5. Wren
5
WREN
T aking a deep breath, I knock on the door—fighting the urge to just walk in—and wait to be allowed entry. It’s been almost a week since dinner at my parents’ and unsurprisingly, I haven’t found a way to broach the subject of my proposal with my boss.
Until now.
I’d opted for my favorite purple bra and panty set this morning and decided the only one standing in my way is me. Spine straight, I give myself the pep talk of the century because I’ve got this.
“Come in.” Merrick’s voice is a low hum, the kind that sends a shiver down my spine and has me all worked up without even a glance.
Focus, Wren.
Pushing open the door, I smile. “Do you have a couple of minutes?”
He blinks at me, looks at the papers strewn all over his desk, and then tosses his pen on the desk. “Sure.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, I hand him the presentation I revamped after Erika had turned it down last year.
“What’s this?”
“Plans to upgrade the sauna and new massage packages I’m hoping you’ll consider.”
“There’s no money in the budget for an upgrade and the one we have is solid,” he says, thumbing through the pages.
“I understand that,” I reply, swallowing down my frustration as I fight to keep my tone even. “The benefits are becoming more widely known, popularity has skyrocketed, and constructing one in your backyard is easier than ever.”
“And these?” he asks, holding up a sheet of color-printed pictures of massage tables.
“We have the spa here along with a salon. These tables are designed for more in-depth hair and scalp treatments with a massage. They’re popular to do with a friend.”
“And expensive.”
“I know, but I mapped out the projected profit in six and twelve months if we can get everything running before Mother’s Day.”
I can tell he wants to say no. His face is pensive as he looks at me and then back down at the sheets in front of him.
“I will look it over and see what we can do,” he says finally, and I do my best to keep my expression as neutral as possible.
“Thank you.” Standing, I make my way toward the door before stopping and looking back. “Thank you for hearing me out.”
Nodding, he returns to the work in front of him and I step out into the hall, almost running into Holly as I do.
She scoffs, “Couldn’t get what you wanted when my mom was in charge so you’re throwing yourself at Merrick? Wow.”
“Some of us are actually working professionals, not that you’d know anything about that.”
She scowls, but I won’t get anywhere arguing with her now, and besides, Merrick gave me the smallest bit of hope that things might just turn around for me here.
* * *
MERRICK
Barely five minutes pass before there’s another knock on the door. “Come in,” I grunt, pushing Wren’s folder to the side and swallowing my disdain for Holly Gould as she walks into my office.
“Good morning, Mr. Ellis,” she says brightly, her expression full of faux sweetness. The same expression on Wren had lit my blood on fire, but on Holly, it makes my skin crawl.
“What can I do for you?” I ask even though I absolutely don’t have time for this. The Mountain Side Salon and Spa had a lot of overhead when we’d acquired it—not unusual for a family-run business. But a couple of months in and I still can’t track down where the money is going.
My father had griped at me to let someone else do the detective work, but if I am going to be trapped in Montana, responsible for this business, the only person touching the financials will be me.
“Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about a few upgrades I think would be amazing here, you know, since you’re already helping us so much.”
She hands me the folder and settles into the chair across from me, my hackles rising as I stare at a nearly identical presentation to Wren’s.
“Tell me about it,” I say carefully.
“Oh, you know, more luxury for our guests. These new treatments are so popular and would, like, really increase sales here.”
“These are expensive upgrades.”
She shrugs one shoulder and gives me a smile like we’re in on some secret together. “But that’s why you bought it, isn’t it? To match the feel of your other locations?”
Fuck my life.
“I’ll look into it, thanks,” I tell her curtly. When she doesn’t move, I turn toward my computer screen. “I see that you’ve taken a lot of time off since January. Is that going to continue for the remainder of the year?”
Sputtering, she shakes her head. “I’ve been here for a long time so I have a lot of time off saved up, and it renews at the beginning of the year.”
I hum, knowing I’ve also scoured all the employee schedules and found she’s taken more than a few liberties since I started.
“Well, I just want to make sure this place is running smoothly and that we can accommodate the time off everyone takes.”
Slipping her mask back into place, she smiles. “Of course, that’s what we all want.”
I don’t answer, thankful that she’s finally taken the hint to leave even as she sways her hips as she goes. I’m sure it’s for my benefit, but I couldn’t care less. If I’m going to break the rules, it won’t be for Holly.
It’ll be for a sexy little hellcat that might’ve just given me the answer I’ve been looking for.