Page 486 of Manhattan Bossholes

Natalie broke into a huge smile. “He’s been phenomenal! Super helpful, and he’s given me the best feedback on my stuff. Like, crazy, insightful advice. He’s so sweet.”

Relief washed over me despite her gushing about my brother. Hold on, I was jealous of the time they’d spent together?

“You’ve got that right. Christopher is one of a kind.”

“I see you brought him a present.” She pointed to the gift. “I feel like such a shit because I had no idea it was his birthday. He didn’t even mention it when we set up the meeting for today. Bernie had to tell me!”

I froze. “Hold on…my grandmother is here too?”

She nodded, grinning at me. “And her friend Dee. It’s an impromptu party! Come in!”

Natalie led the way, and I walked into a space that felt totally transformed. Of course, my grandmother had brought balloons and flowers, though I had a feeling that the loud music was probably thanks to the worst karaoke singer in history.

“Look what I found haunting the hallway.” Natalie laughed as she walked into the great room.

“There he is!” Dee cheered. A few months back, she’d had surgery for congestive heart failure, and my grandmother practically dragged her everywhere now. I think she was a little afraid to let the other woman out of her sight, given how stubborn she was about hiding her health problems in the first place.

My grandmother positively beamed at me. “Come here, you!”

My grandmother swept towards me with her arms outstretched, her flowy teal Branson-designed top billowing behind her. I could tell she probably just had her gray hair styled into her usual chignon for the occasion. As I pulled her close, breathing in her familiar perfume, I felt an unnamed tension release from the back of my neck. Dad died when I was just a baby, and Mom and Bernie raised Christopher and me together. Hugging her always felt like coming home.

“What the hell were you two doing out in the hallway for so long?” Christopher asked. “I was about to send a chaperone out to find you.” He pointed at Bernie.

I glanced at Natalie and she blushed.

“Just work stuff. Anyway, happy birthday, dummy.” I held up the gift. “It’s a book.”

“Gee, thanks for ruining the surprise,” he joked.

What I didn’t mention was that it was a limited-edition coffee table book by famous fashion photographer Clarence Avignon, that he’d signed and annotated. One of our original designs actually appeared in the pages.

“You’re just in time,” Bernie said. “We have food on the way.”

“Yes, we decided to order the most ridiculous stuff we could think of, so prepare for some fun finger foods,” Natalie added.

I sighed. I’d planned for a quick visit, but it was clear I was going to be there for a while.

“Sit, sit!” Bernie ordered. “Sparkling water, everyone?”

She headed for the kitchen before any of us could answer.

I took a seat on the couch opposite where Christopher was perched, and Dee was taking up the other chair, so Natalie had no choice but to sit beside me.

“Your employee here tells me you’re working her to death,” Christopher said, glancing between us.

My mouth dropped open as I glanced over at Natalie. “Did you seriously tell⁠—”

“No! I absolutely did not say that, you troublemaker.” She pretended to swat Christopher. “I believe I said he’s a fantastic boss, and I’m learning a lot.”

“Well, thank you.” I bobbed my head at her. “And Natalie, for her part, is an exceptional employee. She’s got an incredible eye, and she’s intuitive about the way things work at Branson. I’m really happy with what she’s producing.”

Natalie shifted in her seat and grinned at me. “Stop! You’re embarrassing me.”

“What? It’s true,” I insisted.

“Turns out we make a good team,” she said, eyes still on me. “Shocker, given our introduction.”

I laughed at the memory of our first meeting. So much had changed since then. “Yeah, I would never have imagined it, considering how you nearly took me out with a wet mop.”