“He’s got a different management style,” I agreed. “Different but effective.”
“Um, I don’t know where you’ve been, but that man is awful. He has no idea how to run a business.”
I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I was actually defending him. “He is very good at running a business,” I said and held up my hand when she opened her mouth to argue against my statement. “He doesn’t know how to handle people. That’s very different. He makes money. I hate to say it, but he busted his ass to get to where he is.”
She rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t give him a free pass to be an asshole.”
“No, but his position does give him the ability,” I said.
“Are you really sticking up for him?” she asked.
“I am. I mean, I agree there was some stuff he did that was bullshit, but he’s learning.”
She gave me a strange look. “Do you think he’s learning enough to bring our breakroom back?”
I said. “Baby steps.”
“Do you think we can start returning to normal again?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“He came in, he busted our asses, and made a shit ton of money. He came, he saw, he did. Now, will he go away? He’s not here today and I heard he wasn’t going to be coming in for a while. Is it too early to celebrate?”
I didn’t want to celebrate. I was probably the only one who was bummed he wasn’t going to be in the office. I wasn’t sure what I was more upset about. No more office quickies were certainly high up on the list of downsides. But I was also going to miss getting to spend time with him. Lana didn’t get to see the sexy, flirty side of him.
“Lana you are a leader here,” I started and did my best to sound diplomatic. “People look to you to take their moves. You have a lot of influence and you can really help make this is a smooth transition.”
“What do you mean?” she asked. “What transition?”
“With Nash taking over the business.”
She shook her head. “You are the manager.”
“But I’m not going to be here forever,” I said.
“No! Are you quitting?”
“No,” I said. It wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t quitting right away. “But Nash is the owner, and he does appear to want to have an active role in the business. It will make things easier for everyone if we can ease through the transition instead of fighting it every step of the way.”
“Saige, the guy is a dick. Period. You can give him a hundred excuses, but he’s still a dick. He’s harsh and rude. He looks down on all of us. He acts like his shit doesn’t stink. No one likes him. I don’t see that ever changing.”
I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I understood where she was coming from. I had to question if my vision was blurred by my feelings for him. That opened up an entirely different set of problems.
“Lana, I have to ask you not to talk like that about him to anyone else,” I said.
“Come on,” she said. “Don’t pretend you actually like the man.”
“I do, actually. I’m not saying we are best friends, but I’ve taken the time to get to know him a little better.”
She didn’t look impressed. “See, that’s the difference between you and the rest of us. He sees you as worthy because of your position. He would never allow us to get to know him.”
“He probably won’t invite you out on his yacht, but—”
“He invited you on his yacht?” she exclaimed.
“No,” I said. “He didn’t invite me on his yacht. I don’t even know if he has a yacht. I’m just saying, he isn’t going to be your best friend, but that doesn’t mean he’s your enemy. George wasn’t your best friend and you never talked shit about him.”
“Because George wasn’t an asshole,” she asserted.
I could see her growing more frustrated. I needed to back off or the whole damn staff would walk out on me. “I understand,” I said. “I really do, but please try and remember he is the boss.”
“I can’t forget that, but I don’t like him, Saige. I can’t see myself ever liking him.”
“I can accept that,” I said. “But please do me a favor?”
“Do not ask me to get that man coffee or anything else like that.”
I laughed. “Definitely not. I’m asking you to keep the shit-talk to yourself. You know how hard it is to keep morale up. Nash isn’t going to be here all the time. It’s still our office and we have a great staff. I don’t want to lose anyone else. You have to help me keep up the morale.”
“Fine, I won’t say anything about Mr. Dick.”
“Lana!”
She laughed. “Sorry, I don’t like him and that isn’t going to change.”
“And one more thing,” I said. “I need you to squash any talk about him. Don’t feed the mob mentality. Please.”
“Is that what you’re doing?” she asked.
I winked. “I suppose I am. Now, enough of that. How’s your son?”
“He’s good. Yours?”
It wasn’t like I could say he was doing awful. “He’s good. Anxious for summer.”
“Aren’t we all?” she said with a sigh. “I’m going back to work like a good little worker bee. If butthead comes in, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Thank you,” I said with a laugh.
Once she left my office, I let out a long sigh. This was not good. I wanted to leave Nash with a good company. I did not want it falling apart a week after I left—and I was going to leave. It was strange to think I felt some kind of loyalty for Nash. I shouldn’t. He was still the same guy he’d always been.
“Dammit,” I muttered.
I hated that I did feel like I had to protect him. I didn’t want to be the one singing his praises. People would suspect there was something more between us. I was overthinking everything. I pushed aside all thoughts of him and focused on work.
At least I tried to focus on work. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Him staying away from the office was the best thing that could happen. At least it would be if I didn’t want him in my life. He could walk away. That was fine, but I had to clear the air.
I got up and walked out of my office. “Everyone, can I have your attention please?” I shouted to be overheard.
“What’s up?” Lana asked.
“Go home,” I announced. “We’re done for the day. Let’s take advantage of a lull in business.”
Lana laughed. “Let’s not wait for her to change her mind!” Lana hollered.
It was only an hour early, but I was glad it was making them all so happy. I had an ulterior motive. I pretended to be packing up while I waited for everyone to clear out. Nash wouldn’t answer my calls, but I knew another way to get him to talk.
I walked to the alarm system and pushed the button for fire. It would send an alert to his phone. I knew Nash well enough to know he’d show up like he could put it out himself because that was the kind of man he was. He was certain he was that powerful.
I walked back to my office to wait for him.