Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) by Teresa Michaels Page A

probably help.
    The girls and I part ways after breakfast, Kyra to go veg out at her place, and Summer to spend the rest of her weekend with Brad. I need to find something to occupy my time ASAP to stop myself form obsession over my morning encounter with Lucas. When he’s around it’s like I’m having an out of body experience. I don’t know what to make of it. You’d think I’d be tired from a late night of drinking and early morning yoga.
    No such luck.
    I take a deep breath and give myself a pep talk as I walk home. So he knows I have a few unused vibrators and that I haven’t gotten any in a while. Who cares? That could describe half the women in America. And so what if I called him a prick? It’s not a lie or even an exaggeration. He IS a prick. A hot prick, who as my friends so kindly reminded me, has enormous hands. Hands that have touched my thigh and face. Both times eliciting a response from me that took me by surprise and that I’d willingly accept again.
    Checking my watch, I note I have two hours to burn until my parents will be at the restaurant preparing to open. With everything going on at work I haven’t had an opportunity to talk to my mom and I’m excited to update her on the program I’ve spearheaded at work. Until then, I need to do something to block out the embarrassing memory of my morning.
    The only way I’ll be able to turn my mind off is to exhaust myself. I grab my ear buds from my apartment and find a distracting play-list, determined to run until I drop.
    Five miles later I’m drenched in sweat and worn out. Mission accomplished. Too tired to climb the stairs, I take the elevator the few floors and nearly crawl to the apartment. I guzzle a bottled water and wait for shower to get slightly above freezing. When I’m done, I quickly change and grab an Uber to the North End.
     
     
    DiVergilio’s opened over sixty years ago, serving fine Italian cuisine in Boston’s North End, widely known as Little Italy to the locals. My first memories took place here and a good portion of them are documented in photos on the back wall; it’s like a second home.
    The aroma that billows from the kitchen is among the most comforting smells. My stomach growls as I push my way through the swinging doors and make my way to the office. The back of my mother hunched over a chair, rubbing her head fills me with sorrow. She works too hard, both here and at home. I’m so worried she’s going to get sick again, which is exactly why I’m here.
    “Hey, Mom. I’m glad I found you back here. Can you take a break?”
    She immediately straightens, forcing a gentle smile when we come face to face. It crosses my mind to ask if she’s okay, but it’s pointless. She’s not okay and she’d never admit to being anything less than fine.
    “Gabby!” she beams. Grabbing me by the face she kisses both cheeks before wrapping her fragile arms around me. “You aren’t supposed to work tonight.”
    “You telling me I need an excuse to be with my family?” I tease. Mom rolls her eyes. “Fine, I didn’t have any plans and had good news to share.”
    At this she perks up.
    “A promotion? New boyfriend? What!”
    “Sorry to disappoint you but this isn’t about a boy. Remember a few months back when I told you about the Elder Care Program I was hoping to implement?” My mother nods. “It’s been really well received. Jack’s going to bring it to the board for approval at the next meeting.”
    She tilts her head and processes this. “What are you saying, Gabby?”
    “That if everything goes through I can get grandma into the Alzheimer’s program at Recollections for a discounted rate, even though I’m not the one that provides herday-to-day care. The director of the facility called me the other day because they are on the list of places we’re partnering with and they actually have an opening.”
    “Gabby,” she lets out all the air in her lungs. “Darling, I don’t know what to say.”
    I step