“You should have led with business. Come back later.”
I hate disagreeing with her since it’s never happened, but she’s severely overstepping. Her attitude is out of line.
“There are some important developments we need to discuss.”
I cut her off because I need her to leave before I lose my temper. “If it was so important, you would have called or emailed me. At the very least, you would have told me the moment I arrived. You, and whatever it is, can wait. Come back in twenty minutes with a better attitude or make an appointment since you so aptly pointed out that you run my schedule. Out, now!”
I give her the last command with enough force to cause some of the employees near my office to look up. Allie quickly pivots on her heels and storms out of my office. I close my door behind her and scowl at Heaven.
“I didn’t do anything, big man.” Heaven’s mock scowl makes me laugh.
I release a deep breath as I sink in the chair across from her.
“Is it wrong that the ‘Big Bad Boss’ thing you just did make me hot?” she questions before taking a sip of orange juice. “Especially that last little growl.Rawr.”
Normally, Heaven’s teasing would have resulted in a quickie, but I’m still fuming from my encounter with Allie. This discontent is so not like us and our usual work relationship.
“Was I being too harsh?” I ask as I cut my omelet.
Heaven looks at me thoughtfully. “Depends. Are you always late without any warning?”
“Nope. I’m usually early. It’s only been a few times in the last five years of her being my assistant that I’ve let time get away from me.”
“Do you usually call if you’re late?
“Nope. She calls me if it’s important. I have a question. I don’t want to sound like an ass but can hormones do that?”
Heaven giggled at my question. “Anything is possible, but they would have to be raging hormones. In fact, if her issue is hormonal it’s probably more of the needs-to-get-laid variety.”
I wince. Allie getting laid is not a disgusting topic, but I don’t want to discuss it any more than a big brother trying to imagine his little sister getting some.
“I don’t want to think about Allie’s personal life in that capacity.”
“On what level does it bother you?”
I squint as I think about the question. “It bothers me on the level of not my business, nor do I want it to be my business. You know, like when you hear about someone you don’t consider being a sexual being having sex…”
“Ah, like a relative?”
I tap my nose. “That’s it.”
“How long has she been like this? She didn’t seem this mean when you were in Hawaii.”
I consider a timeline. “Everything was fine until yesterday.”
“Morning?”
“Eh…No, I noticed toward the end of the day? Think she got a call during lunch or something?”
Heaven studies me silently while she eats. “I have a theory, but I need some time to research before I give you a solid recommendation. Until I do, just ignore the small things and only correct her if she does something big.”
“In other words, go easy on her?”
“If you weren’t mad at her and felt something was bothering her, how would you handle it?”
“Give her a little time off to fix her issues.”
“Try that, but make sure she understands that you are not sending her home because you’re mad at her. Let her know you are genuinely concerned about her sudden shift in mood and worry that she’s working too much. That should do it.”
