Teasing Rowena

The moment the SUV doors shut, Rowena crossed her arms and started sulking like a five-year-old denied dessert.

I immediately knew I had won before I even opened my mouth.

"You okay there, sis?" I asked, barely able to keep the glee out of my voice.

Rowena grunted a full grumpy, magic-section-lost, I-am-so-dramatic grunt.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

I leaned in slightly, voice full of mock concern.

"Are you sure you don't need a tissue? Maybe a hug? Should I call Seraphine and let her know her big bad daughter got outplayed by some chefs?"

Rowena's eye twitched.

"I didn't get outplayed," she muttered. "I had the most badges."

I gasped. "Oh, you did! That's right! A hundred and thirty-nine, right?"

Rowena nodded, shoulders puffing up.

I waited just long enough for her ego to inflate.

Then I grinned.

"And yet."

Rowena's eyebrow twitched.

"The magic section still lost."