“Your books, Mr. Tesano.”
Humphrey looked up, his handsome face illuminated with a welcoming and phony smile for the librarian. Given his choice of reading material, he suspected the very helpful team of women thought he was a doctor in the making or at the very least, husband material. Their attempts at subtle flirtation missed the mark by a mile. The smiling redhead had arrived with his request for medical texts on reproduction. Humphrey stood to help when she lifted the books from the cart she pushed to the table.
“Thank you,” demure laughter flavored the woman’s words. “I’m on my way to lunch, Mr. Tesano, but Miss Weeks can help should you need anything more,” she waved toward a long desk across the vast room.
Humphrey saw a young blonde working among a stack of books piled on the counter. He could make no real assertions about her looks aside from her hair color and slender build. He felt the redhead’s eyes on him and forced another insincere smile. “Thank you,” he said.
The woman beamed while backing away with the cart. Humphrey’s gaze had already returned to the woman across the room.
~6~
The Tesano Corporation’s personnel division boasted a staff of over 50. Leading the group of competent individuals were Chad Bennett and Nathan Wentz. Bennett and Wentz were brought in fresh from business college and hired by Liam Tesano’s team of long-time partner friends.
Beniton Calabrese had taken on the official role as hiring manager when Tesano Textiles’ first factory became fully functional. During their tenure as co-Vice Presidents of the department, Bennett and Wentz had brought waves of enviable talent into the Tesano pool. Their efforts were lauded while attempts to replicate their success were carried out by scores of businesses.
Tesano Corp had one of the highest employee retention rates in the country. Bennett and Wentz were a gregarious duo that reminded Aaron of his uncles, the twins Mica and Tori Tesano.
While their sense of humor was no put on, there was a method to the duo’s madness. Using humor to put a potential candidate at ease, did more for getting a true sense of the person that any employment application. The candidate, once charmed and susceptible, made it easier to retrieve the choice details they may’ve otherwise withheld. Possessing this info, armed the team with all they needed to make the most informed decision thereby bringing aboard the best fit for the Tesano organization.
Bennett and Wentz were already on their feet when Aaron arrived with Gabriel. The brothers were greeted with broad grins and firm handshakes. Aaron knew the men quite well having already spent a great deal of his personal time learning about the department.
“Sit! Sit!” Nathan Wentz patted Aaron’s and Gabriel’s shoulders while waving them toward the row of chairs set before what seemed a yard long desk.
Chad Bennett was built like a linebacker, but carried his bulk with the grace of a stage actor instead of a bull in a China shop. He stopped before Gabriel and favored him with a grin almost as big as his face. “Can we get you anything from the bar, kid?”
“We gonna drink or work here?” Aaron called.
The room exploded with laughter. Bennett put a hand to his chest, the other to the top of a head teeming with mounds of brownish gray curls.
Aaron shook his head, not sure how anyone could resist laughter in the man’s presence.
“You’re killin’ me here, Aaron!” Nathan Wentz faked drying tears from his cheeks. “Sure you want to waste away in personnel and not on a comedy stage?”
“Give the kid a break, Nate,” Chad Bennett waved a hand in submission. “Aaron thanks for being the straight arrow. You always make your father proud. As for me and Nate, we’re glad we’ll be retired by the time you take over.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Aaron’s retort was cool, unfazed yet mildly amused. “First thing I’ll do is get you both to some AA meetings.”
“Come on Gabe, how ‘bout that drink?” Bennett persisted once laughter had eased. “Bar’s open,” he sang.
Gabriel’s radiant blues shifted to the bar that was even longer than the desk he and his brother sat before. He looked to Aaron who only shrugged.
“Thanks Mr. Wentz, Mr. Bennett. I’ll pass.”
The silence following Gabriel’s decision was nearly as deafening as the stream of laughter that had flooded less than a minute earlier. Gabe visibly swallowed as Chad Bennett once again planted himself directly before him. Bennett blocked out everything with his wide frame. Then, he dropped a meaty hand to Gabriel’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Good answer, kid.”
Gabriel drained the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He noticed Aaron failing to stifle his laughter and understanding dawned. “That was a test?”
Wentz was next to clap Gabriel’s shoulder as he moved past. “It’s one of our faves, kid. Nothin’ is a better test of a man’s character than how he reacts when pressured to drink.”
“What if he doesn’t like to drink?”
“Even better!”
Laughter returned, but for a shorter duration.
“So Aaron, you finally ready to play with the big kids?” Bennett teased.
Aaron shrugged. “My dad says it’s okay.”
The men laughed yet again and then Wentz gave a resounding clap. His long face beamed with an approving regard and a sobering mood fell into place.
“I meant what I said about your father being proud, Aaron. You’re a fine young man.” Wentz looked to Gabriel. “You couldn’t have picked a better brother to learn from.”
Aaron accepted the accolades with easy grace. “You guys are making me nervous with all this mushy stuff.”
Bennett and Wentz drew closer to the desk. “Have you thought about what you want to sink your teeth into first?”
“Where’s the most need?” Aaron queried.
“How are you with grievances?” Wentz countered.
Aaron seemed taken aback and hesitated to respond.
“We have complaints?” Gabriel asked, disbelief clinging to his question.
Wentz’s expression was grim, his pale green stare fixed on Aaron. “That’s correct, son.”
