Chapter Four
It’s All Work
Two Months Later
“I knew I would find you in here.” Rachel heard behind her. Turning, she saw Lisa enter the break room holding a sky blue box. “I’m happy your new co-workers haven’t broken you of your first cup of coffee habit,” Lisa continued.
“Of course not.” Rachel laughed. “It’s my ritual.
I get into the office, and while my computer boots up, I grab a coffee.
It’s an ideal way to start the day. Just like there’s something about three o’clock that calls out for coffee.
But, I swear, what is it about people who leave the tiniest dreg of coffee at the bottom of the pot?
” Rachel shook the practically empty coffee pot at Lisa.
“Why don’t they throw it out and just make a new pot for everyone else? ”
“Amen to that,” Lisa said, placing the box on the small round break table. “I know not using those little individual coffee pods is better for the environment, but it makes me want to slap someone when the office smells like burnt coffee.”
“That’s the worst,” Rachel agreed. “So, how are things going for you? I know that massive project came in. Are you guys able to handle the extra work?”
Lisa walked over, grabbed a mug, and placed it next to Rachel’s on the counter. When Rachel gestured to the mug with her thumb, Lisa smiled. “Well, since you’re making a new pot and all. Besides, I come bearing treats.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yup, really. I woke up early this morning for some unknown reason, so I stopped at Pie in the Sky.” She chuckled when Rachel’s eyes lit up.
Rachel didn’t even feel bad. Lisa and Lottie had gotten her addicted to Pie in the Sky Bakery.
It wasn’t even that hard when everything there was so amazing.
And the owner—Mrs. S as she insisted everyone call her—was a wonderful lady.
Rachel’s gaze shifted to the box. “Don’t toy with me. Is that really something from Pie?”
“It sure is,” Lisa assured her. “Thank goodness she opens early enough that I can stop in and still make it in to the office in time.”
“Since when does Mrs. S use sky blue bakery boxes?”
Lisa laughed. “I asked her the same thing. She just started using them. Mrs. S said something about finding her signature color.”
“It is a nice color,” Rachel admitted. “Honestly it could dead ugly and I wouldn’t care. As long as the treats inside are the same.”
“Anyway,” Lisa drawled. “The new project is coming along. I think we’re on a good trajectory. Initially it was slightly hairy, but you know anything new comes with its own set of challenges.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it.” She’d been in her new department for a few months, and while things were going well, she wasn’t feeling as comfortable as she would have liked.
Her boss Seth was nice, but still seemed leery of her.
He kept assigning her small, inconsequential projects when Rachel knew she could handle something more complex.
That said, she gave each project her full attention. Simple or not, it didn’t stop her from obsessing over every detail, rechecking facts, and making sure her contributions to the reports were meticulous.
“Problems with the new team?” Lisa asked.
“No,” Rachel paused. “Not really.” Seeing the look on Lisa’s face, she explained. “The new team is great. Good people. Not a lot of drama. My new boss seems pretty straightforward.”
“But what?” Lisa prompted.
“But I just get the feeling that Seth isn’t too sure I was a good hire. I know I’m still in a training period, but with the projects and tasks he’s given me, I feel as if he doesn’t trust me.”
“Well, he might not,” Lisa said. Rachel slumped in response. Sometimes Lisa’s honesty was not what she needed to hear.
“Wait,” Lisa said. “Hear me out. He might not be familiar enough with you yet. It sounds like he’s treating you like an outside hire rather than an already established employee.”
“Could you clarify that?”
“Well, with an outside hire, there is a learning curve about the job, the company, and the clients. You’ve been here for a few years, so you know the company and many of the clients. Just maybe not in a customer facing position.
“So your boss might think you need more of an adjustment period than you do. He’s probably just trying to give you time to acclimate, not to mention, he’s trying to see where you fit into the team.
“I know it must be kind of frustrating, but it hasn’t been that long. Let him move at a pace he’s comfortable. You keep doing you because you’re an outstanding employee. He’ll see that.”
Rachel grabbed the now full coffee pot and poured them both a cup. Bringing the mugs over, she set them down and dropped into a chair. “Damn, Lisa. That was extremely insightful.”
“I know, right,” Lisa said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Sometimes I even surprise myself.”
Rachel grinned. “Some days you’re too much. But seriously, thank you. What you said helped.”
“My pleasure. Do we get to eat blondies now?”
“As if I would say no to a blondie,” Rachel retorted. “Although, isn’t it a little early for dessert?”
Rather than reply, Lisa opened the box.
The most delicious aromas engulfed Rachel. She started to salivate and dragged the box closer. “Dear gracious. What are those?”
Lisa snagged the box back but reached in and grabbed one. Putting it on a napkin, she pushed it across to Rachel before taking one for herself. “These,” Lisa said. “Are peanut butter fluff blondies. And the kicker is Mrs. S. adds some jam, so…”
“They’re peanut butter and jelly and fluff blondies,” Rachel murmured reverently. That was one of her favorite flavor combinations right there. The heck with it being too early. She had to try this right away.
Picking it up, she ate a bite, shutting her eyes to fully experience the burst of flavors on her tongue. The peanut butter and fluff were a perfect combination. And the tart raspberry jam cut through the sweetness, balancing the flavors perfectly.
When she opened her eyes, Lisa was just nodding at her.
“I know,” Lisa said. “I know. Amazing.”
“God bless, Mrs. S,” Rachel said before taking another bite. Her eyes closed again. She simply needed a moment with the sweet confection, sure it would fix everything that was wrong with her day.
The two sat quietly sipping coffee, enjoying the treat to the fullest. When Lisa was done, she leaned back with her hand over her stomach. “That sugar is going to hard wire me for hours.”
“Next time you see Mrs. S., can you give her my thanks? That was amazing.”
“Oh, I will! And I plan on seeing her very soon.”
“Planning another early morning?”
“Lord forbid! Don’t even put that out in the universe.” Lisa took her sleep seriously. “No, Mrs. S. is currently working on a new recipe, and I intend to be first in line when it comes out.”
“What is she working on?”
“A blueberry buckle.”
Rachel laughed more for the look of reverence on Lisa’s face than anything else. “What the hell is a blueberry buckle,” she asked.
“I haven’t the foggiest,” Lisa responded. “Pie, streusel, buckle, crumble, slump…who the hell knows? Delicious is the only name I need.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Rachel used her finger to pick up some crumbs before crumpling up the napkin.
That was the most amazing blondie. Should she feel bad about eating it this early in the morning?
Maybe. But it had, like, eggs and flour in it.
Or at least she thought it did. So it was like a muffin with peanut butter for protein.
Don’t tell her she couldn’t justify a good dessert when she needed to.
They both stood and cleared off the table before Rachel went to top off her coffee. Lisa moved towards the door before turning back. “Hey, I like the outfit by the way. Have you been doing some shopping?”
Rachel looked down. “The skirt is new. Something a little different. I decided I wanted to refresh my wardrobe a little.”
“I like it. It looks great on you. I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks Lisa. See ya.” Rachel regarded her new navy pencil skirt.
It was a departure for her, but so far she liked it.
It was a little more form fitting than her usual work wear.
Paired with the white and blue geometric patterned blouse and navy jacket, she still looked professional, but the cut of the skirt made her feel good. Stronger. More confident.
Grabbing her mug, she was heading out of the break room just as her boss Seth rounded the corner.
“Rachel, just the person I need,” he said. Not giving her time to reply, he added, “I need you to jump into a meeting.” He jerked his head, indicating she should come with him.
“Sure thing, Seth. What’s going on?”
Seth didn’t respond, but navigated them to Rachel’s office.
He had a file in his hand, but made no reference to it.
His silence was making Rachel nervous. Once they were in the office, Seth closed the door and sat down in the chair opposite her desk.
Putting down her coffee, Rachel perched precariously on her chair, bracing herself for whatever Seth was about to say.
“Rachel, I’m simply going to lay some cards on the table,” he started, before checking his watch. “We have new clients arriving in under ten minutes.”
Rachel was surprised. Client meetings typically started around eight thirty or nine, but it was just before eight now. She said nothing, just filing away the fact that these clients were already unusual.
“Sarah was meant to be the lead on this account, and I just got a voice mail from her. She’s sick.
As in violently ill. So she won’t be able to attend.
Anthony is out on vacation, so we’re short-staffed.
Now,” he paused and looked down briefly, causing Rachel’s stomach to clench.
He continued, unaware of her nervousness, “You’re new to the team and your work has been good.
If I’m being honest, I just haven’t gotten a good read on you yet. ”
“Seth,” Rachel began.