I’m a zombie come Monday morning. And Monday afternoon. And straight through to Monday night. I spill Asher’s coffee. I forget his bagel. And if he wasn’t already annoyed with me, he definitely is when he finds me half asleep under his desk, which isn’t until he’s already on a very important conference call with a tennis star who has just been caught doping.

“You are in so much trouble,” he says once his call ends.

He never gets a chance to tell me what so much trouble entails because Morgan and Chloe come bursting through the door before I can crawl out from under the desk, which leaves me unintentionally eavesdropping on a highly confidential conversation.

“Nanny says you ignore her phone calls,” Chloe says. “And Mama says you’re having a quarter-life crisis…whatever that is.”

“I’m not ignoring anyone’s phone calls and I’m not having a quarter-life crisis,” Asher says. “And do you all just sit around gossiping about me all day?”

“No one’s gossiping. We’re just worried, Ash. You’ve been so withdrawn.”

“We should not be having this conversation around a six-year-old.”

“I’m six and three quarters,” Chloe says. “Nanny says I’m an old soul, but not too old ‘cause I can’t cross the street by myself and I don’t have taxes and I still can’t write my Js the right way.”

“We just want you to be happy,” Morgan says.

“I’d be much happier if everyone stopped meddling in my life. I’m twenty-six years old. Contrary to popular belief, I can take care of myself.”

“But it’s okay to ask for help.” I immediately slap my hand over my mouth, and no sooner than the words leave my lips, Chloe’s face pops into view. She gives me a lopsided smile.

“Olivia, why are you under Uncle Asher’s desk?”

“Yes, Asher, why is Olivia underneath your desk?” Morgan asks.

“That’s a good question,” Asher says. “One I would also like the answer to.”

No one gets their answer and I don’t get my sleep, which is why I’m currently sitting on a barstool at Rose Tavern drinking Irish coffees like they’re going out of style.

“Hanukkah is the festival of...”

Emanuel jingles his bell. “What is lights?”

“During which Hebrew month is Hanukkah celebrated?”

Emanuel jingles his bell again. “What is Kislev?”

“For the hundredth time, we’re not playing Jeopardy!” Bree snaps. “Alba! Tell him we’re not playing Jeopardy. And threaten to fire him if he keeps answering questions with questions.”

“Loveridge & McGowan intern with a perpetually bad attitude and last season’s Gucci loafers? Who is Bree Danchev-Truong?” Emanuel tips his glass to her.

“Loveridge & McGowan intern with spinach in his teeth and an irrational fear of ladybugs. Who is Emanuel Rivera?” Bree tips her glass back at him.