My favorite dessert

I walked into the room, shopping bags in one hand, and immediately sensed something was off. Carmen was standing way too stiffly in front of the coffee table, her expression a little too casual, while Ciara was lounging nearby, looking far too entertained.

I narrowed my eyes, scanning the two of them. "What… are you two up to?"

"Nothing!" Carmen answered far too quickly.

Ciara snorted. "We were just having a totally normal conversation."

My suspicion deepened. Carmen and normal didn't go together, especially not when she was acting this twitchy. Her gaze darted toward the coffee table like she was guarding something.

I took a step closer. "And you… what have you been doing?"

Carmen's shoulders tensed for half a second before she forced a casual shrug. "Oh, you know. Just… hanging out. Thinking about business stuff."

Ciara coughed, not even trying to be subtle. "Tax deductions."