A quick glance down tells me my athletic shorts aren’t doing a great job of hiding anything, and my sweat-soaked shirt is clinging to my body.
I stand frozen as she turns around and heads back inside the house.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
As soon as her front door closes, I look at my watch and realize I need to race back home so I can send Ainsley her tasks for the day. I’ll deal with my poor decisions later.
I make it back to my house with just enough time to spare to send Ainsley an email fifteen minutes before she starts working.
This day has been so hectic. I should have known it was going to be a shitshow when it started with telling Ainsley I was Dean, but I didn’t realize that would set the tone for my entire day.
Two of my bigger jobs right now had major setbacks, and I had to explain the added timelines to the owners. Let’s just say, both owners were not very happy with the added time on the project, but when a very specific plant they requested had to be special-ordered, we’re at the mercy of the supplier.
The group text with all my siblings has been blowing up too, but I haven’t even had time to check it. It’s six at night, and I’m just now pulling into my garage. I’m starving, irritated, and just want to take a shower and crash into bed. Unfortunately, I need to check my emails and eat before I call it a day.
I love my job and my company, but some days, it takes its toll. When I started, I didn’t have intentions of growing past our town and the few surrounding ones. I thought it would be enough for me. But as I’vegotten older, my goals have changed. The nursery is already getting some regional attention, but I only started it to make it easier for me to supply the landscaping business. My goal now is to grow my business regionally too. I believe we’re the best and, selfishly, I want to be recognized for that.
Tossing a frozen pizza in the oven, I plop down on the couch to open my laptop.
I stare at my email, confused. There are only a handful and all of them are potential new clients. My messaging system pops up in the corner, and I see a notification from Ainsley.
Ainsley Mathews:
Finished up all the tasks for today. I took it upon myself to go through your emails a little more and answer questions that got sent to you if I could. I managed to get your email down to only new inquiries. If that isn’t okay, let me know and I’ll go back to marking things that need your attention as urgent. I also played around with a couple of new ads. I added them to the drive, so take a look when you have time.
I was not expecting her to go above and beyond, and take it upon herself to make some actual changes to my damn near-nonexistent system. I can already feel the stress lifting off of my shoulders. To come home and not have close to a hundred emails to go through every single day is a game-changer. I turn my focus back onto her message and realize she’s still logged in.
Ledger Hutton:
Are you still working?
Ainsley Mathews:
I’m just finishing up a little organization on the drive, then I’m calling it a night.
Ainsley Mathews:
Did I overstep by tackling your email?
I shake my head. My bluntness is making her think she did something wrong.
Ledger Hutton:
You didn’t overstep. I think I’m more in shock that you managed to get my emails down so low.
Ainsley Mathews:
Most of the emails you get are people asking pretty straight-forward questions on their landscaping projects or about the nursery. It wasn’t too complicated to answer them for you so you could focus on new clients.
Ledger Hutton:
Well, I appreciate it more than I can say. It was a pleasant surprise to come home and not have a million emails to go through.
Ainsley Mathews:
Perfect. Well, I’ll keep that system going then.
Ledger Hutton:
