16. Ana
CHAPTER 16
ANA
W hen I enter the building the next morning, the marketing director, Owen, is holding the elevator for me.
“Good morning! You came back. That’s a good sign.”
I smile at his joke—or at least I hope he’s joking. Based on things I read in the files, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if people have quit after their first day.
We make small talk on the ride up, then wish each other a good day and go our separate ways when we reach our floor. I put my bag in my office, set out a little potted plant I brought in, grab my notebook, and head to Derek and Jansen’s offices.
It occurs to me that I could say I’m taking the bull by the horns meeting with them first thing in the morning, but that expression makes me think about grabbing their … ahem, horns, and I almost need to de tour to the restroom to splash cold water on my face. Must not think about my bosses’ big horns.
As I cross the space, I’m oddly aware of my underwear. Ever since I first had the money to spend on things beyond necessities, I’ve splurged on lingerie. I feel both sexy and powerful wearing nice fabrics and pretty designs, even when no one else sees them except me.
But my new bosses have seen some of my lingerie, and apparently Derek is still thinking about it. Today, I purposely chose my most basic white set, with the hopes that my hormones get the message that my mind needs to stay on business, not pleasure.
I take a deep breath as I approach their open doors, both in an effort to keep said hormones in check, and to strengthen my nerves. There are a lot of things I need to discuss with them about the company’s concerning turnover rate, and I strongly suspect they won’t like what I have to say. I need to deliver my points with finesse, but that might be hard to do, since my brain seems to go fuzzy whenever I’m with them.
I go to Derek’s office first, and can hear he’s in a conversation before I see that he’s on the phone. He acknowledges me with a nod as I stand out in the hallway.
Jansen’s office is right next to Derek’s, and the door is also open. I find him inside, head bent over papers on his desk, and I have to knock to get his attention.
His face is stormy when he finally looks up, and I fight the urge to back away when he grumbles out a “Yes?”
“Good morning,” I say brightly. “Any chance you’d have time for a quick meeting this morning? Derek told me to come by first thing so the three of us could talk.”
Something close to a growl comes from Jansen’s throat. He looks back down at his papers, then pushes them aside into an untidy stack.
“Everything okay?” I ask, because he seems even surlier than he was the day I met him.
“Not really.” His gravelly voice does something to me deep inside, but I ignore that.
“Anything I can help with?”
“No.” A short but not very sweet answer, said in a way that warns me not to ask any followup questions about the source of his misery. I wonder if he’s had his coffee yet, because it’s my understanding that it helps some people face the day with a little more grace.
“Want me to come back later?”
I get another “No,” this time slightly less harsh, and how odd is it that I can read such nuance in my boss’s single-syllable responses?
Derek’s arrival saves me from having to try to make small talk—or more likely, from standing in awkward silence while Jansen frowns at me.
The other funny thing is that I realize I’m not taking Jansen’s bad mood personally. I wish he was in better spirits, but I know it’s nothing I did, and it doesn’t bother me at all. This may also have something to do with the fact that I find his scowl sexy.
Speaking of sexy, now that both men are together, my skin is tingling, hoping in vain for their touch. It’s going to take a long, long time to forget what we did together and how they made me feel, and I know I’m lying to myself when I assume I might ever forget it.
“What did you want to talk about, Ana?” Derek asks, pulling me back to the present.
“I’d like to review my plans for building up the staff.”
Jansen glances at a chair in front of his desk, and I take that as an invitation to sit.
Derek stands beside Jansen and leans against a strip of wall between the tall windows that face out to the front of the building. Both of them look at me expectantly, reminding me that their time is valuable.
I take another deep breath and launch into my planned discussion. “Filling open positions will be my first priority, of course, but we need to put an equal focus into retaining employees. Your staffing issues are never going to improve if people continue to quit at above-average rates .
“I don’t expect attracting applicants to be a problem, because as you know, the Community Bean product has an excellent reputation, and the company’s charitable initiatives are something a lot of people want to be a part of. The coffee is top quality, the sustainable sourcing practices are the best in the business, and above all that, the company makes a real difference in the world, improving the lives of the people in the community.”
All of this is very true, and of course, the men already know all of it, but I’m hoping that stroking their egos will help with the next part.
Why did I have to think about stroking? And filling … and positions? Why does all this standard corporate speak suddenly sound so deliciously filthy? Focus, Ana!
“We need those same driven people to want to stay here long term, so that your growth isn’t impeded by staffing issues, and so you don’t have to put so much repeated effort into hiring and training. People should enjoy working here, and they should be able to take pride in contributing to the company’s mission.”
Jansen’s mouth isn’t quite as scowly as it was when I came in, and Derek’s head nods in a nearly imperceptible movement, encouraging me to go on.
“I’m going to put together a list of ideas for boosting retention, and I’m hopeful you’ll both be on board with those efforts.” There’s no response to this, but I keep going. “I spent a good part of the day yesterday reviewing exit interview notes, and there was one dominant issue that kept reappearing.” Still no response, except for a slight narrowing of Jansen’s eyes. “Some changes to your management style may be necessary to support these goals.”
Derek’s brows lift. “Our management style?”
I uncross my ankles, then cross them again in the opposite direction as I lean forward. “People need to be provided with thorough training, and they need to be given grace. People need to be given a chance to succeed.”
“If someone’s doing shit work, they’re going to hear about it,” Jansen says.
Keeping my voice level and calm, I say, “Of course, and there’s a proper time and way to discuss their performance.”
“Some people don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt,” Derek says.
“Not every hire is going to perform the way you hope, but most people have the ability to do great work and add to the company’s success.”
“You’re far too optimistic.” Derek’s arms cross in front of his chest, and I avert my eyes from what that move does to his biceps.
“I am optimistic, and I’m also realistic. Being both is not only possible but highly effective.” There’s so much I purposely leave unsaid about their pessimism.
Getting to my feet, I say, “I know you’ll both agree that when a particular approach isn’t getting the right results, changes need to be made. I’ll get back to you later today with a list of job postings for your approval, and then I’ll formalize ideas for employee retention, so we can keep the new people that we hire.”
I’m offered another barely-there nod from Derek as Jansen’s scowl returns.
“Have a good day, both of you. Please reach out if I can help you with anything.”
I escort myself out, knowing I’m not going to get more of a response from them, and absolutely certain that their eyes are on my backside as I leave.
The IT guy is passing by as I leave Jansen’s office, and he adjusts his amble to match my quicker pace. “Good morning, Ana. How are you?”
“Good, Charles. How are you today?”
Instead of answering my question, he asks, “Were you meeting with Jansen?”
“Jansen and Derek both, actually.”
Rather than saying anything in response, Charles holds eye contact a bit too long, and I can’t decide if he’s trying to flirt, or if he’s just awkward. I hope it’s the latter, since I already have enough complications at this job .
“I was headed to the break room. Want a coffee?” he asks.
“Oh, no thanks. I already have a drink in my office, but you enjoy.” No need to mention that the drink in my office is water. Not being a coffee drinker is almost as much of a dirty little secret as my other indiscretions.
“See you later, Ana.”
After giving me a tentative smile, he cuts off to the right, and I’m free to return to basking in the buzzy feeling of excitement I got from talking to Derek and Jansen. I almost want to say from confronting them, though I tried really hard not to have it come off like a confrontation. I think I did fairly well, especially considering how distracting they both are.
I should be bothered by their bad attitudes, but instead I want to kiss their faces until at least their eyes are smiling. I want to do things to them that will make them cry out my name as they lose control.
And I’m very proud of myself for reining in these desires well enough to focus on business.
Before I reach my office, I see Owen again. He’s walking in the opposite direction and gives me a smile and a wave as we pass.
He’s actually really attractive, but he doesn’t stir feelings inside me like Grump and Grumpier do. What’s wrong with me that I’m attracted to grouchy men instead of nice guys?
Not that I want to date anyone at work, but Owen should be my type. He’s handsome, pleasant, and good at conversation. Even Charles should be more appealing than two men who act like storm clouds are permanently positioned over their heads, and who seem determined for everyone else to share in their misery.