Alex rubs his wife’s shoulders while dotting kisses in her hair. “I wish I could do more.”
“You gave up your career after the twins were born, and you mind the kids and run the house. You do more than your fair share.” Audrey pecks his lips.
“I thought you were going to recruit a couple of doctors to come and work with you,” Ash inquires, spearing the last ravioli and popping it in her mouth.
“I am trying, but the pickings are slim. There is a shortage of qualified doctors, and any I have interviewed would not be a good fit. I need people I can gel with and doctors who have the right kind of people skills. I have met so many who had an awful bedside manner. I have worked my butt off to cultivate a certain vibe in my practice, and I don’t want to sacrifice that as I grow.”
“What about hiring an agency to recruit on your behalf?” Viv suggests.
“I have a contact who knows one of the directors of Recruit Plus,” Ash says. “I am pretty sure they have a medical division. I could put in a call and ask Sheena if you like?”
“It can’t do any harm,” Audrey agrees. “That would be great. Thanks, Ash.”
“Aisling Fleming to the rescue again.” I waggle my brows and grin at my sister.
“Is there anyone you don’t know?” Viv smiles at my sister as she finishes her food and lifts her wineglass. “I can’t think of a single time I have gone to you for help where you didn’t know someone you could call.”
Ash shrugs, letting the praise roll off her back. “Networking is the name of the game when you manage this lot.” She jabs her fork in the air, pointing it at me and Jamie. “And I like to pay it forward. You never know when a contact might come in handy.”
Isn’t that the truth. Ash has gotten us out of more scrapes and holes over the years, thanks to her smart thinking. “We are lucky to have you. I have no doubt Collateral Damage wouldn’t be the success it is without you, and the same goes for the label. We owe a lot to you, Ash.”
“Hear, hear.” Jamie plants a loud kiss on her lips. “You’re the real rock star, babe.”
“Aw.” Viv clings to my arm, smiling broadly as tears glisten in her eyes. “You guys are so sweet, and Ash deserves all the praise.”
“Amen, sister.” Audrey lifts her glass, clinking it against Ash’s and then Viv’s wineglass.
My cell vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out, frowning when I see who it is.
“Who is it?” Viv asks, tension threading through her tone when she spots my expression.
“It’s East.” I swipe my finger across the screen, and loud noise accosts my eardrums as I lift the cell to my ear.
“Dad!” East hollers to be heard over the din in the background. “You need to come home.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, sliding out of the booth and standing.
“It’s Bodhi. He’s lost his shit, and he won’t listen to me.”
“We’re on our way,” I say, pinning Viv with a troubled look as she grabs her purse and scoots out of the booth.