about me and my dad. I guess what I’m saying is that it’s also about the intention behind what they’re doing.”
That was so much like what Josie had just been thinking about, she sucked in a quick breath.
Zoe was nodding. “It’s true. And now that I think about it, I think Grant’s rubbed off on the guys. In a really good way.”
Josie perked up at that. “What do you mean?”
“Well, Aiden’s got millions too. But he’s never offered to buy the bakery or buy me an insurance policy or give me money to do anything with it. He’s given me advice and gone over the books with me, when I’ve asked, but he’d always been really respectful of it being my business and not just throwing money at my problems for me.”
“That’s true,” Jane said. “Dax has never said a word about me not working at the factory or him supporting me or anything. He didn’t buy the nursing home just to impress me. He really wanted to work there and because it was a challenge for him. I’m sure if I wanted to quit and live on his money, he’d be okay with it, but I’d be willing to bet that’s never even occurred to him.”
“And you think that’s because of Grant?” Josie asked.
“I think Grant’s taught the guys, either actually or by example, to respect other people being independent and working and doing their thing their way. I think he’s instilled a definite sense of respect for women,” Zoe said. “They treat Piper really well.”
“They do. They tease her like a friend, but they listen to her and include her almost like she’s a partner,” Jane said.
“And they’ve brought Whitney in on a lot of stuff,” Zoe said. “Even though she worked for Hot Cakes before they bought it and was part of the family that basically ruined it, they’ve given her a chance to stay on and help rebuild it. I think that’s pretty great.”
Josie did too now that they pointed all that out. Grant’s respect for women and his support of autonomy was not a bad thing.
“So you guys are making it work,” she said. “The being your own woman but still in a relationship.”
“We are,” Jane said.
“Of course,” Zoe said. “The guys would never expect us to suddenly change.”
“Well, Grant does want me to change,” Josie said.
“How?” Jane asked.
“He wants me to be more responsible and more aware of my budget and more careful with my money.” Okay, when she said it out loud it didn’t sound so bad.
Zoe agreed. “And that makes him a jerk?”
“No. It makes us incompatible long term though,” Josie said. Then she winced. “That makes me sound like I really want to be irresponsible and poor, doesn’t it?”
Jane laughed. “A little bit. I know that’s not what you mean though.”
“But would it be terrible to let him teach you about spreadsheets or whatever?” Jane asked. “I mean, Dax has taught me more about Frank Sinatra than any person on the planet should know besides Frank himself.” She shrugged. “Making him happy is worth a little painful boredom sometimes.”
“And maybe he could teach you about filling out spreadsheets while cuddling on the couch,” Zoe said. “You both get a little of what you want.”
Josie sat up a little straighter. Curled up against Grant would make learning about budgeting better for sure.
“Or you move the spreadsheet session to the bedroom,” Jane said. “Tell him you’ll listen about formulas and columns and rows, but he has to be naked while he teaches.”
Josie laughed. “I won’t be concentrating very hard. I won’t retain a thing he tells me.” But she liked this general idea. She could meet him partway. That was very real relationship-ish.
“I’m just saying, learning spreadsheets is a lot more fun that way, and it will limit the amount of time he makes you practice,” Jane said with a grin.
“Well, that sounds good when you put it that way,” Josie agreed.
“And hey, anything that has the words spread and sheets in it, at least has the potential to be dirty and fun, right?” Zoe asked.
“You’ve become downright naughty since Aiden came back and took care of your V-card situation,” Jane said with a grin, lifting her glass.
“Yes, yes, I have,” Zoe said, leaning back with a very satisfied look on her face.
Josie smiled. She was feeling more satisfied than she had for a few days. Maybe there was a way to make this work with Grant. Give and take. Compromise. Teaching each