Page 18 of Decoding Emma
It also didn’t help that, during high school, boys were always trying to date me as a way to get closer to my family, their money, their contacts, and influence.Even some of the men I dated over the years were looking to get ahead by using me as a stepping stone.
“Where are you?”
I blinked at Asher’s words.“Sorry.”The apology was automatic.
“Are you okay?”He shifted ever so slightly closer to me.
“Fine.”I really was.It was nice to sit here with Asher, Marcus, and Cassie.How long had it been since I’d gone out with people I worked with?I also reminded myself that if I had any hope of advancement in my career, I needed to be more interactive with people.
Our food was brought, and as we all dug in, I found myself relaxing even more.The second beer might’ve had something to do with it, but more likely, it was the company.
Cassie leaned over.“So have you learned anything about the other departments?”
I shook my head.“HR seems pretty standard.I haven’t talked with the operations group yet.”
“That would be Josh and Dean; they run the department together,” Cassie said.
I tilted my head.“Together?”Was that unusual?Maybe not.I’d seen departments with two department heads, but it was the way Cassie said ‘together’.
“Yes, they’re both nice guys.Miles is HR, but you already met him.”
“Miles has some ideas on what he wants for HR.With us having contractors in the building, he’s trying to keep everything in line,” Asher commented.
“Contractors?Are you talking about the coffee shop?”I loved the little coffee shop next to the café; it made life so much easier.
“The coffee shop and the café,” Asher said.“And you.While John has some control over the café because he bankrolls it, the coffee shop is all Amelia’s.She does rent the space from us, but that’s about it,” Asher said.
Things were starting to make more sense.Even though I’d been at the job for a week, I didn’t venture outside the company campus much.For breaks, I’d grab coffee and a snack at Daily Perks.Lunch usually meant the café if I was hungry.If not, I’d grab a sandwich to go and eat it later in the day.
“John likes to make sure the employees have options while keeping the company secure,” Marcus said.
“It keeps employee turnover low.Contractors are another story,” another male voice commented.
Asher looked up as the table went quiet.“Miles.”Everyone seemed to perk up when he arrived.
“I finally made it.”He snagged a chair from an empty table and pulled it up.“Hi, Emma, everything going good for your first week?”
“Yes.It’s been great.”
“I’m glad.”His blue eyes twinkled.
“Finish up with the problem you were having?”Marcus asked.
Miles frowned.“For the moment.”He shook his head and looked at Asher.“By the way, I’d like to talk to you and Emma about streamlining some of the paperwork for onboarding new employees.I feel like I’m buried in documents.”
“Set up a meeting with us next week,” Asher replied.
The waitress assigned to our table had been attentive without being overbearing.She must’ve seen Miles join our table because she appeared almost instantly.Miles ordered a drink and dinner.“You were talking about the café and Daily Perks, right?”
“Yes,” I chimed in.“I’m wondering how they get paid for what Fantasies, Inc.’s employees buy?I mean everything is on our badges.”The café were contractors, but Daily Perks was more like a tenant.
“Easy,” Miles said.“Payroll gets a report of what is charged on the employee card every day, and they’re paid electronically.”
I sat back in my seat.“Sounds like an ideal situation.”
“It is.”Miles smiled at the waitress as she sat his whiskey down in front of him.“It works for us, and since the services are on the first floor, anyone who comes into the building who isn’t an employee pays them directly.”
“Are we including them in the software?”I asked Asher.
