Page 46 of Tuned To Break
“Smooth talker.”
I dip my head, my lips brushing her ear. “You should see what else I can do with my mouth.”
She shivers, and I know her mind’s gone to places we shouldn’t be thinking about here.
“I need to go change.” She bites her lip, still not moving away.
“Or keep it as is. Let everyone know you’re mine.”
“Jake—”
“I know, I know. Professional boundaries.” I step back reluctantly. “But Stella?”
“Yeah?”
“This is just the beginning. You being my boss doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Something flickers in her eyes—uncertainty, maybe fear. “Everything’s changing so fast. The job, the new people, us… it’s a lot.”
I can hear the worry in her voice, and I want to reassure her. “Change can be good.”
“Can it? What if I can’t handle it? What if I’m not ready for this level of responsibility?”
“Hey.” I take her hands in mine, not caring if more grease gets on her. “You’ve already proven you can handle it. Look at what you’ve accomplished in such a short time.”
“But now there are more people, bigger projects, higher expectations?—”
“And you’ll rise to meet them. You were made for this role. I’ve watched you work—you don’t just manage tasks; you see the bigger picture. You know how it all connects.”
“What if things get complicated between us? What if it affects the team?”
“Then we figure it out. Together.” I squeeze her hands. “I’ll be honest, I’m a little worried about all the changes as well. New people, new dynamics, everything shifting. But you know what I’m not worried about?”
“What?”
“Us. Because whatever else changes, we feel right. You feel right.”
She studies me, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
“The changes are for the better,” she says, almost to herself. “More work means more income for everyone. Better systems mean less stress. New team members mean we can take on bigger projects.”
“Exactly. And with you running operations, I know we’re in good hands.”
She laughs, and it’s a sound I feel right in my chest.
“I really do need to change,” she says.
“I know. But Stella?”
“Yeah?”
“Welcome to your new job, Operations Manager. You’re going to be incredible.”
She walks toward the office, heels clicking on concrete, shoulders set with confidence.
The workshop’s changing. Expanding. Evolving.
And with Stella in charge, it feels like it’s changing for the better.
