The Tessa Randolph Collection, Books 1-3 by Paula Lester (good short books .TXT) 📕

her phone until she found Silas’s name. She tapped it and waited for him to answer.

“Hey! Done with the team-building stuff already?”

“Yes.” She winced. “But it ended kind of badly. One of our agents was killed in a shark attack.”

She heard him suck in a breath. “That’s . . . pretty terrible and not at all what I expected you to say. Wow. How are you holding up?”

“Okay, I guess. But would you blame me if I’m not really up for going out tonight? Is that all right with you?” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t be too disappointed.

“Oh, yeah, sure. Actually, that works out fine because I had a little incident today myself. I could use some rest.”

“Incident? What incident?” She felt a twang of alarm.

“Jellyfish sting. And, no, I didn’t do that thing they say to do to make jellyfish stings feel better. I was on a crowded beach. And I don’t know yoga.”

“How bad is it?”

“It’s pretty swollen. I took a bunch of Ibuprofen and I think I’m going to crash early.”

Tessa blew out a breath. “Okay. Well, I hope you feel better. Talk to you tomorrow.”

They hung up, and Tessa sprawled out on the bed. Gloria had turned on the TV before going into the bathroom. Tessa stared at the ceiling and thought again about how Timothy had looked when he’d retreated from the dock.

But before she had much time to think about it, there was a knock on the door. She dragged herself off the bed and opened it to find a bellhop with a cart so loaded with food it was fairly he’d managed to push it without losing a bunch. There were appetizers, steaks, seafood, a whole chocolate cake, and milkshakes—the kind that come in glasses with a mound of whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Good grief.

Gloria really knew how to leverage a spending account.

Chapter 11

“TODAY’S SESSIONS ARE canceled.” April’s face revealed more lines than usual, as if she’d stayed up all night after Cynthia’s death. She paused, pursing her lips for a few seconds before continuing. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Cynthia’s family during this difficult time.”

They were in the main conference room. It was only about half full. Many of the other reapers must’ve known this was coming and had chosen to sleep in. But the caterer hadn’t gotten the memo. Tessa guiltily pushed away her plate, piled high with breakfast food. After gorging themselves on room service, and with the thought of Cynthia’s death back on her mind, she was in no mood to eat.

She only wished April was more forthcoming with information. Surely, this wasn’t planned. And none of the reapers who had been snorkeling seemed to have seen much, including her soul or anyone taking her to the other side.

April cleared her throat. “We need everyone to stay on-site and be prepared for questioning as we investigate these strange occurrences.” Without a proper closing, April left the stage and the dull roar of conversation rose in the room.

Gloria, with the metabolism of a hummingbird and apparently not plagued with the same stomach-turning visions as Tessa, spoke around a mouthful of sausage. “Well, I guess we’re stuck here for the day. What are you going to do?”

Tessa shrugged. “There’s not much to do.”

“Let’s see.” Gloria quirked her lips in mock thought. “Since I’m living vicariously through you. I say you invite hottie landlord to hang out at the pool.” Gloria grinned and popped a grape into her mouth. “Besides, your tan could use some work.”

Tessa raised an eyebrow.

“What? Dragon-lady didn’t say we couldn’t have visitors. She just said we couldn’t leave. I’m going to book myself a full day at the spa upstairs. So, if they want to question me—they’ll have to find me first.”

“A spa day does sound good . . .”

“You are not invited. Again, if I were in your shoes, I’d be with that hottie. I’m only taking the second-best option so that you and he can be alone. I’m not a third wheel.” A sly grin spread across her face.

“Fine.” Tessa pulled her plate back, her growling stomach, having valiantly fought off the nausea, now demanded sustenance. “Anyway, I wouldn’t want Silas to find out I had a whole day off and didn’t call him. After all, he’s only in Miami because I suggested it.”

“Atta girl.” Gloria bumped Tessa’s shoulder with her own. “You two are perfect for each other. So, stop being all . . . Tessa . . . and catch that hunk o’ man, already.”

“The problem is I can never stop being Tessa.” She gave up the pipe dream of a healthy breakfast and started in on a cruller.

“Well, you can be Tessa, but just don’t be that Tessa.”

The aforementioned Tessa narrowed her eyes. “Which Tessa would that be again?”

“The one who overthinks everything. Be spontaneous Tessa instead.”

“That’s ridiculous. Besides, I used to be spontaneous, and that’s how I ended up with Frank.”

“That’s a story you’re gonna have to tell me someday.”

“I’d prefer not to.”

“Then write a new story. A better one.” Gloria didn’t say any more. She just grinned, winked, and stuffed some toast with jam in her mouth.

After breakfast, Tessa texted Silas. He responded almost immediately, letting her know he needed to change but would come right over after that.

With a little flutter of nerves in her belly, Tessa got into her suit and headed to the pool. It was outdoors, with palm trees lining the edges of the blue and green-tiled deck. The water glistened invitingly.

There was a smattering of people there, mostly other reapers, who Tessa avoided. She found a small empty table with an umbrella to put her bag on, then settled into a lounge chair next to it. She leaned back, closed her eyes, and let the sun soak into her skin.

“Is this chair taken?”

Tessa’s eyes popped open. She expected to see Silas—to hear Silas’s voice—but instead, her heart sped up when she recognized the tall man she’d seen