Love Therapy (Stanton Falls #2) by Kaci Hart Read Free Book Online

    “What?  Are you all
analyzing me now with your Freudian ideologies?  If so that’s definitely
not what I came in here for.”

 
    “Huh?  No not at
all.”

 
    “Really?”

 
    The sarcasm in his voice
made her laugh.

 
    “Fine, maybe I was a
little bit.  I can’t help it.  I’ve been trained to find the reasons
for the things we do.  In this situation it’s just not normal to see
someone in your position reaching out to their employees like that when they
first start.  You run the company.  You don’t have to meet any of
your employees except your direct subordinates but not only do you require that
you meet them all, but you also buy them a meal.   Just not normal.”

 
    “Whoa.  So is there
really something wrong with my being nice to my employees.”

 
    “No not that at all.
  Companies buy food for employees all the time.  You’re just a
little closer to the process than I would expect.  I mean, popping up at
my office at lunch time personally and asking what I wanted to eat.”

 
    “Ok.  And I presume
that you have already surmised my reasons.  So go ahead counselor.  Tell
me what you’ve figured out about me in these five minutes.”

 
    “We don’t have to do
this Nick.  You already said that’s not why you came here today.”

 
    “Aaah yes, but an
impromptu session isn’t bad.  Besides, I am paying for it and I’m here so
‘help’ me.”

 
    His use of air quotes
when he said help made her feel he was mocking her a bit and whether he really
wanted it or not, he was going to get her opinion on him.  Her
professional opinion, of course.

 
    “Alright, but remember
that you asked.”

 
    “Shoot.”

 
    “Your process of buying
your new employees a meal among regular people is an attempt to make sure that
you are accepted by them.  You are trying to create an initial impression
of a friend or a pal.  I would venture to say that it stems from what is
most likely a compulsive desire for all people to like and accept you.”

 
    “What are you talking
about?”

 
    “Nick, everyone in town
know that you come from a wealthy family and you have probably never really
even known if people accepted you before or if it was just your money.
 Now as the boss, you want people to take you seriously but not too
seriously.  You don’t want them to be afraid of you like some kind of
straight nosed, hard boss so instead you either try to become friends with the
employees you do hire or you simply hire friends to be your employees.”

 
    “I wouldn’t say that.”

 
    “Of course you wouldn’t.
 It takes someone on the outside to see it.  Here, take Aaron for
instance.  Why does he work here?”

 
    “Because he is good at
what he does.”

 
    “Sure but aren’t there
other people that are just as good, right here in town that you could have
hired as well?”

 
    “I’m sure there are but
I knew him at the time.”

 
    Donna looked at Nick for
a few seconds, waiting for him to continue.  

 
    “Fine, you win.  Nick
is my friend but that doesn’t mean anything.  Tons of people hire people
that they can trust to work closest to them.  That’s not abnormal.
 In fact, its smart business to have people that you know work for you
sometimes.”

 
    “Agreed, but even with
that, I remember years ago at the diner.  You guys came in on a regular
basis for lunch.  Not this onetime thing you are offering me.  Again
wanting to please your friend.  You boys came in there at least two or
three times a week.  No offense to Ms. Shirley’s diner but the food there
wasn’t nearly good enough for that.”

 
    “I happened to really
like the food there. Best corned beef on rye in the land.”

 
    “Well I do have to admit
that is a very good sandwich but it was obviously more than that ..”

 
    She caught Nick’s eyes
looking directly at hers when he spoke again.

 
    “To be frank, I can’t
say that I didn’t