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?”