“What did you do, interview everyone?” I joked.
“Believe it or not, I didn’t actually ask anyone about you. They just up and told me.”
I actually did believe it.
“So, let’s take it step by step so we can get to the bottom of this,” she said.
I laughed, dropping the pen, putting my own hands on the table too, mimicking my sister’s pose.
“I’m listening.”
Tess nodded, holding up a finger. “First, how long have you been like this?”
“Like you don’t know already. I’m sure your spies told you everything.”
Tess grinned. “They did... but I want to hear it from you.”
“The whole week,” I admitted. “I’ve been in a shitty mood for a week.”
Tess beamed, as if that was somehow something to be proud of.
“Yeah, you weren’t really yourself on Sunday when we saw you. So it started after you came back? Or were you grumpy in Rome too?”
“It started after I came back.”
“Is there something about the deal that is bothering you?”
“No.”
“Do you think you could have done something better?”
I shook my head, opening my mouth to tell her that this wasn’t going anywhere, but Tess held up a hand, probably guessing from my expression that I was losing my patience.
“Bear with me. We’re eliminating causes.”
“Oh, okay. I’m glad to know there is a method to this madness and you’re not just torturing me.”
Tess gasped, clutching at her chest. “I never do things just to torture you. I always want to help. Now, if some things feel like torture... growing pains, you know?”
I had no clue what she meant, but experience had taught me that listening to my sister was a good idea, even if sometimes her method was dubious.
“Yes, well, I think I have it. All signs point to you missing Laney.”
I stared at Tess, waiting for her to continue. She didn’t say anything else.
“That’s it?”
She nodded. I groaned. “I know I’m missing her, genius. I was hoping you were gonna have a solution to snap me out of it.”
“I do.”
That caught my attention. I straightened up again.
“Shoot.”
“You should contact her,” Tess said on a grin.
“That wasn’t our deal.”