Page 68 of Last Call

“Thanks. I was going to tell you guys on Friday, but then TJ was having that terrible, no good, horrible day and I couldn’t bring myself to hurt him.”

“Oh no, he’ll be thrilled for you,” Sarah says, then bites her lip. “At least, I think he will… But I think you were right to hold off the other day.”

“Yeah, it didn’t feel right to bring it up when he was so down. But there’s something else.”

“Oh god, youaremoving,” Kiki cries. “You guys can’t leave me.”

“We’re not moving, but…”

“Andie, it’s okay. You can tell us.” Sarah nods encouragingly.

“I… I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle working here five days a week anymore. I don’t want to quit, but I understand if you need someone full-time. This baby surprise couldn’t have come at a worse time, with all of us being so busy and Cam opening up a third location…”

“This baby is a blessing. Don’t let work, schedules, or my brother rob you of your joy of that.”

“Oh no, Cam has been very supportive. He’s over the moon.”

“I’m glad.” Kiki’s smile grows. She looks up at Sarah who nods. “Look, at the beginning, when you were single and struggling and needed the money, it made sense. But now that you’re married to my brother with two kids and a third on the way, we get your priorities have changed. You have been an amazing office manager and we love having you here, but family comes first, right, Sare?”

“Absolutely.”

Kiki and Sarah slide chairs up to my desk. “We need a bigger office.”

“I agree, and I think if we’re going to be having an open and honest discussion, we need to talk about hiring assistants.” Sarah looks from me to Kiki. “I know we said it would always be us and only us, but it’s crazy how much business is coming in. We’ve doubled our clients from last year, and with TJ wanting to dabble in home décor, we’ll be overwhelmed. I’d be willing to train someone underneath me to cover when we’re on tour with the band.” Sarah holds up her hand as Kiki opens and closes her mouth. “Kiki, you’re burning both ends of the candle. You know it, we know it, hell, the cleaning crew that comes in the middle of the night and finds you here knows it. TJ’s been urging you to get an assistant. Stop being so damn stubborn.”

Kiki’s face crumples. “I’m so tired, you guys. I’ve been trying to hold it all together, but I’m not freaking Superwoman.”

“No one is asking you to be,” Sarah says gently, stroking her back.

“I really want to try for a baby girl, but Tatum thinks we have our hands full with Chase and Drew. With my luck, we’d have another boy. I just don’t want to wait until it’s too late, you know? Sorry, Andie”—she sniffles—“we should be celebrating your news, not talking about my problems.”

I shake my head and smile. “Kiki, please, vent away. It’s long overdue.”

“I agree,” Sarah says. “Kiki, you’ve kept this bottled up for too long. We’ve seen the stress you’re under and the pressure you’re putting on yourself. First, hire an assistant, and then you’ll be in a better headspace to have the baby talk with Tatum. I feel like I’m being pulled in five different directions with flying to LA and Vegas for award shows, touring with the band, and local clients here… I’m going to burn out if I don’t get some help.”

I nod and give them a watery smile. “Damn these hormones. I love you guys so much. You gave me my start here, but I need to be more present at home.”

“Us too.” Sarah and Kiki both sniffle.

“Okay, then it’s decided,” Kiki says. “We’re each in charge of finding an assistant. Andie, you tell us what hours you want to work and we’ll work with it. We don’t want to lose you, either.” Kiki stands and hugs me. “I’m so happy I’m going to be an auntie again.”

“What about TJ?” I ask.

“TJ’s going through a crisis right now.” Kiki bites her bottom lip, tapping her fingers on my desk.

“I think we should put him in charge of finding a new office space for us because let’s face it, as much as I love being above The Social Hour, we’ve outgrown it here,” Sarah says.

Kiki snaps her fingers. “Brilliant, Sare. He’ll love that assignment. Cam has always wanted the upstairs for storage anyway, so he’ll be ecstatic.”

I chuckle. “Yes, he will be.”

“But first things first, you guys. We need to go help our friend, Tammy Jean. He needs us more than he’s willing to admit.”

“Road trip?” Sarah suggests.

“I’ll reschedule the appointments,” I say, flipping open the book.

“Too bad Mandy isn’t still here. She could shave two hours off the drive time.” Kiki winks.

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