Page 71 of Last Call

“Well, wonderful, everyone’s here.” Nana smiles, hugging Connor. “Especially my handsome Irishman.”

“Hands off my man, Nana.” I follow Nana and Connor into the house and see my three besties gathered around the kitchen table. “I can’t believe you guys are here!”

“We’re here because we wanted to show you we’ve got your back, even when you’re feeling low and don’t think you need your friends.”

“I always need you guys.” I pull out a barstool from the small kitchen island and sit down while Connor helps Nana gather food and drinks. “I’m in a much better place than I was a week ago, thanks to Nana Rose.”

Kiki exhales. “Good, we’re glad, because there are going to be a few changes at work, and I think you’ll be excited about them.”

The three of them share their plans and we chat about different locations for the new office. I’m thrilled to hear she and Sarah will be hiring assistants. She’s right. This is the perfect distraction to take my mind off our baby struggles.

“So does this mean I get to interview and hire the new office assistant to help Andie?” I clap my hands giddily.

“No,” Connor, Sarah, and Kiki shout simultaneously.

“Rude much. I did okay with Andie, didn’t I?” I smile affectionately at her.

“That was an asteroid-hitting-the-earth kind of rarity. A winning ticket for the million-dollar Powerball kind of lucky,” Kiki says. “Might we remind you of the disasters that came before her? I sometimes see the guy who was always crying at the coffee shop and it issoawkward. Let’s leave this one to Andie, ’kay?”

“Fine.” I pout.

“Good. We better get ready.” Sarah beams. “We’ve got a concert to get ready for!”

“Wait, what time is it? Did I miss craft hour?”

Kiki raises an eyebrow. “Craft hour?”

“I can’t wait to see the concert, and I’m so happy you guys are all here, but first, I have to out-knit Joan during our chunky knit blanket class. She’s this miserable woman who has it out for me.”

Kiki rubs her hands together. “Ooh, this sounds fun. We’ll make time for it.”

Outside, the bus horn blares. “Was that Mandy?” Sarah asks.

“I think she was letting Ed and Rita test-drive the bus.” Andie dips a carrot in hummus.

“I hope not. Ed is legally blind and Rita lost her license after an unfortunate golf-carting accident involving daiquiris and an alligator,” Nana says casually. “Ed almost broke his hip.”

We all look at each other and jump up, running outside.

Chapter 25

Tatum

Kiki slides thesheet back and crawls into bed. She snuggles next to me and lays her head on my bare chest. Her fingertips draw lazy circles on my abdomen, causing my muscles to ripple. I breathe in her wildflower scent and gently thread my fingers through her silky brown hair.

“Mmm, that feels nice. You guys were amazing tonight.”

“I never thought a sixty-and-over crowd could get that rowdy.”

“I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea to serve them alcohol. I was dying when that old lady threw her bra at you.”

I grimace. “It’s really disturbing having someone your grandma’s age throwing her undergarments at your face.”

Kiki giggles. “Grannies get to have their fun, too. I guarantee I’ll be throwing my panties in your face when we’re eighty.”

“God help me.” I laugh.

“I thought Nana Rose was going to need a hip replacement the way she was showing Mandy how to swivel her hips.”

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