Page 168 of Blue Collar Babes

BECKETT

Groaning, I roll out of bed and head into my kitchen. I get my coffee machine rolling as I pop a breakfast bowl into the microwave. I can feel in my bones that today is going to be a shit show at work. Running your own business sounds good, but it’s a ton of work and frustration.

Then there’s the new girl…

Madilyn.

Doris seems to think she’s going to be the best fit, but I have my doubts. She seems young, naïve, and too cocky.

But damn, she’s pretty.Real pretty. And I already have this weird pull to her…

Shaking my head, I grab my coffee and head out the door. There’s a new layer of snow on the ground already, and I groan.Winter here can get really nasty. Big snowstorms, high winds; it’s miserable. But when you go out the next day, that sun shining, snow sparkling as you drive… it makes it all worth it.

I pull into the lot and head right into my office. Lights on, heat on, things get moving before the rest of my crew even gets here. When you’re the boss, all things land on you. But unlike office bosses, I get my hands dirty with my guys. I’ll never have them do something I won’t do.

The door opens and I figure the guys are here already. Instead, I’m met with Madilyn in my office door.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, you can.”

She walks into my office and sits in the chair across from me. Her eyes narrow toward me and I just know she’s itching for a fight.

“Did you read my resume?”

“Doris did.”

Madilyn huffs. “Exactly what I thought.”

“Come on. Lay it on me. Scream, yell. Do all that emotional shit you ladies do.”

She laughs and I’m caught off guard. Madilyn smiles as she stands, leaning across the desk.

“Nah, I don’t do that shit. Which is why I’m the best candidate and you know it. Crying gets you nowhere in a man’s world. But you know what does? Standing your ground.” She slams a folder on my desk. “Here’s my resume. I suggest you read it over.”

A slight grin spreads across my face.

This girl has got some fire in her… I like it.

“And if I don’t?”

She shrugs. “Guess you’ll be without an office manager.”

“I could get Doris back.”

“She left for a cruise. One entire month. That’s a long time with no help.”

I groan, knowing she’s right. “Fine. What do you want me to see?”

Madilyn sits back down and takes the paper from me. “Here. Look at my experience. Give me a real shot. Just like every other person who works here. I deserve a real chance.”

Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms and look up at Madilyn. “How about-”

A knock interrupts our conversation, and one of my guys pops his head in my office.

“Yo, Becks. We got an issue down here. Can you come look? Hey Madilyn! Looking nice today.”

I nod as I stand up, walking past Madilyn, who looks at me, then back to Connor.

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