Page 83 of Give Me Forever

“You're going to have a baby, Tate," I reminded him. "This is not the time to take more things on."

I looked at Travis. "I really appreciate the offer, but it’s not the way to go."

"I have time," Luke said.

"You have an architecture company," I pointed out.

"It's called interchangeable skills."

Tate cleared his throat, and everyone at the table was silent. I had a flashback to our childhood when he would do the same when he wanted our attention. I was happy that some things never changed.

"Listen, obviously we all have lives and businesses, but that doesn’t mean we can't come together for a project like this. Just know that you can count on us. At the very least, we can help you put a team in place so you don't have to do any managerial tasks."

"I hadn't thought about that," I said. I didn’t envy the CEO's job. He spent a lot of time dealing with paperwork.

"Yeah, we'd do anything to keep you here," Reese said, batting her eyelashes. “I would even leave Travis for you in case you wanted full-time employees who don't need to be paid."

"Yeah, me too," Kimberly said.

"What the hell is this?" Travis asked. "Are you two striking or something?"

"No, we're just saying we can migrate to Sam if he needs us more than you do."

"I worked for like half a year to convince you both to join me," Travis exclaimed.

Reese smiled sheepishly. "Awwww. You’d miss us."

I laughed. "Girls, you don't have to leave Travis for me, but I appreciate that you would."

"When are you going to tell Avery?" Reese asked. She sounded serious.

"After I think this through. I don't want to just throw it out there. I don't want her to worry about anything."

"Just don't wait too long, okay?" Kimberly said.

"I think it's best to discuss things as they happen," Tate chipped in unexpectedly. He usually didn’t give any sort of relationship advice. Then again, I hadn't been in a relationship when I was in Chicago. I could imagine that, over the years, he'd had to hone that skill what with everyone getting hitched.

"You decide when you tell her," Reese said. "In the meantime, I’d appreciate it if you would also call me for help when you need ideas or, you know, minions to arrange your dates."

Kimberly balked. "I'm not a minion."

"I’d like to be one. I can't believe you didn't call me."

"Deal." I'd forgotten how to navigate family relationships. It was true that Kimberly and I spoke the most when we were away from Chicago. We bonded over the fact that we were separated from the family. "Reese, I swear.”

She raised an eyebrow. "On your heart?"

"I promise I'll call you too."

"Okay, now I'm happy," Reese said, and then her face broke into a smile. "You know, I’ve always loved cozy blankets. I imagine that's where Kimberly got the idea."

Kimberly and I both started laughing, realizing what Reese needed. She wanted credit too.

It just so happened that I planned to woo Avery with a lot more dates, so Reese would have plenty of time to help me out too.

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