Page 43 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
Phew. Holly didn’t react to my slip up. From now on, no mention of kissing was allowed.“We’ll see. I have a feeling you’ll see my side soon enough.” I winked.
We went to the dining room and pushed aside the tables in the middle of the room to create an open space in the center. The booths along the eastern wall of windows stayed clear so we could eat lunch there. Holly also helped me set up a portable projector screen, and I hooked up my laptop with the presentation queued to the first slide.
Aaron, the new assistant manager, waltzed in at the same time the catering company arrived with the taco and nacho bar we’d ordered. We had them set up right next to the bar. The aroma of smoked meat, fresh salsa, and cinnamon and sugar teased my nose, promising a delicious meal. Too bad my appetite was depleted.
What if the staff hated the program I’d used in other restaurants? What if the games were a bust? What if no one cared about making this place an upbeat, positive environment?
Plastering on a fake smile to hide my nerves, I stood next to Holly and Aaron, greeting our employees as they trickled into the dining room from the back entrance.
“Hello, welcome,” I said to Jessica as she walked in. “Have a seat in any of the booths. We’ll get started in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” She went to the back booth, where a few of the other waitstaff sat.
“Skye!” Holly cheerfully welcomed one of our newest employees. “Thanks for coming in so early on your first day. Let me introduce you to the other chefs.”
“Hello, Skye,” I greeted her with a handshake. Her pink headband looked just as cute as the first time I’d met her. “Welcome to The Boardwalk. We’re excited to have you.” I pointed at Aaron. “Before Chef Dewhurst takes you to meet everyone else, I’d like to introduce Aaron Ferguson, the assistant manager.”
They exchanged handshakes. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” Aaron said. “Chef Dewhurst and Rhett have spoken highly of you since you accepted the offer of employment.”
She raised her brows. “I guess I have big shoes to fill, then.”
I looked at Holly and held back a snort. It wouldn’t take much to outdo Josh or Darby. “You’ll do just fine,” I assured her.
Marcus walked in. “Perfect timing,” I said. “Chef Dewhurst was just about to introduce the other staff members to Skye.”
“Come on.” Holly pointed to the side of the room where the other chefs were. I frowned as I noticed the chefs staying clear of the waitstaff. It made sense they’d want to sit by the people they knew the best, but if we were to take a step forward, we needed to mingle. Maybe I should have given everyone a colored dot when they arrived and asked them to sit by the others with their same color like in preschool.
Too late now.
I turned back to Aaron. “I think almost everyone is here. I’m going to have them start eating, then we’ll begin. Are you ready for your portion of the presentation?”
I’d asked Aaron to present the incentives involved in our new program. It gave him a chance to speak with everyone and got them all used to seeing him instead of me as the head of the restaurant. Again, I took the hard part. If anyone had issues with the new review and report card system, I’d happily be the fall guy and take their griping. It gave Aaron and Holly someone to blame for the new initiatives, and when I left, they could continue to use me as a scapegoat.
Surely a few employees wouldn’t be happy after this meeting, but I hoped the majority would welcome the changes I was trying to bring about. The potential to take The Boardwalk to the next step and increase profit was there as long as everyone was on board. I’d yet to fail, and I didn’t plan to now.
I stood by the table where my laptop rested right in front of the fireplace. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for coming in early or—for some of you—on your day off. The point of today’s mandatory meeting is to show our appreciation for all your hard work as well as explain a new initiative for The Boardwalk.”
A few whispered comments rippled across the group.
I held up a hand, asking for the chatter to die down. “Anthony Ivy has tasked The Boardwalk with some lofty goals by the end of the year. I’m confident we’ll get there as long as we come together and make this the best fine dining restaurant in the city.”
At this announcement, nervous glances were shared among the staff.
“We’ll explain in more detail after we eat. For now, grab some food and relax for a bit.” I gestured for them to start getting in line. A few of the busboys hopped up, beelining it for the grub waiting.
Aaron came to my side. We watched the crew as they chatted.
“Think they’ll be happy with the changes?” Aaron asked.
They had to. Otherwise, we’d never meet our goal. I’d kiss my promotion goodbye, and Holly would be out of here. If we weren’t fired before then. “I do. We’re not asking a lot of them.”
“I’m going to go talk with them.”
I nodded. “And that is one of the many reasons why I hired you. You’re a good manager, Aaron.”
He smiled. “Thanks.” He walked to the group of waitstaff midway through the line.
Holly sidled up next to me, her hands clasped behind her back. “My team is already happier with Skye and Marcus.”
