them.
Maybe it was talking about her college crush on Sam that had prompted such a powerful surge of lust, just an aftershock of something that once was. She shook her head in mystification, because it sure felt like more than an aftershock.
Damn it.
Why couldn’t anything be easy?
She looked at Elvis, who sighed and laid his chin on her foot in solidarity. “Did you see what I saw?” Elvis merely blinked back. “You’re lucky you’re just a dog.” She shrugged. “Apparently, I am, too.”
*
Serenity Day Spa was kind of like a little slice of heaven on Earth. Samantha hadn’t been excited about accompanying Mallory on the client visit, mainly because she hated to be the bearer of bad news, and the bottom line was that Serenity was going to have to cough up more cash if they wanted Savvy to be able to work for them effectively. Plus, she preferred to work behind the scenes and let Mallory handle the schmoozing.
“Look at this place,” Mallory whispered. “Didn’t I tell you?”
“I think the Dalai Lama might live here,” Sam whispered back. “The girl version, though. Probably wears a bow.” It was part of Serenity’s platform, in fact, a spa for women only. And from everyone she’d seen entering and exiting the place, beautiful women only.
They were standing in what Samantha could only imagine was the lobby, but it was like no lobby she’d ever seen. The lighting was dim and the main wall held a rather realistic portrayal of a beachfront. Waves rolled in and then out again. Seagulls glided lazily overhead. Sam glanced around to find the projector, but came up short. It was so lifelike, it was jarring. All around them were the calming sounds of water, an occasional bird chirp, wind rustling past. A person could get lost here.
Serenity, indeed.
A receptionist with flawless skin and a perfect blond bun approached. “Ms. Spencer. Ms. Ennis. Eleanor will be with you shortly. Please, won’t you relax at our waiting station?”
A station? Well, okay. They could hang out at the station. She and Mallory took a seat on perhaps the most comfortable couch known to man as they waited for their meeting with the spa director. “What do you think this thing is made of?” Sam said, pushing down on the ultra-soft cushion. She could totally nap in this room. Would that be wrong?
“Five-hundred-dollar bills,” Mallory said without blinking. “Look around. They have cash, Sam. We’re not cutting them any financial breaks, agreed? We need to lock them in at budget number one or two.”
“I don’t really play hardball. That’s your job. I’m the sweet one, remember? I like to make friends.”
Mallory smiled. “Just follow my lead.”
That’s when yet another striking blonde approached. “Mallory, it’s so good to see you. And you must be Samantha. A joy. I’m Eleanor.” She held out her thin hand in greeting.
A joy? She’d accept joy. “It’s nice to meet you, Eleanor. This is an amazing space you have.”
“It’s transformative for all of our clients. It’s what Serenity does.” In not-at-all shocking news, Eleanor had a calming voice.
“Of course. I’ve heard great things.”
She smiled. “This way.”
Eleanor led them down a long hallway with sounds of the ocean and distant wind chimes accompanying them the whole way. They entered a conference room where a series of water pitchers, each containing a different type of fruit, lined the center of the table. Eye catching, the little pops of color within each pitcher.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like my guest services navigator to sit in on our meeting.”
“We don’t mind at all,” Mallory said as she pulled her laptop from her attaché.
Sam shrugged. “The more navigators, the better, I always say.” The levity was greeted with a serene smile from Eleanor. Maybe not the place for whimsy after all. The door behind her opened, and yet another tall, blond woman entered. Was height and hair color an employment
Maybe it was talking about her college crush on Sam that had prompted such a powerful surge of lust, just an aftershock of something that once was. She shook her head in mystification, because it sure felt like more than an aftershock.
Damn it.
Why couldn’t anything be easy?
She looked at Elvis, who sighed and laid his chin on her foot in solidarity. “Did you see what I saw?” Elvis merely blinked back. “You’re lucky you’re just a dog.” She shrugged. “Apparently, I am, too.”
*
Serenity Day Spa was kind of like a little slice of heaven on Earth. Samantha hadn’t been excited about accompanying Mallory on the client visit, mainly because she hated to be the bearer of bad news, and the bottom line was that Serenity was going to have to cough up more cash if they wanted Savvy to be able to work for them effectively. Plus, she preferred to work behind the scenes and let Mallory handle the schmoozing.
“Look at this place,” Mallory whispered. “Didn’t I tell you?”
“I think the Dalai Lama might live here,” Sam whispered back. “The girl version, though. Probably wears a bow.” It was part of Serenity’s platform, in fact, a spa for women only. And from everyone she’d seen entering and exiting the place, beautiful women only.
They were standing in what Samantha could only imagine was the lobby, but it was like no lobby she’d ever seen. The lighting was dim and the main wall held a rather realistic portrayal of a beachfront. Waves rolled in and then out again. Seagulls glided lazily overhead. Sam glanced around to find the projector, but came up short. It was so lifelike, it was jarring. All around them were the calming sounds of water, an occasional bird chirp, wind rustling past. A person could get lost here.
Serenity, indeed.
A receptionist with flawless skin and a perfect blond bun approached. “Ms. Spencer. Ms. Ennis. Eleanor will be with you shortly. Please, won’t you relax at our waiting station?”
A station? Well, okay. They could hang out at the station. She and Mallory took a seat on perhaps the most comfortable couch known to man as they waited for their meeting with the spa director. “What do you think this thing is made of?” Sam said, pushing down on the ultra-soft cushion. She could totally nap in this room. Would that be wrong?
“Five-hundred-dollar bills,” Mallory said without blinking. “Look around. They have cash, Sam. We’re not cutting them any financial breaks, agreed? We need to lock them in at budget number one or two.”
“I don’t really play hardball. That’s your job. I’m the sweet one, remember? I like to make friends.”
Mallory smiled. “Just follow my lead.”
That’s when yet another striking blonde approached. “Mallory, it’s so good to see you. And you must be Samantha. A joy. I’m Eleanor.” She held out her thin hand in greeting.
A joy? She’d accept joy. “It’s nice to meet you, Eleanor. This is an amazing space you have.”
“It’s transformative for all of our clients. It’s what Serenity does.” In not-at-all shocking news, Eleanor had a calming voice.
“Of course. I’ve heard great things.”
She smiled. “This way.”
Eleanor led them down a long hallway with sounds of the ocean and distant wind chimes accompanying them the whole way. They entered a conference room where a series of water pitchers, each containing a different type of fruit, lined the center of the table. Eye catching, the little pops of color within each pitcher.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like my guest services navigator to sit in on our meeting.”
“We don’t mind at all,” Mallory said as she pulled her laptop from her attaché.
Sam shrugged. “The more navigators, the better, I always say.” The levity was greeted with a serene smile from Eleanor. Maybe not the place for whimsy after all. The door behind her opened, and yet another tall, blond woman entered. Was height and hair color an employment
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