She pushed her plate forward and rested her arms on the table in front of her. “Jack is little enough that he’s pretty portable, so he goes with us when we tour, and we have a nanny we share with the band. It helps that Jude tours with us doing the band’s sound, so we’re always together. Would you manage Unrequited’s tours?”
I shrugged. “If they hired me. But one tour a year won’t sustain me in any way. I’m looking for a career change, I think. I don’t want to be my dad—I want to be around while my kid is growing up.”
Jenna straightened. “I have an idea, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of you until this very moment, but you’d be perfect.”
“Color me intrigued.” All my attention landed on my friend with the perfectly coiffed ponytail, fifties-style dress, and exquisitely winged liner. I’d never be Jenna, but I adored her anyway.
“Well, as you may know, my dream has always been to own my own recording studio. Last year, I bought one. It’s shitty and rundown. Needs a total strip-job, all new equipment, the whole deal. I’ve dragged my feet getting it done, mostly because I’m busy with the twins and touring with Gabriel, but I’ve decided this year I’m getting it done.”
“I don’t know anything about recording, Jen. I’m a logistics girl.”
“Yes, I know.” She grabbed my hand, excitement lighting her face. “I want you to manage the hell out of this project. And once it’s done, if we both agree we work well together, I’d like you to stay on in a capacity we can work out in the future. I plan to be as hands-on as I can, but I think you would be an amazing asset to me.”
“That sounds…”
Jenna nodded, her ponytail bobbing. “Incredible? Perfect? Amazing?”
I had to laugh. “I think all of those?”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. It is all three. Gabriel and I will be in town for the next six months, so I’d like to get all the work done as soon as possible. I’m hoping we can rope Tals into consulting, since she runs Rein Records and has done something like this before. Although…we won’t be signing artists, we’re strictly a recording studio.” Jenna’s cheeks had gone pink, her hands moving as if to animate her words. To tell the truth, her enthusiasm was sinking into my bones.
“I think I could arrange it in my schedule to help. And I’m sure Jude would have a lot to say about the type of sound equipment you’ll need.” That Tali didn’t say this idea was crazy was a huge relief. Girlfriend was as levelheaded as they came and thought things through to within an inch of their lives. If she liked the idea, I trusted her.
I held my hand out to Jenna, which she shook with vigor.
“I hope we still like each other after this,” Jenna said.
Tali snorted a laugh. “Work Michaela is a little scary, just a heads-up.”
“Oh, I’ve seen her in action. I think my mom voice can rival her hard-ass bitch voice.” Jenna stared me down in a very mom way, and I immediately felt sorry for disappointing her.
“Holy shit, I can almost hear you say, ‘I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.’” I laughed, and Jenna’s face instantly transformed back into my pretty, lady-who-lunches friend.
When baby girl kicked, my hand flew to my stomach, and for the first time, I felt her from the outside. “Whoa.”
Tali grinned. “Is she tap dancing?”
“She is. Sometimes I forget she’s in there, then she gives me a swift kick to the bladder as retribution.”
Jenna’s grin was knowing. “Ah, kids. They kill you a little every day, but you can’t live without them.”
“What you’re saying is motherhood is all it’s cracked up to be?” I asked.
My friends both nodded. “I never really wanted to be a mom, and it didn’t come naturally to me. I had some postpartum depression, which was partially hormonal, and partially due to fear. My life was amazing before Jack came, and he wasn’t planned,” Tali said.
I raised both hands. “Preach, sister.”
Tali grinned. “I’m a planner, so you know I was thrown. I thought having Jack would take something away from Jude and me, but he’s only added. I mean, we’re different. We’re not staying up all night having sex until we pass out or going to shows every weekend, but we still do our thang.” She winked, and I had a feeling her “thang” with Jude was pretty freaking hot. I’d ogled her man before he became her man again, and he was gorgeous.
Jenna smoothed her hands over the fluffy skirt of her dress. “I’ll admit we have a lot of help. Twins are no joke, my friends.” She arched a brow at me. “If you’re looking for advice, I’d say being willing to accept help is the biggest one. Whether it’s hired help or family, take it. Do not kill yourselves trying to do it all.”
I poked my ever-growing bump. “There’s only one in there, but I’m totally down with accepting help.” I let out a pained groan. “I’m going to have to find a nanny, aren’t I? I haven’t even begun to register for anything. It’s overwhelming.”
Jenna laid her hand on my arm. “Girl, no. I’m going to introduce you to Lila Ann Mason, baby concierge. She will do all that for you, and you can kick back and relax.”
My eyes bulged. “A baby concierge?”
Tali smirked. “Welcome to life as a celebrity baby mama in Manhattan.”