In Charge, page 6
After leaving the bakery, they reached the front counter. Both made their way to the exit from there. She’d already locked the back door.
When they left the premises, a chill hit Joanne. She shivered and ignored honking vehicles zooming behind her. Sweetgum differed from Peachwood in that regard. After seven p.m., the streets were clear back home. But Peachwood seemed busier. Although, it might have been the Friday night vibes keeping Peachwooders active at this hour. “Xavier, listen,” she pocketed her keys.
Blaring headlights shone on Xavier while a car rolled from down the street. “I’m listening.” Just their vehicles remained along the sidewalk. His car seemed fancier than she remembered, but Joanne would not make it her focus.
She adjusted her handbag. “You need to be faster when taking orders.” She slid some hair strands behind her ear. The fall breeze just blew them back out of place. Today, her hair went past her shoulders in loose brown coils. “Your line was the slowest this morning, and it really posed an issue. We talked about giving quick service remember? People come in before work. If you stay and chat with them, then they’re going to be late. They just want to pick up and leave.” She didn’t think she’d have to explain this, but Xavier was special.
His brows went up in what she perceived as stun. As for why this surprised him? Joanne didn’t know. “They just want to pick up and leave?” He tilted his head. “Are you sure about that?” The man leaned his tall frame against the closed door. “I think that right now, building a connection with customers is essential. If they didn’t want to talk to me then they wouldn’t,” he shrugged, standing straight again. “But they do. Because they like genuine service that comes with a smile,” he smiled for emphasis.
Joanne waved her hands around with a shaking head. “No, Xavier. All of that will come later. Right now, we need to show that we’re fast, efficient, and tasty. Who wants to stand in line for ten minutes before being served? That’s annoying. Especially on busy mornings.” She rubbed her arms, now thinking of her long drive back. Out of all the hurdles she’d faced opening here in Peachwood, commuting was the worst. She wasn’t sure how economical it was to drive to and from here every day. Just one drive took an hour, and gas wasn’t cheap. Also, traveling so far after dark felt unwise. Especially while exhausted. Boy was Joanne exhausted.
Xavier scratched his beard. “Have you spoken to anyone who was in line to see me?” To her great irritation, he smiled with cheek. The streetlights illuminated his stretching lips.
“No, but would you want to wait ten minutes when you’re late for work and all you want is some good coffee to get you alert?” she walked to her car, sneakers scraping gravel.
Xavier went to his car as well. “Yes. If it meant I’d get a good conversation out of it,” his vehicle made a sound when he pressed the keys. “Trust me, Joanne, if the customers hated my style, they wouldn’t keep coming to me.” He opened the driver’s door and sat. “Have a safe drive home.”
For a while, she glared, but decided not to argue. Her tiredness would not allow her. If he pulled a stunt like that tomorrow, she’d bring it up again. But for now, Joanne would just leave Xavier alone.
While driving down the freeway, she thought of her predicament. Her radio played old country tunes she’d heard growing up. Joanne put on this station to ease her growing headache. With thoughts swirling in clusters around her frazzled brain, she made a decision. I’ll have to rent a place while getting this location off the ground. In terms of Xavier, Joanne would deal with him once she solved her commuting problem.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Working under Joanne brought back old memories. Before Xavier hit it big in the real estate world, he’d taken entry jobs like anyone else. While his role here wasn’t technically entry-level, his participation in small tasks took him back. In high school, he’d worked part-time as a cashier to ‘Shake ‘tha Thing,’ a smoothie shop at the mall. Meeting customers and serving them with a smile would alight something beautiful inside him. Right now was no different. Even with Joanne breathing down his neck!
Two weeks had gone in a flash. Soon, October would end, ushering in November. He usually involved himself in community activities but hardly had energy these days due to work. Whenever he’d get home from a long day, sleep was Xavier’s main desire. To shut his eyes and snuggle with a pillow. He’d been right to put his remote duties on hold. Managing foreign companies after getting home at nine would wither him. He’d missed his golfing club two weeks in a row because of his job. They understood his reason, but the guilt was a monster. At least dodging meetings came with an upside. With his close involvement, Roasted Beans Coffee Spot was doing quite fine.
“Here you go, Mr. Antoine. Thanks for being our number one customer since opening.”
Mr. Antoine gladly accepted his latte. Daylight was dimming, giving them just two hours until closing. “Thank you, Xavier. Your coffees give me life. Ha!” He hobbled to the seat he always took when visiting. Right by the door in a single-person booth.
Xavier threw a towel over his shoulder, watching how contently the old man sipped. Other than Mr. Antoine, there were no other customers. They’d had a good morning, but afternoons and evenings had been slow.
Charline wiped the counter while Xavier stared, thinking as the diligent girl hummed merrily. With business being slow around now, employees occupied themselves either with mundane tasks or useless cellphone applications. Baristas engaged in conversation behind him while the pastry servers typed messages on their phones. He couldn’t see the bakers out here, but Xavier could guess they’d taken their own personal breaks too.
“Charline,” he patted the girl’s arm. “You’ve noticed that Mr. Antoine comes here every day, right?” he whispered. The older man sat at a distance, but Xavier couldn’t risk him overhearing this.
Charline slowed her cleaning. “Of course. He says our coffee is the best he’s had in years,” she said as she tugged her cap bill smartly. “And he’s right about that for sure. Ms. Richards’ recipe is everything.”
“It sure is, but I think we should do something special for him,” Xavier saw it now. “He needs to understand how appreciative we are of his loyalty,” with a turn of his head, Xavier caught the baristas spying. “Get over here, guys. I have an idea.”
Soon, all front desk workers encircled Xavier. He hoped Mr. Antoine would not catch on. Then again, once that old man sat with his drink, the world could burn down, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. “You all know Mr. Antoine, right?”
“He has a shoe shop,” Cletus pointed out. He wore twists beneath his black cap. “And, of course he always orders lattes here.”
Xavier beamed at the mention of lattes. Employees knowing their customers warmed his heart. They’d only just opened, but the staff was alert. “Exactly. I’m thinking that in honor of his loyalty, we should rename our lattes to the ‘Mr. Antoine Special’,” he heard collective remarks of accordance. “I know, right? You guys see that it’d be a great way to show him our appreciation, right?”
“Yes. And other customers will want their own specials too. This will definitely encourage more people to order.” Charline bounced her stout body. Her fellow workers reacted similarly, but with varying degrees of exuberance.
“You’re very right about that, Charline. Very right,” Xavier sent her outside to the specials’ board. “The sooner we rename, the sooner word will get out. Everyone knows Mr. Antoine, so heads will turn once people see his name on our specials’ list,” he felt pleased when Charline left the counter. “Everyone else can head back to work, okay?”
Charline stopped mid-way, facing Xavier. “Wait, Mr. Evans. Shouldn’t we tell Ms. Richards about this?” She held the edge of a table while tilting her head. To this moment, Mr. Antoine hadn’t looked up from his drink.
Xavier spread his hands over the counter. Joanne had told him to watch things while she took a call in her office. Since then, two hours had gone by, and in that time, Xavier had shifted the cups to his preferred arrangement, moved around some pastries, and was now renaming a menu item. He knew she’d at first be angry after realizing these changes, but was sure she’d warm up to them. After seeing that his adjustments improved service, Joanne would surely open up to more. “No. It’s okay. She put me in charge while she’s dealing with some personal matters, so don’t worry about her.” He’d overheard her speaking to landlords. Having Joanne be a resident of his beloved town sounded spectacular. Xavier wouldn’t mind giving a tour. Maybe then she’d realize Peachwood and Sweetgum’s differences.
Charline looked to give his instruction some thought before complying.
“Are you sure she won’t be mad, sir?” asked a concerned barista. She sat beside the coffeemaker on a chair she’d pulled from the break room. “You changed the cups, too. What if she gets mad and… terminates you?” The young girl looked terrified on Xavier’s behalf.
Xavier quickly waved an arm in an unconcerned manner. “Don’t worry about me or Ms. Richards, okay? We’ll be just fine.” He spotted another customer coming through the doors. “Everyone to work. Come on.” This person knew him. With a smile that rivaled pure sunshine, Xavier slid to the register and struck up a conversation.
“I’d like the Antoine special, please.” A cheery young woman was their last morning customer. The morning rush ended within an hour due to improved efficiency from Xavier’s recent changes. Not just the cupping arrangements were adjusted, but also napkin and paper bag locations. He’d spread them over the pastry containment display for better access.
Xavier could not contain his delight at his success. He watched from the bakery’s door as Charline handed Mr. Antoine’s drink to another pleased customer. That little menu tweak really got people talking. Almost everyone they’d served started their order with a question about it. Xavier didn’t man the register this morning, but supervised who did. Joanne still appeared engaged with other issues, so hadn’t come out to assist. What a shame that she hadn’t witnessed all he’d improved. He just knew she’d simmer down after seeing their effectiveness. In the end, they both wanted Roasted Beans Coffee Spot’s success. Joanne might finally realize his good intentions once facing his positive changes head-on.
“All right, guys! Great morning rush. You all did great,” Xavier commended everyone with a round of applause. They clapped for themselves as he went into the bakery, now congratulating their hardworking pastry chefs. Though stunned by its sweltering heat, Xavier remained inside. He insisted on clapping his hands for every employee.
They’d been leaning on counters with frosting-covered aprons, but Xavier’s compliments made them stand tall. A few bowed, but most smiled with soft giggles. “In here could be a sauna,” he remarked, getting laughs. While moving along the white-tiled floor near narrow steel counters, Xavier heard footsteps outside. They came through the back, leading to his and Joanne’s offices.
He ceased motion when Joanne appeared in view, standing in the doorway. Silence fell like a brick. He locked eyes with Joanne, his lost but hers oozing dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction in Xavier. Or possibly in something he did. Definitely something I did, and he knew exactly what.
“Mr. Evans. Follow me to my office,” her loose curls whipped when she turned around. He watched them bounce behind her. Even in that tacky uniform, she managed to intimidate him. Or to at least seem intimidating. Xavier wouldn’t say she was scary. Although he did feel a sense of dread while exiting the bakery. He had his defenses ready, though. Joanne could not deny that business never looked better. He just wished he’d captured the intrigue of each curious customer, all pleasantly surprised by the enhanced menu.
In Joanne’s office, Xavier sat down before her large desk. An unnerving chill crawled down his spine as she took a seat, too. He noticed scattered documents covering her desk; her open laptop left in the mayhem. “Is everything all right, Ms. Richards?”
Joanne’s seat swayed her body slightly. She steadied herself to roll it forward. “No. Everything is not all right,” she used a soft yet stern tone. “Tell me why you renamed our lattes to ‘The Mr. Antoine Special’ without my consent yesterday? And if you don’t mind, could you please explain why—even after I said not to—you went ahead and changed the arrangement of our cups? Not only that, but our napkins and other utensils?” she placed clasped hands before her, brows crinkled in clear annoyance.
Xavier’s stomach sank. Seeing her so obviously angered spurred contradicting reactions from him. On one hand, she did evoke emotions of fright, while on the other, his soul felt exhilarated. An excitement he’d gotten all too familiar with from working alongside her. If only she knew how crazy she drove him. “Mr. Antoine has been our most consistent customer since opening.” He matched her somber attitude. “I just thought it would be nice to show him our appreciation.” A gust of wind put pressure on her windows, sending stray leaves against the glass. “He came in today and was pleasantly surprised. Our other customers loved it too. We handed out eight Antoine specials this morning. They loved—”
“And what happens when word gets around and someone in Sweetgum tries ordering the ‘Antoine’ special? Or someone from Peachwood visits our Sweetgum branch and tries placing that order?” she asked harshly, tilting her head. “Look, you can’t just rename drinks on the menu. I can’t believe I have to say this to someone, but you can’t. And as for all the other things you’ve changed? I’m disappointed. We went over why they need to stay how they are, and yet here you are going directly against what we agreed on,” her voice went up in the end. “Xavier,” she chopped the desk with one hand. “Respect me. Listen to me. Stop doing whatever you please when I am in charge. Do you know how out of place you’re being?”
He gulped. “Ms. Richards, haven’t you heard anything I’ve said?” He smiled shakily. “The special got people talking—and about the cups and napkins? It worked well. It’s not like I’m jeopardizing our efficiency. No,” he waved a hand in denial. “I’m improving it. Today, we worked so much better because of what I changed,” her shaking head told him everything. “Ms. Richards.”
Joanne held out a hand to him. “Listen, if you keep refusing to manage my coffee shop to my satisfaction, I will get rid of you. You’re not indispensable, Mr. Evans. You’re really not. And while I appreciate your passion, you must see why your behavior is unacceptable,” she hit her chest. “I have my way of doing things. I want my Peachwood branch to follow the blueprint which worked at my other branches, okay? And if you really can’t see that working out for you, then the door is right there,” she extended a hand towards it. “Do I make myself clear?”
Never in Xavier’s life had any employer threatened his job. He must have pushed Joanne off the edge. She definitely isn’t playing around with me. He stared deeply into her dark brown eyes. So fierce she was. Strict and steadfast in her beliefs. His pulse went wild like an erratic vehicle driven by a drunkard. “Crystal,” keeping a straight face proved difficult while in her presence. While Xavier had utmost respect for Joanne, he also found her stunning. And quite frankly, he secretly enjoyed riling her up. For a while he'd denied it, but right now, sitting in her rageful presence confirmed everything he'd ignored for several weeks. Xavier was definitely attracted to his boss. Extremely so. “I’ll go change the sign right now.”
“Good,” she crashed her fingers on her laptop keys. “Close the door on your way out.”
When standing outside Joanne’s office, Xavier touched his chest. It vibrated. Joanne Richards, he smiled to himself. If he wasn’t careful, she truly would fire him. Though Joanne couldn’t see it, he knew his input’s worth. An opinionated Peachwood resident’s guidance would do her business good. So, whether she liked it or not, he’d continue assisting. But more subtly. First off, he needed to get back in her good graces; if he had ever been there in the first place.
“I think I know what to do.” He moved slowly to the bakery, rubbing his beard. Joanne wanted a place here, right? He bet if he helped her, she’d feel less angered. He’d sensed her stress levels rising a while ago. It kind of hurt knowing he worsened her condition. He didn’t want her miserable. Not at all.
That settled it. His next project was to find her a rental to settle here in Peachwood. She deserved a break, and he owed her.
CHAPTER NINE
Wednesdays were her only days away from Peachwood.
“I have never met a more insufferable person. Like, oh my goodness! How can someone be that annoying? I say one thing, he does the other, I try something myself; he takes over. It’s like a never-ending cycle of absolute agony with that man. I’m usually way better at hiring, but somehow, I messed up when picking him. Now I have to be there practically every day to make sure he doesn’t screw things up,” Joanne went on and on that lunch hour at a booth with her friends. To make up for staying in Peachwood so often, she paid a visit to her branch on Main Street today. Her friends agreed to meet this afternoon to say goodbye. This catch-up session might be their last for a while. Her plans to relocate while setting up her new café were already in motion. As if by a miracle, Joanne had found a rental just last night.
Courtney sat beside her holding a mug. Earlier, there’d been a heart in her latte, but sipping ruined the art. “Come on Jo. I bet he’s not that bad.” As usual, Joanne had a full house at this hour. She and her friends had scrambled for their seats after coming in. They nearly got stolen by jumpy high schoolers who now sat by a window. Garrulous patrons in neighboring seats and lines competed in volume with their small group. Something about Roasted Beans attracted droves.
“She’s just being dramatic like she always is about work,” Nevaeh reclined across the table. She bit her croissant, chewed, then swallowed. “What’s the worst thing you’ve said that he’s done? Change the name of a drink?”
