Page 38 of Take My Love
“You’re such a bad liar.” She chuckles, but I ignore her.
Flirting is one thing, but once it turns into touching and suggestive comments, then it’s a work violation.
After I’ve finished, I place all the bars on a curing rack and grab the next mold.
I wrap up for the day a little early since I don’t want to start something new and not be able to finish it. I’m meeting my siblings at our parent’s house for dinner, so I can’t stay late.
With Silas and I carpooling to work, I can’t leave until he’s done. Ian’s supposed to give me his final report on how Silas did this week, so I walk through the barn to find him.
But then I see Emily giving Silas her phone number and telling him to call her later.
“Silas.”
His eyes meet mine behind Emily, but she quickly notices.
“Bye!” She walks away, leaving us alone.
“Are you done?” Silas asks, walking toward me. “I’m just finishin’ up.”
He’s covered in dirt and straw dust, which is exactly why I make him strip down before walking into my house. The firsttime I suggested it, he had no hesitations. But then I regretted it. Now, I walk in before him and don’t look back.
“Yes, but we need to speak in my office. Meet me there when you’ve clocked out.”
I leave without another word and sit behind my desk.
“Hey, I’m done now.” Silas comes in five minutes later, and I motion for him to sit. “Is this my week-trial review?”
The corner of his lip tilts up but there’s uncertainty in his voice.
Standing, I grab the envelope with his check and hand it to him. “We didn’t submit your information for direct deposit yet, so I wrote one out for you. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“Thank—wait, what?”
“Today was your last day,” I confirm, sitting back down.
“Why? I’ve done everythin’ you and Ian have asked. I didn’t fuck up anythin’ and even hand-milked all mornin’ yesterday and today. In fact, I took Ian’s abuse all week, which I know you told him to fuck with me, but I never complained. And I let you put goats on my back while I was in positions I’ve never heard of before. What more do you need from me?”
Swallowing hard, I hate conflict but knew he wouldn’t take the news lightly. “I assume my father went over the company handbook or told you to read it? ’Cause I have one with your signature right here…” I hand him the packet of pages.
“Yes, what about it?”
“Employee relations are prohibited. It creates an uncomfortable workplace and isn’t tolerated. And since you’re the one on probation, I gotta let you go.”
“Who is it you think I’m havin’ relations with?”
“Emily.”
“I haven’t touched her.”
“Not yet, but you’ve made plans to see each other outside of work hours, which will then violate the policy.”
“You don’t hang out with any of your employees outside of work?”
I lick my bottom lip and his gaze lowers to my mouth. “Hangin’ out ain’t havin’ relations with ’em. And unless you’re sayin’ Emily will keep her hands to herself while the two of youhang out, it’s not the same thing. Especially if you had plans to bring her to my house. Employees datin’ is a distraction and makes for an unbalanced team. It’s why we don’t allow it.”
“Were you not the one who told me to get back out there so I could get over my ex? And now you’re gonna fire me for doin’ so?”
“It’s not about that, Silas. Screw all the single women in Willow Branch Mountain for all I care. But not the ones who work here.”
