She saw his eyes widen at that, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked back at the photo. “The news doesn’t have this, right?”
“We’ve been able to keep it quiet. For now.” She let the words hang for a moment. The threat wasn’t real—there was no way in hell she’d ever let that happen—but Brett didn’t need to know that. Jenna needed him nervous enough never to pull this kind of shit again. At least not until negotiations were over.
“I believe what Jenna is saying,” Adam said, glancing at her, “is that we’re here to offer you a second chance.”
She watched Brett’s frown deepen, and she wondered if he was thinking about retaking the photo. She couldn’t blame the guy. The lighting was all wrong, and the shadow under his balls made it look like he had a strange growth. Honestly, why had Kendall printed the thing at this size? It was practically a poster, though not one she could imagine hanging above her bed.
“A second chance?” Brett swallowed. “Like—I’m not getting fired?”
Adam cleared his throat. “Here’s the deal, Brett. We need to get through these negotiations fairly, legally, and with all parties bringing their viewpoints and experience to the table. As the president of this organization’s bargaining unit for nursing staff, we need you to be part of this.”
“Preferably with your pants on,” Jenna added, folding her arms over her chest.
Kendall pressed her palms against a thick file on the table in front of her. “We’ve already spoken with Susan Schrader, the intended recipient of your—uh?—”
“Artistic imagery,” Jenna supplied, willing herself not to look at the photo. Or at Adam. Or—Christ, was there any place safe to look?
“Susan does not intend to press charges,” Kendall continued. “Apparently the message, while not solicited, was not rebuffed.”
“Though not using the company’s email system,” Adam clarified.
“Or her stapler,” Jenna said, daring a glance at the photo again. “Though she did feel it was an artistic touch to position it like that.”
They all stared for a moment at the photograph, at the stapler that bore a strategically placed nameplate that read, ‘property of Susan Schrader.’ Jenna tried to imagine the straight-laced nursing manager responding with joy as she opened the message. It was a mental picture she could do without, so she turned her attention back to Brett.
“Do you have any questions for us?” she asked. “Or anything to add?”
“Thank you,” Brett said, nodding at the photo with a sense of pride Jenna thought was sorely misplaced. But it wasn’t her place to say so.
It was her job to make sure this story didn’t get out. To keep a lid on things so the local media didn’t turn this into a circus and distract the organization from helping patients and doing good work in the community. That’s why they were all here, dammit. For the patients. Not for bureaucratic bullshit or climbing corporate ladders or earning money or any of those other things.
At the heart of this, that’s what it all came down to. That’s why she did this job.
She was feeling good about her little pep talk until she glanced at the photo again. Good Lord, had the man never heard of manscaping? At least a little trim here and there, or some general tidying around his?—
“Everything’s under control,” Jenna said calmly. “We’re ensuring the story stays out of the media.”
Brett blinked again, jarred once more by the notion of news outlets seeing his penis. “You said the media doesn’t have this.”
“I’m doing my best to make this go away,” Jenna said. “The potential scandal, not your penis.”
Adam nodded. “Belmont Health System frowns upon castration as a motivational tool. Clinical studies have shown positive reinforcement is a much more effective form of inspiring employee performance.”
He choked a little on the word performance, and Jenna had to look away so she didn’t lose it completely. She stood up, deciding it was time to call a halt to the meeting before things took a turn for the worse.
“Brett, I hope you’re able to use this as a learning tool.”
“A valuable tool, yes,” Adam agreed, getting to his feet as well. Jenna avoided his eyes.
Kendall stood as well, though she looked a little uncertain. She glanced from Jenna to Adam, then back at Brett. “Mr. Lombard, I have some paperwork I’d like you to fill out. This will become a part of your permanent personnel record, which is a confidential document. It will, however, be made available to your supervisor, which could have an impact on your career in the event that you decide to change departments.”
“I understand,” he said, joining the rest of them on their feet. “Is, uh—is the photo going in my file?”
“A detailed account of the incident will be recorded in your file, and we’ll make a note of the fact that you’re treading dangerously close to the company’s policy about fraternization among co-workers,” Kendall replied. “Since you and Ms. Schrader work in different departments, you’re not technically breaking company policy, though the fact that you’re members of the same union and bargaining team complicates the matter.”
“But the photo? What happens to that?”
“The photograph will be destroyed,” Kendall said. “Both the file and the printout.”
