Page 8 of One Foggy Christmas
“It was a complete airball, but I did shoot it.”
She laughs again, and I do my best to ignore the beautiful sound.
“Let’s just move on.” I pull my chair out and take a seat. “And I promise to never hit on you again at work. From here on out, I’ll be the epitome of professionalism. The most professional boss you’ve ever had.”
She points over her shoulder with a teasing smile. “Was that a Wiggle Car you were just riding?”
“Okay, not themostprofessional boss you’ve ever had, justasemi-professional boss. And those cars are something fun we do to build team unity and a positive work environment. I promise there’s a method to my madness.”
“I’m not giving you a hard time. I think it looks fun. I can’t wait to play too.”
She would say that.
Actually, I don’t know her at all. My opinions are based on the four hours I watched her Saturday afternoon.
Oh, man. I was in love with this woman forfourhours.
Reggie wasn’t exaggerating.
I was planning the wedding.
The honeymoon.
The three kids.
It was beautiful until it wasn’t.
“So work!” I clap, scooting my chair in. “We’re excited to have you here for the next six months. As you know, you’llprimarily be working with me. I’ll teach you the ins and outs of running a healthcare staffing business and how to scale a company and manage a team.”
Her eyes beam with excitement. “That’s exactly what I’m looking for.”
“In addition, something that’s different with my interns is that, before your time here is up, I ask you to find a weakness within my company or an area where there’s room to grow and develop a plan to elevate it. Oftentimes, I find that the best ideas come from young and eager interns with nothing to lose. It’s like a fresh pair of eyes or an outside perspective.”
“Sheesh.” She tugs at her ear like a nervous tic. “That’s a lot of pressure.”
“Don’t think of it as pressure. Think of it as an opportunity. I’ll never put you or your ideas in a box. So don’t put yourself in one. The sky is the limit.”
She nods as if my words really resonate with her.
“Besides, I wouldn’t have hired you if I didn’t think you have a ton of potential. You just need to be pushed toward it. That’s what I’m here to do during the six months you spend with me. I want to see more of the woman from the interview—the one who believed there was no one better for this internship than her.”
“There isn’t anyone better.” The cockiness behind her smile is wildly attractive.
That’s why I look down, fiddling with a few papers. “Grace will set you up with a desk and some of the accounts we’re dealing with right now.” Feeling more composed, I glance back up at her. “There are a few long-term care facilities that we have our eye on. All of this should be easy stuff for someone who graduated in healthcare administration with a business minor.”
Her mouth stretches into an adorable smile. “You remembered.”
“You had a really impressive resume.”
“Thank you. I’m trying to build my portfolio to take over my dad’s home health and hospice business back in Skaneateles.”
“Is that how you say it? Ski-nee-at-luhs?”
“Yeah, it’s easy if you just think of a skinny atlas.”
“I’ve never been to Central New York or the Finger Lakes.”
“It’s a beautiful area. My parents have a house right on the water.”
