Page 7 of Handling the Boss

For some reason, the nickname called to mind a little boy.

Jim rolled his eyes. “They’ve known me since I started working at the factory when I was just out of high school. I was still going by Jimmy then.”

“We taught the kid everything he knows about manufacturing,” Leo added.

“Well you should have taught him how to back up a forklift,” I said, sending my employee a teasing smile.

“What happened?” Lillian asked, sending Jim a concerned look.

“Nothing for you to worry about, Miss Lillian, just a little accident. Nobody got hurt and all they had to do was hammer out the metal and the forklift was as good as new.”

“You had an accident? David’s gonna be pissed,” George piped up. He was definitely the quietest of the bunch.

Jim shrugged. “Accidents happen. I’m just glad nobody got hurt.”

We spent the next hour and a half talking and making our way through two pitchers of beer and an enormous basket of fries. I didn’t drink much as a rule, so I switched to water after my second beer just to make sure I was okay to drive. And to keep myself from doing something stupid, like jumping my employee.

Somehow Jim’s chair seemed to be moving closer and closer to me, although I never saw it happening, until his leg was pressing against mine from hip to ankle. His shoulder bumped me every time he moved his arm, and the heat of his body warmed me until I felt like I should fan myself.

He was different here, maybe because he felt more comfortable with his friends than he did with the new crew in our sector. At the factory, he seemed very serious, intense almost. But with his friends, his entire demeanor was more lighthearted. I’d heard from David Weston and another foreman that Jim had a reputation as a jokester, but while working for me, he’d been nothing but mature. Tonight he joked and teased and seemed almost flirty with me.

I would have thought I was imagining it, but I’d noticed his friends exchanging meaningful glances as they watched us together.

Lillian left first, telling us she needed to get home to her boys. I’d learned that between her and her husband they had six boys, although two of them were away at college. I shuddered thinking about how loud her house must be. I’d lived alone ever since I was in my early twenties, and I loved my peace and quiet.

George left next, leaving just Leo, Jim, and myself. The older man seemed reluctant to leave, and I had the sense that maybe he was lonely. I almost asked if he had someone at home, but I didn’t want to upset him if he didn’t. Finally Leo pushed himself away from the table.

“It was a pleasure meetin’ you Miss Jordan, but I got to get home and feed my cat,” he said. “I hope to see you again some time.”

Leo looked between me and Jim with a look I couldn’t decipher. “I’ll let Jimmy here make sure you get to your car okay.”

“Oh, I’m fine,” I protested. “I’m from Detroit. I can take care of myself.”

“I’m going that way anyway,” Jim said mildly. “Might as well walk together.”

Usually guys who acted protective of the women they knew irritated me, but for some reason with Jim I found it charming.

“Okay then.”

We said goodbye to Leo, who stated he needed to ‘hit the head’ before he drove home and walked outside to the parking lot. There was a large deck on the side of the bar, filled with a group of loud talking smokers, but the lot itself was relatively quiet.

“This is me,” I said, pointing at my ancient Camry.

“Thanks for coming out with us,” Jim said, “You should join us again.”

“I’m sure I will. Your friends are nice.”

I opened the door, sliding into the driver’s side, and turned the key. Instead of turning over, the car just made a loud clicking noise. Frowning, I pulled the key out, reinserted it, then tried to start it again. Another clicking noise.

I jumped as I heard a knock on the window. I’d thought Jim had taken off to his own car, but he was standing there, motioning me to open the door.

“Sounds like your starter is dead,” he said.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“I recognize the sound.”

“Are you sure it’s not my battery?” I asked. “Maybe someone can give me a jump.”