“Oreo, I’m going to get you the biggest dog bone money can buy,” I tell her as we wait for the elevator.
She yips twice and plants her butt on the floor.
“Fine. I’ll get you two, but that’s it.”
She grumbles, and for once I’m happy to let her have the last word. I’m saving my energy for Scarlett. After all, this is her victory, too, and she deserves to share in the celebration.
Chapter Thirty-One
Scarlett
Oof. The results of the employee satisfaction survey are terrible. With results like this, it’s a wonder Triada has any employees left.
Good thing the company pays well.
I silence my inner cynic and focus on the data. Analytics can be tedious and several of my classmates have bemoaned the research aspect of the capstone project, but I don’t mind delving into the numbers. I enjoy slicing the data and extrapolating insights that can be used to generate creative solutions.
Which is probably a good thing since even with the Valentine’s social and Oreo improving Nick’s demeanor, I’m going to need more wins to see an improvement in the follow-up survey. I comb through the responses, paying close attention to the comments and making notes of suggestions that could provide quick hits for morale improvement. Hits I can anonymously drop in the digital suggestion box along with my own ideas.
Some of this stuff is easy. More flexible schedules. Improved work-life balance. Better training and development.Be still my heart. But some of the other suggestions, like revisiting the benefits package, will take considerably more time and research.
Baby steps, Scarlett.
Triada is a large company. It’s going to take time to deliver material results. Fortunately, I only need to deliver recommendations for my capstone project.
Of course, recommendations might be easier to come by if I schedule follow-up interviews in the departments with the lowest satisfaction scores. I’m sure Nick won’t mind. He said I could do my thing—as long as I stay out of his head.
I scan my idea list, highlighting those Nick is most likely to approve. Nick, who with every passing day seems to lower his defenses and open his mind to the possibility that his way isn’t the only way to get things done. Nick, who is back from his walk and standing right in front of me.
“Hey.” I hastily close the digital suggestion box and smile up at him. Do I look as guilty as I feel? Probably. Gram always says I wear my guilt like lip gloss, too shiny and too sticky to be ignored.
“I wanted to run something by you.” There’s an undertone of excitement in his voice when he grins down at me in all his sexy glory with windswept hair and a crooked smile that has my blood pressure spiking.
“What’s up?” I ask, doing my best to play it cool as Jonathan sits up straighter, no doubt straining his ears to not miss a word.
“There was a new suggestion in the box that I think has some merit.”
“Yeah?” Curiosity blooms in my chest. When I asked, Miles told me they didn’t review the suggestions last week. Is it possible Nick went through them on his own? It’s the first actual sign of change I’ve seen in the stoic CEO. No, that’s not true. He clearly has a soft spot for Oreo. And he’s shown me a softer side as well, even if it only comes out when it’s just the two of us. “I’m all ears.”
He quirks a brow, and heat creeps up the back of my neck. “What do you think about offering the entire company an extra day of PTO? As a thank-you for all the hard work on the Epos launch.”
My smile broadens. Of course I think it’s a solid idea. It was mine. Not that I can take credit since Nick still doesn’t know I’m the one who’s been stuffing the suggestion box, and this is hardly the time to tell him. The man has enough on his plate with Epos launching next week.
“You should do it. It’s a fantastic idea. And it’ll earn you instant goodwill.”
He snorts. “It certainly can’t hurt my image.”
He’s not giving himself enough credit. In just a few short weeks, he’s made impressive strides in tearing down his walls and becoming less rigid. Oreo’s a testament to that fact. He may not be skipping through his office proclaiming his love for his new four-legged friend, but it’s clear he’s come to care for her in their short time together.
“Trust me, people are always excited about paid time off.” I lean forward, resting my chin on my hand. “If you decide to move forward, you should announce it at the Val social.”
“I like the way you think.” He wiggles his brows. “Which reminds me. During our walk, Oreo and I did a lap around the second floor.”
“And?” Leave it to Nick to keep me in suspense, just when I was starting to think he was giving up a teeny tiny bit of control.
“You were right about the office pet. Several people actually stopped to speak to me, if you can believe it.”
I gasp and clasp my hand to my chest, pretending to clutch my pearls. “You don’t say.”
