Big Pickle: A Secret Boss Romantic Comedy - JJ Knight Page 0,6
He, apparently, is great.
Maybe I should be working for that Pickle.
Still, I guess I have to try.
I flip through the directory in the drawer below the counter until I find Jace Pickle’s personal number. As soon as I see the digits, I frown and turn around the napkin Jason handed me.
They have the same area code. In the era of cell phones, this doesn’t always matter, but it did suggest Jason’s story isn’t as far-fetched as it seemed.
Maybe they grew up together. Maybe his family put him up to it. Shoot. I have a sinking feeling this particular story might be true.
I quickly dial Jace’s number.
Instead of rolling to voicemail, the call connects with a female voice.
“Office of Jace Pickle, can I help you?”
Since when did he have a secretary on his personal line?
“I need to speak with Mr. Pickle. I’m Nova Strong. I work at his deli.”
“Oh, hello, Nova. Jace said to expect your call. Did Jason make it into the deli? We’re hoping you have space for him there.”
Well, shoot. It’s true.
This can’t be some elaborate scheme if I called him. This directory has been here since I got the job.
“Should I talk to Mr. Pickle himself?”
“He’s away at the moment. We don’t think Jason will bother you for very long. He’s not the sort of guy who gets his hands dirty for more than a few days.” Her laugh is like glass tinkling. “Make him do everything all the regular employees do. He’s not to get special treatment.”
That’s promising, at least. “Do I have him fill out all the paperwork? And give him the usual starting hourly wage?”
“You know, I’m not sure about that part. Have him fill out the forms, but before you cut any checks, I’ll get you an answer. Probably he’s going to be happy to work for free. But I’ll make sure.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I set down the phone, feeling aghast.
I have a new employee.
Hot. Smart. Well-dressed.
Able to turn on the charm when necessary.
Stupidly good-looking.
And he has to do what I say. Everything I say.
No special treatment.
He might be wealthy or well educated or well-born.
But now, I’m his boss.
3
Jace
The moment I walk out the door of Austin Pickle, I call my personal assistant, Audra, to tell her I’m forwarding my personal number to her, and to instruct Nova Strong when she calls that, yes, Jason is supposed to start working there tomorrow.
I can give no more information than that before ending the connection and temporarily forwarding my calls to her.
Now I have to wait to see how it goes. Audra is smart and thinks on her feet. She’ll handle everything well.
I relax against the leather seats of the BMW I keep in Austin for my visits. I’m sitting at the far end of a parking lot with a direct view of Austin Pickle. I can’t clearly see inside the deli, but since it’s currently empty, I know any movement is almost certainly Nova.
Nova Strong.
I sure didn’t expect her. Tiny as a mite. Sparkling brown eyes. More personality than a Saturday morning cartoon. And apparently, running the place.
I hadn’t had a plan when I stormed through the door, and I know I annoyed her. And I nearly blew my stack when that employee took money out of the till. Straight out! No receipts, nothing!
And he’s off to buy pickles? From where? Wal-mart? There’s no way they can be up to the Pickle franchise standard.
No wonder my branch is in such a tailspin. No manager. This spitfire hiring whomever she likes. Sourcing product from who knows where.
Thank God for the help wanted sign. It gave me this perfectly terrible but brilliant idea to get inside the operation. Figure out where everything’s gone wrong.
Then I can fire everybody involved.
Including Nova and her cash-pilfering employee.
Something buzzes in my console. It can’t be my phone since my calls and texts are forwarded. God, I hope nobody sends a naughty text to me while Audra’s in control. I don’t have a current flame, but there are plenty of potentials I’ve pursued recently.
Audra’s a professional, but she has a wicked sense of humor. She’ll kid me about it forever.
I open the lid. I have an iPad in there, the small version. It’s the source of the buzz. The number to call it is the one I gave Nova. Has she already contacted me?
But it’s a message from Audra.
Call complete. Jason is a go. You can un-forward your calls. Oh, and Shania sent a lovely picture of her new nipple ring.