Page 23 of Gross Misconduct

“Noted. Thank you, Zane. And how is your workload? Any better?”

His face brightened. “Yes, it is. Thank you. I was getting a little burned out, but I’m able to breathe again.”

“Now we just have to manage Mark.”

Zane laughed. “Good luck with that.”

Zane and Whitney headed out, but I asked Oliver to stay behind. He looked a little concerned to be held back, and I was well aware that he was a little scared of me. I supposed I had that effect on people, but I needed Oliver, so I had to find a way past that.

“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble,” I said. “I wanted to ask you some advice.” Yes, that seemed like the right way to put him at ease. “Since I’m new in town and starting out this newrelationship, I thought you’d be the perfect person to ask about places to go around the city.”

Relief swept over him, and he smiled and let out a breath. “Oh sure, I know tons of places. If you like live music, I know where to go. Or if it’s just hanging out, I know a few great places. I’ll come up with a list and text it to you.”

“Great. That would be nice. I know people are still giving Jeremy some grief, so I’m trying to find ways to rehabilitate his image as well. Any ideas on that?”

“I can suggest a great one. Once a month a group of friends go down to Mainland Pantry. It’s a nonprofit food bank that sorts and distributes food packages to those in need. It’s rewarding and pretty fun. And at the end, we all take photos.”

A thought struck me. “Have the Kodiaks ever participated in something like that?”

“John, your predecessor, suggested it once and got no response. He didn’t try again.”

How unfortunate. I’d file the idea away for now. In the meantime, if Jeremy and I did something like that with a few of the other guys and their partners, it would be a great photo op, and it would help the community. A double win.

“Thank you for that. I’m going to look into it. If you have any other ideas, please let me know.”

He nearly skipped out of my office, and that’s when I knew we needed more team bonding. For whatever reason, John had been too busy pleasing Mark to care about his own team, and when the opportunity for a better job came up, he’d bolted, or at least that’s what I’d been told. Good for him. Now I would clean up his mess. If I’d learned anything from the train wreck that was Richardson’s, I wasn’t going to take my staff forgranted.

Before the Kodiaks first road trip of the season, Jeremy and I went out on a coffee date. For me, it was another chance to get to know him, but for him, it was really a first time venturing out on a date since the Orla affair. I could see the tension in his face and the way his chiseled jaw set when we walked inside. Did he expect people to pelt him with stones? I headed for the counter, putting my arm through his, hoping that would put him at ease. I didn’t think people would care that he’d moved on with his life.

“Chai latte for me,” I said. “What do you want?”

“Large black coffee,” he said.

The barista didn’t recognize him, which I think was a relief to him? With our drinks in hand, we sat on some comfy chairs in the corner, but I took the window seat so that no one staring in would see him. The idea today was for the two of us to be seen, for me to post some pics on social media, and then for me to tag him. That was a huge relationship step.

“Have you heard of Mainland Pantry?” I said, pouring some sugar into my tea.

“I think so. A food bank?”

“Yes. I was thinking that you and I would volunteer there. Maybe drag Tangi and Ethan along. Some of your other teammates? Mainland Pantry prefer groups of ten, and since I know no one here, you’d have to recruit. It would show a lot of good PR, and I’m sure we can have Mainland Pantry plug the event. It wouldn’t hurt to also make a donation.”

“Not a bad idea.”

He glanced around every once in a while, his back ramrod straight as if he’d make a mad dash if he had to. I really had to get him to relax.

“Are you expecting someone to say something to you?”

He set his gaze on me, his steely blue eyes trying to readme. I had to admit that he’d grown on me, and he was totally gorgeous if that mattered, which it didn’t. I was having a hard time disliking him anymore. Interesting development. “Is it that obvious? I just don’t want a scene.”

“It won’t happen. People are brave when they don’t have to say and do something to your face. Think of all those keyboard warriors.”

“I suppose.”

“Besides, you could kick their asses.”

He laughed. “Youdohave a sense of humor.”

“We’re getting to know each other, so I’m letting my shield down. Doesn’t mean you get a pass or anything.”

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