Sam picks up a piece of paper. “We’ve made a list of the positions we need. At least three for the front counter, two drivers, and someone back here to help us with the arrangements. They’d have to be qualified, of course.”
“Are two drivers enough?” One would think it is, but it usually takes all of us to get everything where it needs to go.
“That’s all we have enough vans for,” Caroline adds. “The only way to hire another driver would be if we bought another van. We could afford it, but I’m not sure if that’s another expense we want to take on right now. At least not until we know how the weddings are going to pan out in the long run.”
I take a few bites of my donut, thinking over everything they’ve laid out. It’s a solid plan to begin with, and it’s not like we have a choice. We badly need the help. It’s the only way this shop is going to be a success. It’s getting too big for the four of us to manage on our own, not counting my brother.
“Kai has already agreed to being the office manager.” Emily shoots him a pointed stare. I swear sometimes you’d think they were siblings instead of me and him. “He’s going to take care of the scheduling on all aspects, and the day-to-day stuff in the shop. We’ll have one less thing to worry about. We’re also going to start doing appointments with couples together instead of separately…at least as much as possible.”
“I can get down with this,” I grab a napkin and wipe off my hands, “will all of the calendars be synced? And is there any other software we need to use to make everything seamless?”
“I’m already on top of that, Sis,” Kai points at his computer. “I’m getting everything set up now and will show y’all how to use it once it’s done. In the meantime, I’m going to put out ads letting folks know we’re hiring.”
“Thanks.” As annoying as he can be, he is very good at his job. He has the experience from his previous job before he moved home. I’m grateful he’s willing to help us in making this business more amazing than it already is. “Oh, we’ll also have to make sure there’s enough room in the schedule for special events at the school. Almost everyone in town uses us.”
“I’ll make a note of it.” The gleam in his eyes lets me know making him office manager is the right move. He did fine driving, but it’s not where his passion truly lies. Doing all of this is what fuels him.
“I’m gonna go make a cup of coffee.” I head toward the warehouse where we have a coffee pot tucked away in a corner. That’s another thing I’d like to add when we have time. We need an actual break room for all these employees we’re bringing in. Hell, we need it for us. It didn’t seem important when we got enough money to buy the place instead of renting it. Now, it’s ours and we need to make it feel that way.
“So, I heard an interesting tale this morning.” I didn’t realize Caroline followed me into the warehouse area.
“Oh yeah? And what was that?”
“It explains why you were in so late this morning.” Caroline bumps into my shoulder.
Damn this town and their wagging tongues. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure, you do,” Sam adds from the other side.
“Did you really leave the bar with a younger guy last night?” Emily asks as she pulls another coffee pod out of the basket that holds them.
“Who told y’all that?” Either Caroline told them what she heard, or multiple people have been talking about it.
“Carlos.” Caroline answers.
“He wasn’t even working last night. How would he know?” It takes me all of two seconds to figure out how word got out. “I swear, I’m going to murder Eric. Why does he make it a point to get into everyone’s business?”
“So, it’s true then?” Emily moves aside as I turn away from the coffee pot so she can make hers. Caroline and Samantha also move out of my way.
They aren’t going to leave me alone until I give them the details. “Yeah, it’s true. It was completely unplanned.”
“Aren’t most one night stands not planned?” Sam laughs and follows me.
“Nobody likes a smart ass.” Why are they on my case about this? They’ve never questioned what I do outside of work before. Besides, it’s not like this is something out of the ordinary for me.
“Sorry.” She doesn’t sound like she is, but I let it slide. “It’s just you usually don’t do that here. And you didn’t bother telling us about it first thing this morning. We had to hear about it from Caroline.”
Well, at least I know it didn’t come from a bunch of people talking. It was just Eric ratting me out to Carlos, who knew damn well he’d tell my friend.
“I was kind of in rush to get here after I slept through my alarm. I would have been here sooner if I would have let him drive me.”
Emily gasps, “Wait. You let him stay the night?”
I glance at all three of my friends and they are gaping at me. “Yes.”
“You must really like him,” Emily finishes putting creamer in her coffee. “I don’t think you’ve let anyone stay the night. At least not since that one guy in college tried to cling to you.”
That was when I stopped bringing people to my dorm room. It got weird and he wouldn’t leave me alone for days after that. Xander seems different. He didn’t act hurt or put out when I told him he needed to leave this morning. Though he did leave his number. Maybe that’s just his way of putting the ball in my court and letting me decide if I want to make another move.
