The Tessa Randolph Collection, Books 1-3 by Paula Lester (best ereader for comics .txt) 📗

The two of them have a competitive working relationship. Actually, the competitiveness leaks into their personal lives too. They’re like ex-spouses. Makes me wonder if they dated a long time ago.”

“Must’ve been a bad break-up.” Tessa smiled. She grabbed her stuff and followed Gloria out of the conference room.

“Let’s drop our things in the room and then get a drink,” Gloria suggested.

“Sounds good to me.” Actually, Tessa had a long list of things she should be doing instead. She could avail herself of the hotel’s fitness room. She’d been sitting all day, and her muscles were screaming for some blood-pumping action. But that could wait for tomorrow, when she planned to get up earlier and work out before the presentations started—especially if she wanted Danishes and donut holes for breakfast. Her tummy gurgled at the thought.

And that was another reason a drink was a bad idea. She hadn’t had any dinner. Then there was Silas. What was he up to today? Should she try to me up with him?

The first thing Tessa did in the hotel room was check her phone. She’d left it behind so she wouldn’t be distracted by it during the conference. She texted Silas, just a quick check-in to see if he’d a good day, then checked her messages.

There was a voicemail from Abi. “Your cat is a menace. I left my sweatshirt in your apartment last night, and she shredded it. Now she’s laying on it and won’t let me near her. Don’t ever ask me to watch her again. She’s evil. Bring an exorcist and a bottle of wine when you come back.”

Tessa rolled her eyes and made a mental note to buy Abi a replacement sweatshirt in the airport gift shop on the way home. That and a bottle of Pinot Noir should butter her up and make her forget the tortie’s bad manners.

Just as Tessa was setting the phone back on the nightstand, it rang, startling her. She glanced at the screen and groaned. She thought about ignoring the call, but it would never work. Cheryl would find some way to get in contact with her. She might even call the hotel bar. How embarrassing would that be?

Reluctantly, Tessa slid her finger over the screen and put the phone to her ear. “Hi, Mom!” She made her voice as cheerful as possible in hopes of setting the tone for the call.

“Are you learning anything?” Cheryl’s tone took over. All business.

“Oh, yeah. Loads. I can totally stay in the shadows with the best of ‘em now.” Tessa carried the phone across the room so she could look in the mirror while she talked.

“Good. Make sure you use those newfound skills during the rest of the conference. April isn’t in the mood to have anything go wrong.” Cheryl paused. “You’re not rocking the boat there, are you?”

“Boat? What boat? I haven’t seen a boat. We’ve been stuck at the hotel.” Tessa scrunched her hair, trying to give it more bounce. It looked limp and lifeless. The water at the hotel was softer than at home. She really should have packed her root booster.

“I sent you there to learn, Theresa. Not play in Miami.”

“You know, if they wanted to stick us somewhere to learn, Michigan would’ve been the perfect place.”

“I can tell by your tone that you are rocking the boat!”

“Mom! I don’t know anything about a boat. Things are going smoothly. You know, except for the dead reaper on the plane.”

“Yes, well, I heard about that. Unfortunate situation. But it’s none of your business, so stay out of it.” Cheryl’s tone didn’t allow for any argument, so Tessa didn’t make one. She bit her tongue and leaned forward to check her complexion more closely. Her hair might not be doing well, but her skin seemed to love the extra humidity in Florida. Maybe she should spend some time with her head over a humidifier every day back home.

“Theresa!”

Tessa jumped. She’d been so busy thinking about her beauty regimen she must have missed something important her mother said. “What?”

“I asked whether you’re taking notes. I’d like you to do a presentation on everything you learned when you get back.”

“A presentation? Why? Don’t you know all this stuff already?” She crossed to sit on the bed. Gloria had disappeared into the bathroom after shooting Tessa a sympathetic look.

“Of course I do. I want to see what you are learning. If you write it down, you’re more likely to remember it. And if you teach it—it’s even more likely to sink in. Plus, it’d be great for the whole office.”

“I’ll remember,” Tessa said. “It’s not rocket science. It’s stuff like, ‘Wear dark clothes when you go to an assignment, so you’re less likely to stand out and be noticed.’ I think I can grok that, Mom.” She was ready to get off the phone and completely regretted ever answering.

“Fine. But take notes anyway. And be prepared for your presentation next Monday. What about the other reapers? Are you making friends? I hope you aren’t being awkward, Theresa.” Cheryl sounded a bit anxious, like it was too much to hope that Tessa could be cool.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I can handle the rare social interaction with a co-worker. I’m not that ridiculous.” Tessa felt herself pouting like a kid and forced herself to stop. In high school, her mother never liked her friends. She preferred to think Tessa didn’t have any. “You know I have friends, Mom. I know how to behave.”

“Sure you do, dear. It’s just a little reminder.” She paused. “What are you up to tonight?”

“Gloria and I are going down to have a drink in a few minutes.”

“Don’t overdo it! You know how you get when you drink too much.” Cheryl made a tsk noise.

Tessa didn’t have any idea what her mother meant, but she was beyond ready for the conversation to be over, so she said, “Yeah. Okay. I’ll be careful. Bye!”

“Goodbye. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Great. Tessa knocked on the bathroom door. “I