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“We need to finish this—”
“Before the New Year I know.” She started to type something furiously on her laptop. Seeking support, I glanced at Ben, but he just flashed me an amused grin. Employees never talked back or challenged me like this, and he likely enjoyed seeing me sweat.
“I’m making a note,” Charlie finally announced. “I don’t know what the solution is yet, but I’m sure I’ll think of something. There must be some way we can automate some of this workload.”
“Sounds like you’ve got this more than under control,” Ben said to Charlie.
“I think we’llallbe monumental in getting this project over the finish line,” I added. Irritation crept into my tone at his positive attitude toward her.
He chuckled. “Excuse Nathan here. To say he’s always been a bit meticulous would be an understatement.”
She laughed and they shared a knowing look.
Exasperation consumed me. Between Ben’s nonchalant tone and Charlie’s persistent habit of talking over me, my patience had worn thin. This was not the impression of leadership I wanted to convey.
“I’m just committed to delivering excellent work,” I muttered.
“So are we,” said Charlie. “Right, Will?”
“Yes,” Will squeaked, nodding quickly.
I’m not sure how I had ever confused him for the Head of Product. He couldn’t lead a conversation, let alone a team. While Charlie and I had been going back and forth in a verbal game of tug-of-war for the past hour, he had hardly made a sound. While I wasn’t particularly fond of Charlie consistently opposing my ideas, at least she made her thoughts known.
Maybe the awkwardness of our first introduction had influenced her heightened critical demeanor. Hopefully we could move past it, because my primary objective was to ensure a seamless integration and relaunch. Any unnecessary tension would hinder our progress and that was unacceptable.
“I think that’s enough for one day,” said Ben, rising to shake both Will and Charlie’s hands. “Sounds like we have some action items going forward. Charlie will create an updated project plan and she can review it with Nathan.”
I nodded at them curtly. I swear I saw daggers behind Charlie’s eyes despite the smile she gave me.
“That went well,” I muttered once Ben and I were alone.
Ben tipped his head back and laughed. “I’ve never seen someone get under your skin like that. It was perfect.”
“Perfect? Really? Having someone undermine all of my ideas and my authority is perfect?”
He waved me off. “Don’t be dramatic. She’s voicing her opinions. We don’t want employees that just turn over and do everything we tell them.”
“We don’t?”
Ben sighed and eyed me up and down. “I know you think you’re a genius and know everything, but believe it or not, other people actually have good ideas. It wouldn’t hurt you to give up a little control every once in a while.”
I bit my tongue to keep from clapping back. I’m not sure if I would call myself a genius, but I had been working damn hard my entire life to at least come across as one. Valedictorian of my class. A full ride to a top tier institution. Graduated early after starting my own company. My list of accolades went on and on. I had dedicated my life to work. Even now that we sold the company and I could technically take some time off, work still consumed me.
Ben had been pretty vocal about his plans to step down in the next few years to focus on having a family. But what would I even do if I stepped down? Personal relationships didn’t appeal to me. Most of the women I dated in the past referred to me as cold or uncaring. They couldn’t handle that they weren’t my top priority. I had no notable hobbies or interests aside from developing my applications. What else was there to do? A life without work sounded tedious and boring. I would go mad.
“I think Charlie is exactly what we need to make this launch a success. Between the two of you, this will get done the right way. I can feel it. Glad you finally met your match.”
My head jerked up at his comment. “I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, but she’s hardly my match.”
He held up a finger and started rattling off a list. “Match in intelligence, stubbornness, ability to lead a room. Need I go on?”
I rolled my eyes in response and stood, moving for the door.
“Careful or you just might fall in love with her,” Ben teased, rising from the chair and trailing behind me.
I scoffed. “It’s insulting you would insinuate I could be that unprofessional.”
“Relax, I’m just giving you a hard time. Besides, Love Linked has a strict ban on superiors mingling with subordinates.”
