sharing an Uber into Manhattan. Since Laney still hadn’t answered, I dropped Tess in Soho first. I couldn’t postpone going to my apartment. I needed to change. I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, and it was obvious I’d slept in them. I needed a shower and to brush my teeth.
Once I’d freshened up and changed into a new shirt and suit, I felt massively more optimistic. When I checked my phone, I discovered she’d texted me.
Laney: My shift ends at two. I can come to your apartment after that? Or do you have a meeting?
Cole: I’ll see you after your shift ends.
The last thing I had on my mind was meetings. I couldn’t focus even if I wanted to.
I called Hunter next.
“Hi!”
“I won’t make it to the office today,” I told him.
“Figured as much. Tell me it’s not because your pity party is still on.”
“No. Changed and showered.”
“Good. I was going to apply some tough love otherwise.”
“I thought you were mellow last night.”
“You don’t hit a man when he’s down. You needed time to regroup, get things out of your system.”
“And twelve hours are enough?”
“There’s nothing a good night’s sleep can’t solve.”
“Can you take over any meetings I have? I’m seeing Laney at two, and I’m just not in the right headspace to be at the office. I’ll ask my assistant to reschedule everything she can and tell you if anything is urgent.”
I prided myself on memorizing my schedule, but I drew up blank. I had Laney on my mind today.