Katie snorted. “That’s business-speak for sucky.”

“You said it. Not me.”

Justine shrugged. “What can I say? I’m stuck in a job I hate but not sure where to go if I leave. And no, that’s not a poke to see if you’re hiring, Kenzie.” She shot Katie a look.

Her friend cringed. “Sorry. I’m just putting a line out there for you.”

“Never a bad thing to do.” Kenzie agreed. “Look, if I hadn’t needed a flexible schedule due to raising my troublesome teenage brother, I would probably have taken the offer a prominent PR firm gave me way back then. But I had to do things my own way. I’m not saying that’s better than working for a company.”

“You mean working for ‘The Man,’” Katie said.

“‘The Man,’ right.” Kenzie chuckled. “I’m just saying working independently fits me and my friends. But it’s not without its own problems. Finding and keeping clients, having your own insurance, no paid sick or vacation days.”

“But you’re happy,” Katie said.

“Yeah. Like I said, it works for me. Have you guys thought about doing your own thing?”

Katie nodded, to Justine’s surprise. “I have. I ended up getting a great boss at Mayze or I would have quit. I keep telling Justine she needs to branch out on her own.”

“But it’s scary,” Justine said. “Just as you said, no more benefits, no more schedule, no more clients.” She sighed. “All the freedom of being my own boss and all the risks.”

“That’s the truth.” Kenzie paused to drain her water bottle. “I totally had—and still have—those same fears. But the more work we do, the better we get.” She studied Justine. “We’re overflowing with needy clients. If you want to start freelancing, I can totally divert some work your way. Just let me know.” She checked her phone. “Dang it. I have to go. Evan’s freaking out about dinner.”

Justine had a pang of envy, that her friend seemed to have everything Justine wanted. But Kenzie had gone through a lot of negative experiences to get there. Her parents dying, raising her brother on her own. Friends but no family... Except it seemed like Kenzie had a family in her friends.

Kind of like Xavier and Katie. My friends who feel like family.

At least, Katie did. Justine still wasn’t sure what to make of Xavier.

Kenzie left them with promises of a future lunch date, and Katie turned to Justine. “Okay, woman. Tell me exactly how your review went. I heard from Rebecca, who said you didn’t look happy after leaving Frank’s office.”

“I’ll tell you, but only if you promise to just listen and not tell me what I should have said or done after my review.”

“Oh boy. I’m going to need something stronger than tea for this.” She left and returned with a plate of sticky buns. “You eat too, or I’ll feel guilty.”

“You don’t have to twist my arm.” Justine took a bite of sugary goodness and explained how awful her review had gone.