Page 4 of Resisting the Temptation
While I admire the boldness, it still makes me want to roll my eyes.
I’m sure the barista at the register is watching for my reaction, but luckily for me, I’ve learned to school my emotions. I make sure my face gives no indication I’ve seen her number, and I don’t glance back when I walk out of the coffee shop and get into my truck.
A truck in San Diego isn’t the most economically conscious, but when you have to drive out to unpaved job sites or haul equipment, a hybrid isn’t going to cut it.
I drive the few miles to the office and park at the back of the building but take a minute to prepare myself for the meeting with my dad before I get out.
I love my dad, and I love that he’s still a big part of this business he created, but he’s known for making spur of the moment decisions sometimes. If he’s calling me in for a one-on-one meeting on a Wednesday morning, it means something big is happening, and he wants me to be warned.
I take the concrete stairs two at a time to the second floor, passing by empty offices, which will soon be filled with our employees.
Every office—except my dad’s—is made of glass that can be switched from clear to opaque, so I knock on his door frame beforeentering.
“Ah, Beniamino, vieni a sederti, figlio mio.”Come sit, my son.
“Ciao, Papà. What did you want to talk to me about?”
Lorenzo Rossi is a third generation Italian American, all dark hair, tan skin, and thick eyebrows. Even though he grew up in America, he still prefers to speak Italian and has the faintest accent. Mamá is from Puerto Rico, so I learned Spanish as well as Italian and English growing up.
As I look at Papà, I realize he’s getting older. His skin has more wrinkles, and there’s more gray sprinkled in his black hair. He’s worked hard to build this company from the ground up, and I’m trying to get him to train me to take over so he can retire in the next few years. He deserves to rest.“As you know, we are starting to take on more projects, and it means we need to hire another project manager,” he says slowly, switching to English like he does when it’s business related.
“Yes, that’s why we’ve been conducting interviews. Should I call the Jackson guy back? He was a good candidate.”
Dad waves me off. “No, no, no. No need to worry about calling him. I already hired someone.”
My jaw tenses as frustration bubbles in my stomach. I hate when he makes big decisions without asking me. No, it’s notmycompany, but it affects me. I’m about to ask for details, but he beats me to the punch.
“Joshua called and said his assistant, Emma, has just finished her degree in Construction Management and is a very hard worker. I had a lovely phone call with her yesterday. She’s enthusiastic about the job and eager to get into project management. She starts two weeks fromMonday. I want you to take her under your wing,Beniamino. Show her the ropes, teach her what she doesn’t know.”
“Josh calledyou?Why wouldn’t he ask me?” I ask through gritted teeth. Josh and I have been best friends for years. It stings a little that he would go over my head with this.
My dad arches one bushy eyebrow and scoffs, “He knew you would say no without even hearing him out.”
Well, he’s not wrong. Emma clearly has no experience in the role she’s been hired for, and while she might be a great assistant at Kirkham Creative, I don’t know how her current job would translate to this one. Sometimes it feels like I’m the only rational thinker in my family. Papà has business sense, yes, but he likes to lead with his heart.
“I don’t like that I’ve never met the person you’ve hired,Papà. You should have consulted me before hiring an inexperienced, freshly graduated candidate.”
“Well,Beniamino, I’m still the CEO of this company. I don’t have to run this by you when I think it’s the best decision. Give the girl one month. If you still don’t feel like she’s the best fit for the role, then we will let her go. But you have to promise me you’ll give her a fair chance.” He cocks his head to the side. “She’s worked for Joshua for four years, and you’ve never met her?”
“No. I’ve only ever been to Josh’s office after business hours, and she hasn’t attended any events where we might have run into each other. Haveyoumet her?”
Papà hums, ignoring my question. A phone call doesn’t count as a meeting, in my opinion. “Promise me you will give her a chance.”
“I’ll give her a chance.” Begrudgingly, and I have low hopes, but I’ll give her a chance anyway.
We talk about regular business for the next half hour, then I leave his office while he takes a call with one of our wood suppliers.
As soon as I’m in my own office, I close the door and dial Josh’s number.
“Benny! How the hell are you, man?” Josh says happily.
“What the fuck, Kirkham?”
Josh lets out a long, defeated sigh. “I’m guessing Enzo told you about Emma coming to work for Rossi? I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you, but I know you, man. I knew you’d say no before I could even get my spiel out.”
“Why are you trying to get rid of Emma? I thought she was the ‘best assistant.’”
“Sheis.Daniel and I are extremely sad to see her go, but she can’t grow here. She worked her ass off in school and deserves the opportunity to grow in a career sheactuallywants. Emma is hella smart, dude. Quick learner, super friendly. She’ll be an asset to Rossi, just like she’s been an asset at KC.”
