“I like that idea. I’m not sure about adding a place here. I would need to look into costs, but it’s possible.” I tell her, leaving out the fact that I would be looking into doing it in Boston.
“I could do the research on that. It is my job after all, being the money person.”
“Get me the numbers then. I’d love to see them.”
She smiles widely before she looks down at her notes. When she glances up at me nervously, I wonder what her next suggestion is.
“We should review the employee handbook, specifically the dress code.”
I raise my brow. “You don’t like wearing business attire?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No. That should stay. We are a business after all. I do think having a casual day maybe once a month or something would be fun. I know they love when we let them dress up for Halloween.”
“I don’t see an issue with that,” I tell her.
“I think we should allow colored hair,” she blurts out, her eyes on mine.
I fight to hold back my smile.
That’s why she was nervous. A few years ago she really wanted to dye her hair purple. She was going through a phase where she wanted to make a drastic change, and her hair was where she wanted to do it. At the time, I told her no. It was unprofessional to have colored hair in the workplace. She went and chopped all of her hair off instead. I regretted my decision the moment I saw her with the pixie cut. Not that she wasn’t beautiful, but I missed that long, beautiful hair she had.
I refuse to chance that again.
“We need restrictions in place. It still needs to look professional, but I am fine with allowing colored hair. We could ask them to submit an inspiration photo to confirm it would be acceptable.”
Her eyes widen at my easy acceptance. She sucks her lower lip in her mouth.
Fuck, if I don’t want to kiss her right now. Instead, I shove fries in my mouth and nod at her.
“That’s a good idea.” She clears her throat. “I think employees will like showing their individuality more. I also don’t think people are judged based on hair color as much as they have in the past.”
“Agreed. What else do you have?”
As she continues to lay out options for paternity leave and mental health days, I look at her in awe. She surprises me more and more every day.
I wonder, if I make these changes, will she tell our competitor to keep their job offer? Or will she be upset when she finds out the secret I’ve been keeping from her?
Chapter
Nineteen
IRIS
I’m finishingup an email when there is a knock at my office door.
“Come in,” I yell as I hit send.
“Surprise!” Ari and Olivia yell as they step inside.
“What the…” I say completely surprised.
Ari runs to me, and I spin myself in my chair just in time for her to launch herself into my arms. Closing my eyes, I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Gosh, I’ve missed you. Have you grown?” I murmur to Ari, making her giggle.
“Daddy says as long as I eat all my fruits and vegetables, I’ll grow big and strong,” she tells me.
“Well, your daddy is pretty smart.” I look up at my friend. “What are you guys doing here? When did you get in? How long are you staying?”
