"Nah, I just heated my cup up," I said, lifting it to my lips and taking a sip, only to scald my tongue in the process.

"Gross, but you do you," he replied. "I'm sending the meeting calendar to you right..... Now." My phone pinged and I pulled it away to put Robby on speaker and to look at the schedule.

"As you can see I have you travelling to the Ironpine pack most of the day, so your check in calls will be done in the car. Sorry, not the best I know."

"Why does Ironpine ring a bell?" I asked, taking another cautious sip.

A prickle crawled down my spine. That name. There was something about that pack name that was familiar, but in the annoying kind of way where you feel you have something stuck in your throat and can't dislodge it.

"No idea, they're a smaller pack with their Alpha having taken control in the past 15 years."

"So they're established?"

"Yes, however their Luna only came onboard within the past two years. She was a former Gamma rank but was never formally trained in the responsibilities of being a Luna. Former Luna has passed on so the current one doesn't have the support network. Before you ask, fated mates. Apparently she was his second chance."

I thanked every deity above that it was just a voice call and not video so Robby couldn't see me flinch. "Lucky them. Standard intake?" I asked, adding another packet of sweetener to the coffee.

"Should be, and they're excited to work with us. They're a referral from the Blackwater Pack."

"Oh good," I nodded, "It was a treat for Harriet to work with Alpha Carter. If they're friends then this should be a good one."

I could hear Robby's keyboard clacking away as he typed at his usual frantic pace. "Any new hires starting this week?" I asked, stirring my rapidly cooling coffee with my finger.

"Hmm, two it looks like. One for Accounting and another for Protocol."

"Good. Protocol's been stretched thin after Amanda found her mate within the Howlstone Pack."

"Oh is that what happened?" asked Robby, his tone indicating curiosity. "Sheesh that's like, what, the fifth one this year?"

"Sixth," I chuckled. "I should slap a charge into the contracts for stealing away the talent."

"At this rate you just might have to."

"Right?" My eyes glanced over to the birth announcement and I clicked my tongue. "You're good at shopping, right?"

A quick scoff was my only reply before I continued. "Send a gift to the Alpha and Luna of the Starfall pack. They just had a daughter."

"Are you sure you don't want to shop for it yourself?" He asked over the clacking keys.

"Yea," I sighed. "After five years, I still don't really have the guts to deal with them personally." I was brave when it came to a lot of things, but I was still a coward when it came to my ex-husband and his mate.

"You ever think about going back?" Robby asked suddenly.

I blinked, thrown by the question. My fingers freezing mid-reach for the coffee cup.

"Back where?"

"To the Starfall Pack. Closure, maybe?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Robby, I signed the divorce papers. Closure was the signature."

He didn't reply, but I could hear him pause in his typing.

"Anyway," I muttered, "back to Ironpine. What other details can you tell me? Any items I should know about?"

"Oooh right!" came the reply and the clacking of his keys resumed. "You will still be at the pack during their Spring Equinox festival. They kindly ask that you wear something green, preferably pastel."

I groaned. "None of that. You can wear your business Barbie outfits every other day except for the festival," chided Robby. "I'm sending you options online right - now."

My phone pinged and I scrolled through the links Robby sent. "Too short. Too floofy. Robby what the hell is that? That looks like a nightgown, not a dress for a festival."

"What?" he replied, I could hear the smirk. "Just making sure you're paying attention. Besides, Spring is usually a time of fertility and renewal."

"No. I think I have a maxi dress in my closet, anyway. If not, I'll pick something up on the way." I picked up my coffee cup and sighed. Cold.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

Because every Business Barbie needs a Robby, am I right?

Give me your best guesses why Ironpine tickles the back of Allison's mind. I want to hear your theories!

Welcome to regularly scheduled programming! New chapters drop Tuesdays and Fridays at noon Pacific.

I've got chapters scheduled well into the new year, so stick around. Things are about to get fun.

Also! Tiny happy scream moment: Luna for Hire hit #2 in the Leadership tag out of almost 3,000 stories.

Thank you for reading, voting, and yelling in the comments — you're the reason this weird little book has legs <3