Page 17 of Just a Plot Twist (Tate Brothers #7)

Tuesday Texts

Benson: Hey, Claire. How’s your sore ankle?

Claire: What sore ankle?

Benson: Um. Were you faking it so you wouldn’t have to finish the hike?

Claire . No. But I’m channeling the power of positive thinking. If I pretend it was never hurt in the first place, I’ll be right as rain in no time.

Benson: I don’t think that’s how it works.

Claire: Why not? Our minds are very powerful. It’s all about choosing to believe.

Benson: If I choose to believe this dog won’t have another accident on my floor, will that do the trick?

Claire: Absolutely worth a try.

Benson: I did and it didn’t work.

Claire: You didn’t give it time to marinate .

Benson: Cinnamon is very quickly running out of time.

Claire: Are you going to cancel her if she can’t get it together soon?

Benson: Maybe. Or I could ship her off to live with my kids.

Claire: How is Miss Cinnamon doing?

Benson: Have I mentioned that she’s an aging English Bulldog and a royal pain? She slobbers everywhere and is diabetic.

Claire: I’m dying over the fact that you have an English Bulldog. I love, love, love English Bulldogs.

Benson: “Have” is a loose term. My kids are going to be sad when she’s no longer here.

Claire: Benson! Is she expected to pass soon??

Benson: NO LONGER HERE AS IN BACK WITH MY LANDLADY.

Claire: Well, thank goodness!

Benson: So, you ready for your grandparents’ thing on Saturday night?

Claire: No. We have swan handler issues and catering issues. It’s crazy town around here. Did you know that the bakery is sending over four people to transport the cake? That’s how monstrously huge it is.

Benson: Anything I can do to help?

Claire: Next time you run into me, make sure I’m not slumped over in a corner crying my eyes out.

Benson: And what if you are? Are you the kind of person who likes tissues and a listening ear or should I build a fire so we can burn effigies of the swan handler?

Claire: As long as you come packing heat, it’ll be fine.

Claire: Kidding!

Claire: Benson? Hello? Did I scare you away?

Claire: Oh great. I actually did scare you away.

Benson: I wasn’t on my phone. Someone has to administer medication to a dog with diabetes, and that someone somehow is now me.

Claire: You adore that dog, I know it.

Benson: …

Claire: See? You didn’t deny it.

Benson: I’m going to call my kids now, so I better go. Talk later?

Claire: You so love that dog.

Benson: …

Benson: Good luck on Saturday! The Extravaganza is going to be epic.

Benson: I do have to say that typing out “Extravaganza” is a pain. Can we call it a Gala?

Benson: Ahh. My fingers are thanking me for that. That’s so much easier. Gala. Gala. Gala.

Claire: Your fingers are big babies.

Benson: Try it.

Claire: Gala. Gala. Gala.

Claire: Yep. Much easier.

Benson: I won’t tell if you won’t tell.

Claire: Our use of the word GALA will be our little secret.

Benson: Done. My lips are sealed. Good night, sleep tight, Claire. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.

Claire: Good night, Benson.

Claire: Don’t let Cinnamon bite.