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Heartstopper(31)

By:Lauren Landish




"And that's how I'm going to bring the Franklin division back to  profitability within two quarters," I say. It feels a little strange to  be doing a presentation when most of the board of directors aren't even  in the room. "By shifting focus toward the emerging biotech markets and  out of the old markets, things are going to turn around."

"What about layoffs?" one of the members asks. They don't have the power  they used to have, but they still have advisory and speaking rights in  meetings like this.

"Thanks for asking," I reply. I hit the button on my laser pointer and  continue. "I've spoken with the union     representative for the  non-salaried employees, as well with various senior management. By  limiting new hires and encouraging an accelerated retirement program for  workers who are reaching that age, Franklin will reach appropriate  manpower levels within one fiscal year. We might need to shift some  workers to different departments and trim a little fat, but our losses  should be less than 1% of employees, and even with severance packages,  we'll reach all of our transition goals.

"The fact is, we need a strong workforce at Franklin. While cutting the  workforce with broad-scale layoffs might have the corporate shareholders  happy for the next quarter, we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if  we do. We need to have happy, experienced workers in key positions. We  owe it to the employees who stayed with Franklin through this transition  to make sure we do everything we can to take care of them. If we do  that, they'll work their asses off for us because they'll be working  their asses off for each other."

I can see nods and even a few smiles as I continue, and by the end of my  presentation, I've done what I thought would be the impossible a month  ago-make both sides of the Franklin merger happy with the changes we're  going to make. Corporate is happy that I'm turning around a  non-profitable division, and the Franklin people are happy I'm not going  all slash and burn around here.

There are several more speakers, but I zone them out as I go over my  notes. When it's all over, I'm pulled to the side by Tom Powers as I  walk out of the room.

"Jake," the white-haired man says, clasping a firm hand on my shoulder.  Over the past month, we've had meetings, as he's preparing for his  retirement and the handing over of Franklin to me. "I've never witnessed  such fire and passion."

Falling in love will do that to you, I think to myself. I'm not ashamed  to admit it now. I'm in love with Roxy. I don't think I've ever felt  this way about another human being. "Thank you, Tom. I'll do my best to  fill your shoes."

"I wouldn't worry about that," he says, smiling. "You've done a  phenomenal job with the division since starting here. But I have to say,  I was getting a little bit worried for a second. You stumbled there for  a week, and I had doubts, especially with your . . . other business.  But you've pulled it out remarkably."

I smile, relieved. "Thank you, sir."

He grins. "I'm leaving this place in good hands. Thank you, it's an honor."

He offers his hand, and I shake it. "It's an honor for me as well, sir.  So I guess I'm still invited to your retirement party on Friday?"

Tom laughs, nodding. The party's been Elena's big project this past week  other than helping me with this presentation, and she's even roped  herself an assistant, Hannah. "Of course. Just don't let me see your  back while I've got the knife for my cake."

I laugh and head down the hall back to my office. It's a little after  quitting time, and I feel a slight pang in my chest when I don't see  Roxy, but I understand. She's busy, and she's gone home. No reason for  me to stay either.

I head downstairs and get in my car. It's early, but I figure I can stop  by Club Jasmine on my way home and see how things are going. Nathan's  really enjoyed being hands-on with it, although Andre's doing a great  job as our assistant manager. And of course, Nathan will want to show me  the new numbers after Roxy's most recent performance.         

     



 

I don't even get in the door before Nathan's coming across, grinning ear  to ear. "Yo, man, what did I tell you? The exec called. He wants to see  Roxy's show live."

I stop, a stupid grin on my face. "You serious?"

Nathan nods, laughing. "Hell yeah, man! Looks like we're gonna have a star on our hands."

I shake my head and head toward the bar. "That's amazing. When's he coming?"

"Two weeks from Saturday," Nathan says. "Just think about it, Jake. Roxy  performing at our club, it's so going to raise our status to have our  own in-house pop star. We gotta get her signed to something ASAP. My  God, the money's going to roll in!"

I'm not sure if I like Nathan's idea. I get it, he's thinking about the  business, and he doesn't realize the feelings I'm having for her. If  Roxy gets her big chance, I want her to be free to do what she wants. If  she's content with performing on the weekends, even better. "Two weeks?  That's great, man. We'll have plenty of time to promote it and Roxy  will have time to rehearse. She'll be amazing."

"Hell, she always is. By the way, is everything going okay with Sophie? I  know you were stressing when you two left Saturday night. I still feel  like shit that it happened. John and Andre are already going through the  door staff, making damn sure we don't fuck up like that again."

"She's better. She's still sort of pissed at me, but she's coming around  I think. We're talking some more, and I'm gonna make sure I have some  more one on one time with her."

"Yeah, well, if you need to back off here to do time with her, you do it, okay? I'll keep the Club on lock for you, Jake."

I nod, making up my mind. "You know, I think I might do just that. Email  me the numbers if you want, but I'm gonna skip tonight."





Chapter 22





Roxy





"Jake seemed happy today," Hannah says as I use my hip to bump open the  door of our apartment. I stroll in and kick off my heels, immediately  stretching my toes out to their widest, unsexiest stretch and padding  around in what I call "Hobbit Style."

"That's because we've decided to not hide our relationship," I announce  cheerfully, walking to the kitchen, rooting around for that bottle of  herbal tea I put in the fridge this morning. It always helps before I  start my vocal exercises.

"What?" Hannah says, kicking off her shoes. She must have really put  some oomph into her left leg, because I turn to watch as her heel lands  dangerously close to Mr. Felix, but an instant later, he's safely under  the couch with his tail hanging out under the end. Hannah, however, is  staring at me in shock. "What the fuck?" she asks, placing her hands on  hips. "You have a lot of ‘splainin' to do."

I flip the cap on my tea, taking a deep swig and swirling it around my  mouth before answering. "What? You had to know that I was still seeing  him. After all this time, the number of times I was at the club late,  all that."

Hannah rolls her eyes. "I figured. I just didn't want to argue with you  over it. I hope it doesn't cause a problem at the office."

"Whatever happens, happens. It's not like we're gonna start screwing on  his desk in his office during work hours," I say, though thinking about  it, that would be fucking hot.

"Mmmhmmm," Hannah says, unconvinced. "I notice you added in ‘during work hours'."

"Seriously. I just mean we're not going to deny it if anyone asks. We don't care who sees us."

Hannah gives me a look. "I can smell the hormones from here. You‘d better get a grip on them."

"Look, it's more than just great sex. I really care about him. He's the  first guy in a long time who's made me feel this way. He's more than  just a big wallet with a big dick. I give zero fucks that he's my boss."

She gives me a neutral look. "You don't have to convince me. I have your  back no matter what. I'm just looking out for-" she says before she  suddenly jumps up, looking panicked when her phone buzzes. "Oh, shit!  I've gotta go."

I frown, confused. "Huh?"

Hannah doesn't respond, snatching up her purse and jamming her feet into  the Nikes she keeps next to the front door. She yanks open the door,  and I'm still confused. "Hannah!"

Before I can move, she rushes out of the apartment, slamming the door  behind her. "The fuck was wrong with her?" I mutter in puzzlement. The  way she looked at her phone and rushed off was bizarre. I look over at  Mr. Felix, who's just starting to emerge from under the couch. "You got  any ideas?"         

     



 

He gives me a look. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Face it, Felix, be glad you're a cat because bitches be crazy."

I finish off my tea and rinse out the bottle. I'm just putting it in the  rack when there's a pounding on the door. I wipe my hands off. It must  be Hannah. She must have forgotten something.