Page 53 of All’s Well that Friends Well (Lucky in Love #2)

JULIET

“All right. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.” Luca’s words are resigned but clear, and I nod.

“You want to be very straightforward so there can be no misunderstanding,” I say, looking over his shoulder at the blank email draft.

“But you also don’t want to be scary. So I would suggest starting with how great the office is, how much you love it, blah blah blah.

Then from there transition into—what?” I say, breaking off at the skeptical expression on Luca’s face as he tilts his chin up.

His brows just furrow deeper, the corners of his lips turning down.

“Don’t give me that look,” I say, ignoring the way my heart skips as his gaze travels over my face.

He smells as delicious as ever, too, and it’s very unhelpful to my concentration.

“You don’t need to lie, but you can find positive things to say about these people, even the ones who aren’t performing to standard.

Talk about the friendly environment and the great relationships between the employees.

From there transition into how you hope these qualities can continue.

Basically tell them you really don’t want anyone to lose their jobs, but the branch isn’t meeting its targets.

” I pause, thinking. “If you use the passive voice, your words will feel less confrontational, too.”

Luca shoots me a questioning look now, and I nod.

“Instead of saying You’re not meeting your target sales, say The target sales aren’t being met. See?”

“Oh,” he says, his expression clearing. “I do see.”

I nod again. “Right. Also try to avoid making any criticism sound personal.” When he doesn’t start typing, I point at the screen. “Come on. Write.”

“Do you remember the talk we had about not bossing me around, Miss Marigold?” he mutters as he looks back at the blank email.

“I remember lots of things,” I say innocently. “Like how?—”

“The next thing that comes out of your mouth had better be appropriate for the workplace,” Luca cuts me off in a low growl, his eyes still trained on the computer.

“Like how as your assistant, it’s my job to assist ,” I finish.

He hums skeptically as his fingers click-clack on the keyboard. “I’m sure.”

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it?” I say with a little shrug. “This is me assisting you. In an interpersonal capacity, no less. You should be thanking me.” I lean down to whisper in his ear. “I’ll accept payment in form of?—”

“ Juliet. ”

“In form of pay raises, or full benefits, or an extra treat now and then.”

And although he still doesn’t look at me, Luca’s lips curl into the tiniest smile. “You’re behaving wildly inappropriately today.”

I tilt my head as I look down at him. “And you’re extra strict today.”

“Yeah, well,” he says, finally finishing the email. He pulls his glasses off and scoots the desk chair away from the desk. “I’ve officially reported our relationship to HR, so it matters more now.”

I blink at him, my silliness vanishing. “Did you really?” I breathe.

“Yes.” He cocks one brow at me as he leans back in his chair. “I reported to Susan.”

“But you said we’re just getting to know each other, ” I say. “You said we’re moving forward slowly.”

His broad shoulders jerk into a shrug. “It’s still a personal relationship. So are you going to be good?”

I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips. “I’ll be the best you’ve ever had?—”

“Juliet,” he groans, scrubbing his hand down his face.

“I’ll be good,” I say with a laugh that feels like bubbles in my chest. “I promise. I’ll be so good.” Then I nudge him. “Come on. The email. Write those things, and then inform them about the meeting later.”

Luca grumbles but starts typing, and a few minutes—and suggestions—later, I’m reading the email over his shoulder.

“Dear Sales and Marketing,” I say under my breath.

“ At three this afternoon we’ll be having a meeting in the small conference room at the end of the hall.

I’ve come to appreciate the friendly nature of my employees as well as the positive atmosphere in the office, so we’ll discuss a plan moving forward to make sure those things can continue. ”

I glance at Luca and nod. “This is good.”

He gestures for me to keep reading.

“Currently our sales targets are not being met,” I go on, “despite several months of attempts. As you may know, these numbers are part of why I was brought to this branch in the first place. I would prefer to avoid bringing in new personnel, so I’m excited to brainstorm a solution that will allow us all to maintain our jobs and positions. See you at three, Mr. Slater.”

I straighten up and look down at Luca. “Mr. Slater,” I say with surprise, “I’m impressed. You sound so friendly!”

He grunts, but the corners of his lips twitch. I poke his cheek.

“Smile,” I say. “You know you want to. A beautiful woman just gave you a compliment.”

“I thought I discussed inappropriate touch with the beautiful woman,” Luca says as he tries to maintain a straight face.

“I only vaguely remember that conversation,” I say. “It was very depressing.”

“You can’t pick and choose what to listen to when we’re talking,” Luca reminds me without looking up. He hits Send on the email and then swirls around in his chair, leaning back and folding his arms. He cocks one brow at me. “You’re listening or you’re not listening. There’s no in between.”

I sober at this, because he’s right. He’s completely right. So I clear my throat. “You’re correct, and I seem to have forgotten that fact. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” he says. “Just be good in the workplace.”

My cheeks heat as I nod, trying to convey my sincerity. “I’ll do my best. Please remind me again if you need to. And I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t need to,” I add quickly.

Luca swivels his chair back to the computer, but I see a little smile.

“I’ll remind you,” he says, and then his face returns to its normal workplace expression—faintly grumpy, a little distracted.

“Now back to work. I need you to compile a list of the data for the electric scooters around town. I’d like to know where they’re getting the least and the most use. ”

“I can do that,” I reassure him, nodding again and straightening up.

And he doesn’t look at me even out of the corner of his eye. All he says is “I know you can.” Then he nods to the little laptop I’ve been using. “Get started. I’d like to finish before this afternoon’s meeting.”