Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
What was she getting herself into?
He wished he could shake some sense into her. Mason wanted much more than a physical relationship with Brandi, but he supposed he would have to settle for what he could get from her. For now. At least he was making some progress.
Mason dreaded going back to the car dealership. When people weren’t kissing his ass trying to get into his good graces, they were cowering in fear when he walked by. One thing he knew for sure, working at the car dealership wasn’t his cup of tea.
As he pulled the Mercedes into his reserved parking space, he took a deep breath before getting out.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Collins.”
Gina smiled at him as he walked into the building. “Good afternoon, Gina. Any messages?’
“One from your ex about a function your son is having at school, and one from the manufacturer,” She handed him two handwritten messages.
“Okay. Thanks. By the way, have you had a chance to start looking at schools?”
“I have! I think I may enroll at Arcadia. It’s so great that you reinstated the tuition reimbursement program.” She paused. “I…I broke up with Peter.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“It was for the best. He wanted to keep me dumb and dependent on him, so I have you to thank for giving me a better opportunity.”
“No. You have yourself to thank. I’m glad you’re taking advantage of the program. Good for you.” He took his messages and headed to his office.
“Mason, can I talk to you for a minute?” Bill Nixon intercepted him just as he walked through the door.
“Sure, what can I do for you?” Mason sat in the big leather seat behind his desk and stared at his sales manager. Bill took the seat opposite of his.
The man looked nervous about something. What little Mason knew about Bill was positive. He seemed very trustworthy and dependable. “Well, spit it out,” Mason said impatiently when Bill didn’t say anything.
“It’s about Dylan.”
Mason frowned. If he remembered correctly, Dylan was one of the salesmen who ran the other way when he saw Mason coming. “What about him?”
“You wanted me to let you know if he didn’t make his quota for the month again.”
“And since you’re here, I’m guessing he didn’t.”
“That’s right, but I have the figures with me. If you take a look at them he’s made a steady improvement. The kid is working really hard.” Bill pointed to some numbers.
“I see the marked improvement, but he didn’t make the quota, right?”
“No, but I’ve told you already that the quota you set is a little on the high side. Dylan isn’t the only one struggling, you know.”
“When someone continually doesn’t make the quota, what happens?”
“You know what I’m getting at. I’m asking you to give the kid a break. I’ve seen his type before. If you give him a chance, he blossoms, becomes more confident, and you get better result, not to mention company loyalty. He tried so hard and he only missed this month’s quota by a very slim margin.”
“It seems to me that action should be taken.”
Bill went white. “The kid needs the job. You know he’s his family’s only means of support.”
“How about listening to what I have to say before you jump to conclusions?”
“All right.” Bill sighed, looking very bleak.
“I think we should lower the quota.”
Bill gave him an astonished look. “What? Are you serious?”
“Of course, I am.”
“But you’ve been adamant about not lowering the quota. I don’t understand.”
“Don’t try and understand, Bill. If I tried to explain it, you wouldn’t believe it.” Mason chuckled at his employee’s stunned expression.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Oh, come on. Tell me the truth, I’ve been an asshole to work for, haven’t I?”
“Well—I don’t think I would use that word exactly.”
“Be honest with me. I promise you won’t get in trouble for speaking your mind.”
Bill hesitated before he finally spoke. “You can be difficult at times.”
“Bill, I apologize for being such a jerk to work for, and I hope I will be able to make things easier for you,” Mason said sincerely. He had a pretty good idea how things had been and he hated to see such low morale whenever he was around.
The sales manager looked surprised. “I think I must be dreaming,” he muttered.
“No, it’s not a dream. Also, we need to start talking about hiring some more help around here and a promotion for you.”
The man looked faint.
Mason hoped he was taking the right steps toward redemption because he didn’t want to go anywhere without winning Brandi back.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Mom, you’re not listening to me”
“What did you say, sweetie?” Brandi looked up from her plate. Her daughter’s lips were pursed.
“I said, I wanted to spend the night with Missy this weekend.”
“Oh, what night?”
“Saturday. Maybe Grandma can take me to her house Saturday morning because her parents will take us to the movies, then we’re going skating.”