Chapter Eight
Emma
Cassie’s words threw me for a minute. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t noticed how—I wasn’t sure what to call it—bossy, micromanaging, controlling, Asher had been this week.
Was Cassie validating the behavior? Or…was Asher dominant?
There was a fine line between the two, according to the stories I’d read and information on various websites.
Every day, he made sure I took breaks and lunch, even if I wasn’t ready to.
Looking out for my wellbeing, okay, maybe dominant.
He would insist, even to the point of turning off the computer monitors so I couldn’t work.
Bossy for sure, definitely not dominant, and well into PITA territory.
While it annoyed me, some part of me liked deferring to Asher. I’d been so careful, so anxious around, well, anyone. What would it be like to have someone confident at my side?
I didn’t have a lot of people in my life who cared about my well-being. My parents had never really been all that involved with or about what I did unless whatever I was doing impacted them directly.
They always hung out with large groups of friends and acquaintances, attended lots of parties.
I preferred being alone and hated it when my parents made me go with them.
I was nervous, sometimes feeling like I couldn’t breathe—especially when people got close while trying to get to my parents, ignoring the little girl standing there.
It also didn’t help that, during high school, boys were always trying to date me as a way to get closer to my family, their money, their contacts, and influence. Even some of the men I dated over the years were looking to get ahead by using me as a stepping stone.
“Where are you?”
I blinked at Asher’s words. “Sorry.” The apology was automatic.
“Are you okay?” He shifted ever so slightly closer to me.
“Fine.” I really was. It was nice to sit here with Asher, Marcus, and Cassie. How long had it been since I’d gone out with people I worked with? I also reminded myself that if I had any hope of advancement in my career, I needed to be more interactive with people.
Our food was brought, and as we all dug in, I found myself relaxing even more. The second beer might’ve had something to do with it, but more likely, it was the company.
Cassie leaned over. “So have you learned anything about the other departments?”
I shook my head. “HR seems pretty standard. I haven’t talked with the operations group yet.”
“That would be Josh and Dean; they run the department together,” Cassie said.
I tilted my head. “Together?” Was that unusual? Maybe not. I’d seen departments with two department heads, but it was the way Cassie said ‘together’.
“Yes, they’re both nice guys. Miles is HR, but you already met him.”
“Miles has some ideas on what he wants for HR. With us having contractors in the building, he’s trying to keep everything in line,” Asher commented.
“Contractors? Are you talking about the coffee shop?” I loved the little coffee shop next to the café; it made life so much easier.
“The coffee shop and the café,” Asher said. “And you. While John has some control over the café because he bankrolls it, the coffee shop is all Amelia’s. She does rent the space from us, but that’s about it,” Asher said.
Things were starting to make more sense. Even though I’d been at the job for a week, I didn’t venture outside the company campus much. For breaks, I’d grab coffee and a snack at Daily Perks. Lunch usually meant the café if I was hungry. If not, I’d grab a sandwich to go and eat it later in the day.
“John likes to make sure the employees have options while keeping the company secure,” Marcus said.
“It keeps employee turnover low. Contractors are another story,” another male voice commented.
Asher looked up as the table went quiet. “Miles.” Everyone seemed to perk up when he arrived.
“I finally made it.” He snagged a chair from an empty table and pulled it up. “Hi, Emma, everything going good for your first week?”
“Yes. It’s been great.”
“I’m glad.” His blue eyes twinkled.
“Finish up with the problem you were having?” Marcus asked.
Miles frowned. “For the moment.” He shook his head and looked at Asher. “By the way, I’d like to talk to you and Emma about streamlining some of the paperwork for onboarding new employees. I feel like I’m buried in documents.”
“Set up a meeting with us next week,” Asher replied.
The waitress assigned to our table had been attentive without being overbearing. She must’ve seen Miles join our table because she appeared almost instantly. Miles ordered a drink and dinner. “You were talking about the café and Daily Perks, right?”
“Yes,” I chimed in. “I’m wondering how they get paid for what Fantasies, Inc.’s employees buy? I mean everything is on our badges.” The café were contractors, but Daily Perks was more like a tenant.
“Easy,” Miles said. “Payroll gets a report of what is charged on the employee card every day, and they’re paid electronically.”
I sat back in my seat. “Sounds like an ideal situation.”
“It is.” Miles smiled at the waitress as she sat his whiskey down in front of him. “It works for us, and since the services are on the first floor, anyone who comes into the building who isn’t an employee pays them directly.”
“Are we including them in the software?” I asked Asher.
Asher looked surprised by my question. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“That’s a great idea,” Miles said. “We should include payroll.”
“That’s part of finance. I forgot about them,” Asher said. “Why didn’t we think about this before?”
Marcus chuckled. “Because Lucas is a control freak.”
Cassie glanced at Marcus and grinned. “Lucas would be devastated at that description.” Then she directed her next remark at me. “He’s in charge of the finance department, if that isn’t clear.”
I nodded. “I remember Asher mentioning that.” Fantasies, Inc. had a lot of departments, but it seemed like the main ones were in the building I worked in.
“When I talked with Lucas, he said he didn’t know what he wanted,” Asher commented. “He gave me some basics, but he wanted me to wait to do his department.”
“It would be easy enough…” My brain began coming up with ideas at lightspeed. I pulled out my phone and began typing notes. If I didn’t do this now, I’d forget exactly what I wanted. Several minutes later, I glanced up to see four pairs of eyes staring at me. “Sorry,” I squeaked.
“Don’t be,” Cassie said.
“That was fascinating,” Miles smiled at me. “I’ve never seen anyone with such fierce concentration in a public setting.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could censor them.
“What do you mean?” Asher asked.
My face flamed. How could I put this? “I learned from a young age how to filter the noise.” I’d also learned how to hide in plain sight. That was the best I could come up with. I didn’t want to talk about my family.
The men frowned at me, while Cassie looked intrigued.
“That could be dangerous,” Marcus said. “Anyone could sneak up on you.”
“That might be true for some, but I’ve never had an issue. I’m not ignoring my surroundings; I’m focusing on whatever I’m doing but still aware of what’s going on around me.” Another skill I’d developed as a kid.
Miles jumped in. “He’s right, Emma.”
I tensed. Asher slipped his arm over the back of my chair, not touching me, but I knew it was there. Was he supporting me? Or did he agree with them?
I took a deep breath. “I get your point, but it’s never happened. And I’m careful.”
Asher’s arm tensed, and he shook his head. “Just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t. I don’t want you to do it again.” There was my answer.
“Shit,” Cassie said softly.
I had no idea why Cassie was swearing, but I was certain I didn’t like Asher’s attitude. “Asher…” I started as I turned to face him.
“I mean it, Emma.”
Excuse me? Heat rose along the back of my neck and in my cheeks.
“Why don’t we discuss this privately?” I didn’t want to get into it in front of his co-workers. Technically, mine as well, but I would only be with Fantasies, Inc. for a short period.
“We will discuss it now.” His grim tone made the hair on my arms rise.
Don’t push me, Asher. Just don’t. “No, Asher. We won’t.”
“Maybe now isn’t the best time.” Marcus had the right idea. Now if Asher would just listen to him.
Asher glared at Marcus before turning his focus back to me. Miles had the presence of mind to stay quiet.
Okay, buddy you want it, you’ll get it.
“Asher, we are not in any form of a personal relationship in or outside the office. As such, you have no say regarding my conduct or what I do in my life.” My gaze speared Marcus and Miles. That goes for you both. My determination surprised me. In the past, I would’ve avoided confrontation.
Asher glared at me, but I wasn’t going to give an inch.
“I am responsible for you as long as you’re working for Fantasies, Inc., so you will do as I say.”
Oh HELL no, dude.
I straightened my spine. “Your name is not on the bottom line of my contract. You are a colleague, maybe even a peer, if you’re having a good day.
” I stood and maneuvered so that I was right in his face.
“I’ve been taking care of myself since my teens, all without your help, so don’t you dare come at me with your you will do as I say bullshit. ”
I felt like I’d added at least five feet to my height, and the heat at the back of my neck had turned into a five alarm fire.
I pulled money out of my pocket and dropped some bills on the table then looked from Cassie to Marcus to Miles.
“Thank you for a nice dinner. Have a good weekend, and I’ll see you in the office on Monday. ”
Without even a glance at Asher, I turned and walked out of the pub.
“Neanderthals. Can’t live with ’em, and it’s not worth kicking their butts,” I muttered