Norris just wasn’t warm, friendly, caring, or even flexible.
Times change and staff had to feel as if they didn’t live just to work for you, even if he wished it was so.
The last thing Ethan wanted was a reputation like that.
“Well, I want someone like you. What do you think the chances of that are going to be?”
“Slim to none,” Blair said, her smile filling her face. His assistant looked at her watch. “And we’ve got a meeting. Did you look over what I sent you?”
“I did, it’s great. Thanks. If we can’t find someone soon, you’re going to have to show me all the tricks to these presentations.”
He always thought he was a smart dude, but damned if he could get a presentation looking half as decent as she could and in a fraction of the time.
“Mitchell, if it comes to that, you’ll have to put a candy shop into the building along with a personal trainer so Ethan doesn’t get soft.”
“Not happening,” he said.
Ever since he moved to his new condo two years ago, he was able to walk to work and back. Sometimes he went for his morning run, then swung back to the office, showered here and changed, then walked home after.
The half a mile to his condo from the Seaport District to the edge of the Financial District was the convenience he needed in his life. Not that parking was an issue with it in his building and office complex for senior management, but he got a more relaxing home life to go to now with a much better view.
“I’m going to miss picking on you,” Blair said.
“Remote work,” he said. “You know we’ll make it work.”
She smiled. “And I told you I would until you found someone, but you can’t rely on it or me nonstop. I’m there to help my mother.”
“You said you needed to work part time,” he argued. “Do it with me.”
Blair turned to look at Mitchell. “I told you,” his father said.
“Ethan, if that is what you want and works for you, I’ll consider it, but I need to get situated there and figure out my mother’s needs.”
“I’ll make it work,” he said firmly. He didn’t care the cost. Blair part time was still going to be better than someone new full time.
“You need someone here and we’ll get it sorted. Now let’s go. You don’t want to be late.”
“We’re on our way,” his father said.
“Is there something you needed to talk to me about?” Ethan asked.
“I hope you aren’t putting off hiring someone thinking you can convince Blair to stay. That’s selfish of you when she’s got to be there for her mother.”
“I’m not,” he argued. “It’s all in good fun even though I would love for her to stay on in some capacity. You know how hard it is to find good help and in our positions even harder.”
“All valid points. I’m sure you’ll find someone. Just don’t have too high expectations either. You’ve only had Blair and got spoiled. It took me years to find someone like that.”
He sighed. “I know. About the meeting. You’re good with me taking the lead?”
“Always,” his father said. “Ethan, you’ve got the respect you need from those that are important. Me, Mason, Darin, Norris, we are all in the retirement talks stage.”
He laughed. “No way you’re all going out at once. You never will.”
“No,” his father said. “I’ll never step down completely. I can’t. I’ll be on the board, the same with Mason and Darin when the time comes.”
Mason Rauch was married to Sophia Nadar, who was from Patricia’s side of the family. One of the original five Bonds in the family tree. Twin to Catherine. Sophia and his mother were best of friends on top of it. Mason was family, blood and otherwise, so he’d always have a place with Bond Enterprises. His experience in operations moved him up to the CIO slot many moons ago.
Darin Nadar was CFO and Sophia’s brother and Mason’s brother-in-law; the Bonds liking to keep those roles within family.
