Chapter 40
“Have you noticed that every time one of you starts dating someone seriously, we have an emergency Boss Babes meeting?” Reina
asked.
Zoe rolled her eyes at the redhead, even though she had a point. She’d put Derek to bed and sent an SOS text to her friends.
They were waiting with wine when she got back to her apartment. Their teasing was as cozy and comforting as Mr. Bobbins sleeping
in her lap.
“Why are you excluding yourself?” asked Trixie. “Wait until you fall in love.”
“I’m never falling in love,” Reina declared as she topped off everyone’s wine.
“I can’t wait to rub this in your face.” Josie laughed.
“It’s too messy. Y’all are exhibit A, B, and C.” She waved at Trixie, Josie, and now Zoe.
“Girl, stop,” said Keisha. “You’re going to fall the hardest of us all.”
Trixie and Zoe exchanged glances. Keisha had no idea that Andre’s best friend had a thing for her. Keisha would figure it
out when she was ready.
“Wanna bet?” challenged Reina.
“Now, now, let’s focus on the task at hand,” Josie reminded the women. “What are we going to do about Gregzilla?”
Zoe had already filled them in on everything from the costume shop visit to how he’d pulled a dirty one on Derek by forcing them to open the show sooner than planned.
“I can’t believe the name stuck.” Trixie snorted.
“I haven’t met the guy, but I want to kick him in the nuts.” Keisha’s curls bounced as she demonstrated.
“I don’t want anyone to get arrested.” Zoe bit back a laugh. “But I have a plan. I don’t know if it’s too bananas.”
“Let’s hear it.” Josie grabbed her notebook and flipped to a blank page.
“Greg is doing everything he can to sabotage us but he pretends that it’s for our benefit. That way if the musical is a success,
he’ll still get credit for it.”
“Not if, when,” Keisha corrected her.
“ When it succeeds,” Zoe repeated. “I don’t have control over the actors or rehearsal, but I can make sure the costumes are done
in time.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re pulling all-nighters for the next ten days.” Trixie shook her head. “You were a terror to live
with the last time.”
“It was one time for a high-profile bridal client.” Zoe pushed back. “Besides, she referred several less high-maintenance
clients, so worth it.”
“Does the plan involve my dancers coming to help sew?” Reina offered.
“No offense, sewing G-strings are a bit different from sewing the costumes I designed.”
“G-strings might sell more tickets,” Reina joked.
“I’m going to close Something Cheeky for two weeks and pay my staff to come to Prestige and finish the costumes.”
Her friends began to protest but Zoe held up her hand.
“I told you it’s bananas, but it’s the best solution. I trust my team and they can do detailed work quickly at the quality I demand.”
Her friends were speechless. Even Reina, who had a snappy response to everything. The women all turned to Josie as if imploring
her to talk sense into Zoe.
“Is it really a good idea to close your boutique for two weeks at the beginning of wedding season?” Josie appealed with her
no-nonsense practicality. “Especially if you’re spending your own money to bring your team in?”
“I don’t see any other way.” Zoe swallowed down the doubts her friend raised. Even Mr. Bobbins flicked his tail in concern.
“How about just one or two people go to Prestige so you can keep Something Cheeky open on the weekends?” suggested Keisha,
who managed all the finances for Hazel’s Kitchen. “We don’t want you to lose your main source of revenue.”
“We can help run the register,” Josie offered. “The other artists at the co-op can take my shifts for the next couple of weeks.”
“Those are all great ideas, but I need all hands on deck. That way Derek doesn’t worry about me. He needs all his energy to
get the actors ready.” Zoe’s voice cracked.
He’d done so much to help her ease back into costuming. Now it was her turn to stand on her own. She blinked away tears.
“Oh, sweetie,” Keisha hugged her. “You know we’re here for you one hundred percent.”
“Tell us what you need from us,” Josie said, picking up her pen.
“We’re not going to let Gregzilla win,” declared Trixie.
“Hell no!” Reina raised her glass for a toast. “To kicking Greg in the proverbial balls!”