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See? We had good conversations in this house too.

“Says the girl who sold a piece of art to Gun Larsen.”

“It was a very good piece of art.”

“I agree on that one.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere. You’re flying out with us, staying in a hotel, and taking us home.”

“On my own.”

“On your own? No. With us. To New Orleans. It’s a nice town. Very cultural. Dull as anything, but you like dull.”

“I like…dull?”

“You can visit museums. The graveyard tour is really popular.”

“Constance.” I sighed.

“Not kidding!” She laughed. “It’s really good. I did it twice. Did you know that they can’t bury bodies in New Orleans—”

“Constance!” God. Enough.

“You’re going on a plane. Nugget, we’ll hold Stewart’s hand, won’t we?”

“I don’t like planes.” Good. Phinney was on my side.

“But we’re going to see Mommy! It will be fun!”

“No, I want to go see Jasmine!”

“We’re going to see Jasmine.” I sighed. “Constance, I don’t know.”

“You do. You know it makes sense. You love Dad. You want Dad to be happy, don’t you?”

“Jean could do it.”

“Jean said no. Because you should do it. If anything happens, you’re there, and Mommy’s scared of you.”

Now I had to laugh, because that was definitely not true.

“I talk to her every night, you know this. She’s okay, deep down. She still works too much, and that’s what makes her tick. She knows we’re okay here, and anyway. She’s back with Brandon, and she’s too busy keeping him on a tight leash to plot any kind of stupid kidnapping plots. Also, I’d kill her.”

“Constance.” I said that. A lot.

“Speaking of which, I read up on this course, a fear of flying one. You do a session with a bunch of hot pilots, and then you go on a plane for, like, one hour, and then you’re cured of your stupid phobia. Easy.”

“It doesn’t work like that. And it would probably kill me.” Overdramatic much?

“You can get some Valium.”

Now I was truly laughing. “And look after you lot whilst I’m off my head?”

“You’re off your head most of the time.”

“Well, that part is true.”

“Anyway, Gray agreed to let me interview him for my essay.” Changing the subject like the pro she was.