Page 4 of Help Wanted

“I’m planning a romantic getaway for Bree’s birthday.” Josh beamed. “My mom is keeping the kids.”

“You’re not planning on number three are you?” Zane teased.

“We’re not planning anything. But if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, we’re already blessed.” Josh smiled and took a sip of his beer. These men sure seemed a lot happier than Zane.

“What’s new with you?” Josh asked.

“I’m looking for a new assistant to replace my sister.”

“Couldn’t talk her out of it, huh?”

“Nope.”

“Well, good luck,” Paul said with a wince. Paul had worked for him for the past three years and was his top mechanic. “I swear that woman is a superhero.”

“So you think I should put an ad out for a superhero instead of an executive production coordinator?”

“What is that?”

“It’s the title Sid came up with to describe all the things she does.”

“‘Goddess’ sounds more accurate.”

“Goddess of bossing me around.”

“Let me guess. She suggested you go out on a date,” Josh said.

Zane nodded.

“She’s not wrong. When was the last time you went on a date?” Paul asked.

A date. He hadn’t dated anyone in months. He’d gone out with a woman during one of his jobs in Alabama. But when the job was over so were they. He hadn’t bothered mentioning it to his friends. It hadn’t been important. “I own a business. I don’t have time to date.”

Such was the life of the sole proprietor. Too busy for anything remotely fun, but somehow it was rewarding nonetheless. He loved tearing into a new project, seeing something old come back to life and become useful and beautiful again.

New wasn’t always better, except when it came to wiring. In that case, new was better on the inside when covered up with a classically restored exterior. He prided himself on returning a crusty old sea vessel to its magnificent splendor. And though it paid quite well, he measured his success by the size of the owners’ smiles when they saw their boats after restoration.

His sister had helped him keep things straight for the past five years. Now he would be on his own. Strike that: he’d be stuck with some stranger.

* * *

After waking up on her brother’s sofa with a hangover that could kill a dead person, Kenley decided she couldn’t stay unemployed for very long. Not only was it economically unfeasible, it was also dangerous to her health.

“Hello?” Rachel answered on the second ring, sounding a little too chipper and a lot too loud.

“I just wanted you to know, after thorough analysis, your prediction that getting wasted was not going to help my cause is sound.”

Rachel giggled. “You always were a lightweight.”

“I feel like a lightweight sat on my head.”

“Feel better.”

“Thanks.”

She managed to get up and shuffle to the kitchen where Vanessa was equally chipper and loud.

“What is with you people?” Kenley complained while rubbing her temple.