Page 5 of Decoding Emma
“That’s just this building.We own the two buildings across the street as well.”The doors opened, and when I tapped Emma’s shoulder, she jumped.I took a half step away to give her some space.Did I startle her?Or was it something else?I needed to be more careful.The last thing I wanted was for her to be uneasy.
“This way.”
This part of the office was pretty much an open air set-up.Most of the people here liked it that way.It was easier for them to collaborate.
I gestured to the right and down to the end of the hall.“This is where we’ll be working.”I scanned my badge and opened the door.
She took a step inside and stopped.“Oh goodness.”
My lips twitched.I had this office space especially configured for the two of us with three long tables each with three large monitors and a docking station for laptops, and a large conference table to the side.
In the corner opposite the work area, there were a couple of sofas, tables, each with four chairs, and a small fridge and microwave.I wanted us to be as comfortable as possible.
“The servers and routers are in the next room.We’re completely wireless, by the way.”
She looked like she’d found some kind of hidden treasure.“So much room.I was expecting a small office.Will there be more people in the room?”
“Not usually.I like to spread out when I’m working, and because parts of this project will require modifying code, it’ll be nice to have more than one screen to work on, and sometimes, two or three computers are required if we have to run complex debuggers.”
“True.”She moved farther into the room.
“Let’s sit down, and we can discuss how we want to work together.”
I gestured to the round conference table.
She moved to a chair and sat, placing her backpack next to her on the floor.I took the seat across from her so I could see her face.Her gaze darted around the room, everywhere but at me.
“Let’s start with working hours.”
“Don’t tell me you keep normal hours?”There was humor in her voice.
“Most of the time.”I kept my gaze on her face.“My usual working hours are seven to four-thirty most days.Will that work for you?”
Finally, her gaze met mine, her expression serious.“I guess.”
“Guess?”
She shrugged.“I don’t really have set hours at Tri-O Tech.Sometimes, I work during the day; other times, I work into the night and start late the next day.It depends on the project.”
“I see.”I understood.Sometimes, I’d stay late, but not a lot.“It’s important to have firm working hours.The company prefers it that way.”
Another shrug.“I can work with those hours.”
I nodded.“Your keycard has twenty-four-seven access, but you should be aware that HR gets a weekly report.If it’s shown you’re in the building more than nine hours a day, they’ll want an explanation.”
“How would they…oh, the elevators?”
“Yes, and for security reasons.That’s why you need to scan.”
“As you know, the café on the first floor has a seating area if you want to sit there to eat.It’s open nine until three.The coffee shop is open six to six.And the other card is the way you get your food.”
“Miles said that.I’ve never had a company pay for food.”
I grinned.“John Boyd, our president, feels employees work better when they don’t have to worry about paying for food and drinks.It’s a perk a lot of us like.”I put my hand on the table.“That’s not to say staff don’t visit local restaurants as well.”
Emma nodded, her gaze apparently focused on my hand.The urge to reach out, to touch her, startled me.I was reacting to Emma in a way that surprised me.Right now, I wanted to make her comfortable with me.We had a job to do, first and foremost.
“I mentioned the second floor is the employee lounge area.
