Page 26 of Tuned To Break
“And yesterday,” Asher says with a knowing smirk that makes my stomach clench, “when I left at six, you were both still there. Together. Alone.”
My stomach tightens with something that might be panic. Do they know something happened? Can they tell just by looking at me that I crossed a line I can’t uncross?
“Look,” Arden says, his tone becoming more serious as he sets down his spatula and gives me his full attention. “I need to say something about this.”
Here we go. I’m about to get the lecture about not shitting where I eat, about keeping my hands off the employees, about professional boundaries and workplace harassment policies.
“Don’t fuck this up, Jake. Stella is the best thing that’s happened to that workshop in years. In one week, she’s accomplished more than the last three office managers combined. The clients are happy, the books are getting sorted, and for the first time in months, I’m not getting daily crisis calls from Chase about disasters that need my immediate attention.”
“That’s absolutely true,” Chase nods emphatically. “She’s fucking brilliant. The woman has turned chaos into order, and she’s done it while making everyone feel valued and respected. It’s like watching magic happen.”
I can hear the genuine admiration in his voice, and it makes something warm spread through my chest. They see what I seein her—the intelligence, the competence, her workmanship and customer service.
She’s a godsend.
“So whatever’s going on between you two,” Arden continues, “don’t let your dick ruin a good thing. We need her, and I’m hoping to convince her to come on full-time once she sees how much we can accomplish together.”
The words hit me like a cold splash of water. The implication is clear.
Stella’s value to the business outweighs whatever personal desires I might have. And he’s right. She is brilliant, and she does deserve better than some mechanic who can’t keep his hands to himself.
“I’m not going to?—”
“Actually,” Ella’s voice cuts through the conversation as she emerges from the house carrying a tray of salads, her timing impeccable as always, “if there is something developing between you two, it doesn’t have to be a complication.”
We all turn to look at her, and I’m struck again by how perfectly she fits into our group despite coming from a completely different world. Ella’s got this way of cutting straight to the heart of things that makes her perfect for Arden—she sees past the surface to the real issues underneath.
“What do you mean?” I ask, her perspective piquing my curiosity and giving me a bit of hope that’s hanging in the balance.
“Workplace romances aren’t inherently problematic,” she says, approaching and setting the tray down on the outdoor table. “As long as both parties are professional, and it doesn’t interfere with work performance. Some of the most successful couples I know met at work.”
“Plus,” Yasmin adds, joining us with a pitcher of margaritas, her expression thoughtful, “from what Chase has told me aboutStella, she doesn’t seem like the type to let a relationship affect her professional standards. The woman sounds like she has her priorities straight.”
The comment makes me think about Stella’s fierce professionalism, the way she’s established herself as an authority figure in our male-dominated environment.
“Are you kidding?” José laughs. “That woman would probably boss Jake around even more if they were shagging. She’s not going to take any shit from him just because he’s good with his hands.”
The comment hits closer to home than I’d like to admit, sending heat shooting through me at exactly how much Stella seems to enjoy me being good with my hands.
“She’s definitely invested in seeing Doc’s succeed,” Chase agrees, his voice carrying genuine respect. “You should see her going through those books. She’s a woman on a mission, but in the best possible way.”
“In a good way,” Asher clarifies quickly. “She actually gives a shit about the business, not just collecting a pay cheque. You can see it in everything she does. She cares about the quality of our work, the reputation we’re building.”
Rhys, who’s been quietly listening to the conversation while nursing his beer, speaks up for the first time. “Sounds like the kind of woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.”
“That’s definitely Stella,” Chase says with a nod. “Direct and honest, doesn’t play games. It’s refreshing.”
“So what’s the problem then?” Ella asks, looking directly at me with those sharp eyes that seem to see everything. “If you’re both attracted to each other, she’s good at her job, and you’re good at yours, then where’s the conflict?”
“It’s complicated,” I tell her.
“Only if you make it complicated,” Arden says. There’s wisdom in his voice, the kind that comes from experience and watching other people make the same mistakes repeatedly.
“Look, mate,” Chase leans forward with the earnest expression he gets when he’s trying to make an important point. “I’ve known you for two years. I’ve seen you with women before, and I’ve never seen you this wound up about anyone. And from what I can tell, she’s just as affected by you.”
Once again, true. I have never felt this way about anyone. This combination of desire and tenderness. This need to protect and possess at the same time. It might not seem like it, but it’s more with Stella. I want more. I want to know all there is to know.
“She makes coffee for everyone, but she always fixes yours up without asking like she does the rest of us. Two sugars, splash of milk, extra shot when you look tired.”
