Zoe fished out her raspberry and popped it into her mouth.“Did you mention you don’t have time for that?”
“More than once, actually.”
“And?Come on, sis.Do I have to drag every stinking detail out of you?”
“Well, if you’d quit interrupting, we’d get through it faster.”Sofia took a drink.“I told him we had a capable team, and that if he wanted that kind of personalized attention, it would be costly.”
“If you’re not spending as much time at the Houston branch, we may need to hire extra help.I can work a few more hours, but I have to stay focused on sales when possible.”
“True.”Sofia had moved to Houston for college eight years ago.When Zoe had been accepted into the same school two years later, they’d become roommates.It had been natural for Zoe to join Encore, even more natural to promote her to general manager when Sofia had opened the San Antonio branch.
Somehow Zoe managed to juggle all kinds of responsibilities.But there was a limit to how much more they could handle.“On the other hand, it could be good for me to spend more time in Corpus.”The team was doing an exceptional job, but if she were there more often, she could perhaps generate additional sales.“Am I insane for even considering it?Should I cancel Tuesday’s appointment?”
“We have other high-maintenance clients.”
“Not like this.”
“And it’s temporary,” Zoe said.“Six months, max.And it could be a good opportunity to find out who our best employees are, where we have weaknesses.I can spend a bit more time in San Antonio, as well.”
“I don’t want you to get burned out.”Even with excellent people in each location, driving the vast distances between the three sites each week grew tiresome.She needed Zoe to be her very best.
“Maybe we can see if there’s someone who’s ready to be promoted over there?”
“It’s an idea.You sure you can handle more?”
“As I said, it’s temporary.”
The more she thought about it, the more Sofia liked the idea.A little extra time in Corpus Christi might be good, and things would be back to normal before the busy holiday season.
“Just make sure you price it well,” Zoe added.
“I told him it may include a Pain in the Ass Fee.”
Zoe lifted her glass once again.
The timer buzzed and Sofia pulled out the quiche she’d put together that morning.
“What’s in it?”
“Red, green and orange bell peppers as well as spinach, onions and mushroom.I’m calling it rainbow quiche.”
“Which means I’m the taste tester for a new recipe.”
Sofia grinned.“Yep.”She put the dish on a rack to cool.
While she placed an assortment of berries and mint on white plates, Zoe refilled the glasses.
For the next few minutes, Zoe chatted about her lively social life.Zoe had a wide circle of friends, and she was dating several different men at the same time.“Anything serious with any of them?”Sofia asked.
Zoe took a fork and started spearing the pieces of fruit that Sofia had arranged on the plates.“No.So many men, so little time.”
That had been the main reason she’d moved out a few years ago.Sofia wasn’t enough of a party animal to keep up with Zoe.
When Zoe aimed for a strawberry on Sofia’s plate, Sofia smacked away her sister’s hand.
Once the quiche was cool enough to cut, Sofia served them each a slice.
After taking a bite, she said, “Maybe I should add a hint of cayenne pepper.”
