My One And Only (Very Irresistible Bachelors 5)

Skye straightened up, glowering at the table. “We do have news, so lay off Tess. She’ll share when she’s ready.”

Hunter leaned forward, looking at Cole and Ryker. “I don’t remember Tess granting us the mercy of sharing when we’re ready.”

My brothers shook their head.

“Yeah, I don’t remember that either,” Josie added. “But let’s hear their news.”

“Well, as you know, we’re moving forward with the investor,” Skye said quickly, standing super straight and smiling from ear to ear. “And we just signed the lease for the second brick-and-mortar shop.”

There was a chorus of congrats, and then chairs screeched as everyone came to hug us. I sighed, just soaking in all their affection.

“I already knew that,” Ryker said. “I spoke to Mom before coming here.”

I grinned. We called Mom the second we signed the lease today.

“Just let us know if you need anything,” Hunter said. They’d been very supportive every step of the way, from helping us get the first store ready for launching to actually taking shifts on Sundays so Skye and I could take a day off.

“We’ve got things under control this time,” I said. “At least, we think we do. We might have to cut back on our tasks for the galas, though.”

That was breaking my heart a little, because I loved those with a passion, but until we got the store up and running, I couldn’t split my focus.

“We’re going to tell the event planner immediately,” Hunter said.

Cole frowned. “Tess, why didn’t you say that? You don’t have to do anything for my wedding.”

I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. Your wedding is next summer. With the first gala already behind us, the next one will probably be in January, and we’re hoping to open the store at the beginning of December, so...”

The first gala was always in the beginning of September, and it had been a success. We raised a lot of funds. But with everything going on, I couldn’t spend any time on the organization.

“Are you sure?” Cole asked.

“Yes.”

“So, anyone else have news?” Skye asked, glancing around the table.

Everyone shook their heads, but I thought Josie looked a little guilty. Hmm...I could push, but it wasn’t right after she took my side.

We just chatted about the store, then about Cole and Hunter’s expansion in Europe. Their real estate company was huge in the US, but they’d just branched out in Europe, building a shopping center in Rome. They were kicking ass, and I couldn’t be prouder.

One hour later, Skye, Josie, and I left the office. As usual, these lunches seemed too short.

“Hey, girls, can I talk to you?” Josie asked while we were in the elevator.

“Of course.” I was all giddy, wondering if she was letting us in on whatever she hadn’t shared before.

“So, Isabelle is trying to organize some events for her clients and asked me for ideas. I’m terrible at this stuff, so I was wondering if it’s okay for her to ask you?”

Isabelle was a dear friend of ours. She was also Josie’s sister. She’d moved to New York a couple months ago and was still adjusting. As a freelance therapist, she had some trouble growing her client base. I sympathized with her, as I knew all too well what it meant to struggle with your business. Skye and I worked fifteen-hour days in the beginning trying to kick it all off. We were lucky enough that it took off and that we had so much demand that we actually needed an investor to expand. But I didn’t forget those early days, and I wanted to help Isabelle in every way possible.

“Of course,” Skye answered. I nodded excitedly, even though I was 100 percent sure this wasn’t what Josie held back before. Instinct told me not to push on that topic, though.

“Are you sure? Because you two are super busy—”

I linked an arm with hers. “Yes, but giving advice to a friend is no biggie. I’m a bit upset Isabelle didn’t just outright ask us.”

&n

bsp; “I think she just doesn’t want to bother you.”