Page 33 of Tuned To Break
I nearly choke on my cupcake. “One hundred thousand?”
“Plus bonuses based on performance targets. If you can get this place running at full efficiency and help us expand like I want to, that number could go significantly higher.”
My mind is reeling. One hundred thousand dollars is more than double what I would make in a year combining both my current jobs.
“That’s... that’s a very generous offer.”
“It’s what you’re worth. And frankly, it’s what this business needs. I want to bring in more staff, take on bigger projects,maybe even expand to a second location eventually. But I can’t do any of that without someone I trust running the day-to-day operations.”
“What about the team? How would they feel about me being promoted so quickly?”
“The team respects results. And you’ve already shown them you can deliver.” He pauses. “Plus, I get the feeling they’re starting to see you as part of the family.”
Something in his tone makes me look at him more carefully. “Is there something else?”
“Just that I want you to know there are no policies here about personal relationships between staff members. I mean, I work with my wife every day in my other businesses. If it doesn’t interfere with work performance, I couldn’t care less what consenting adults do in their spare time.”
Heat floods my cheeks. Does he know about Jake and me? Is it that obvious?
“I’m not sure what you’re implying?—”
“I’m not implying anything,” he says with a slight smile. “Just making sure you understand that this is a progressive workplace. We care about results, not personal lives.”
“I see.”
“I’m also bringing in some additional help. Rhys will be starting part-time next week to handle automotive electrical work. He’s studying law full-time, so he can’t commit to more hours, but he’s brilliant with car electronics.”
“That’s good. We could use the extra hands.”
“I’m also actively looking for more mechanics and another admin person to work under you. The goal is to double our capacity within the next six months.”
The scope of what he’s proposing is staggering. It’s everything I’ve been working toward without even realising it.
“I don’t need an answer right now,” Arden continues. “But I’d like you to think about it. Talk it over with family, friends, whoever you trust. But Stella? Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of. You’ve got something special.”
After he leaves, I sit in my office staring at the cupcake Jake brought me, my mind spinning.
One hundred thousand dollars.
Operations manager.
The chance to build something real.
There are no policies here about personal relationships between staff members.
And Jake’s words echoing in my head: “Kiss you until you forget why you’re angry.”
Maybe Megan and Emily are right. Maybe I am overthinking everything.
Maybe it’s time to stop being so damn professional and start being honest about what I want.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JAKE
It’s past midnight, and I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling.
The images from this afternoon barrel through me—the way Stella looked when she was pissed at José, all fire and authority. The way she bit into that cupcake, lips wrapping around the frosting. The way her cheeks flushed when I told her she was sexy as hell when she was angry.
