*
Sunlight filtered in through the light blinds in Mia’s bedroom and she saw the light in her dreams just before she awoke and opened her eyes. She curled her arms up over her head and lengthened them, arching her back and pointing her toes, pushing out the stiffness of sleep.
Pushing herself from the bed, she walked to the shower and twisted the knob in it, sending a thick spray of hot water downward, and billowing steam upward. She pulled her nightgown off and hung it on the back of the bathroom door and moments later she was standing with eyes closed as streams of hot water coursed over her dark body. She pushed her face up toward the showerhead and felt it wash away the dreams and sleep from the night before.
Mia thought better in the shower than she did anywhere else. It was quiet; there were no distractions, there were no noises, there was nothing tugging at her attention and she was able to let her mind wander over all that she had saved up to think about later. She had a meeting that morning with a new client. Logan Parker had been referred to her and she had agreed to an initial meeting with him at his office. She was always glad to get new clients if they were good clients. She pursed her lips in frustration for a moment over Will Carter. She would have to take on at least two new clients to be able to compensate for dumping him from her clientele, but she was seriously considering it.
By the time she patted her body dry with a thick yellow towel, she was smiling and ready for the day to bring her whatever good it would. She readied herself, pulling her hair up into a twist once more. She felt it was best to look professional for her clients, especially new ones. Fingering the hangers in her closet, she moved her hand over several outfits until she came to a light lavender dress that bespoke spring and femininity as well as professionalism. Slipping it on, she paired it with a white jacket and heels with a silver necklace, and gave herself a cursory glance in the mirror. Smiling, she picked up her bag and headed out the door.
Forty minutes later, she was stepping out of the elevator at Logan’s office. She glanced around at the natural wood and clear glass design of the reception room, and immediately liked the warm and welcoming feel that it gave her. There were potted plants set around in subtle places, giving the area a much more natural feel.
Mia walked up to the reception desk and announced herself. She was surprised to see a young man at the desk rather than a woman of any age. It was rare to find a male receptionist. He was polite, offering her coffee while she waited to see Logan. She declined his offer and sat in one of the deeply-cushioned chairs. It was obvious that if Logan had anything to do with the design of his office, he had good taste as well as money, and that was a combination she felt she didn’t find as often as she would have liked to.
She wasn’t waiting long. Five minutes after she sat down, a tall, well-built man strode out from the hallway and walked to her, greeting her with a smile and a handshake as she rose up from her chair. His blond hair was cut short and his clean-shaven face was more than nice to look at, with evenly placed features and soft brown eyes shining down at her from his six foot height. She smiled up at him as he spoke her name in his deep voice.
“You must be Miss James. I’m Logan Parker. It’s wonderful to meet you. Thank you so much for taking the time to come in to my office to meet with me. I appreciate it.” He looked at her seriously and she knew he meant it; he wasn’t just being polite.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” she answered him with a smile. She was. He seemed very nice. “It’s just as easy for me to meet you here as it is anywhere else, so whatever is convenient and close for you works well for me.”
It was true, as long as it was on the island anywhere, or not far from it, she was glad to meet her clients at their businesses or their homes, although she did prefer businesses, as it kept the feel of their meetings focused on professionalism. Mia had a small office in SoHo, but she rarely met anyone there. She preferred to use it for her work on her client’s files rather than meeting them there in person.
He tipped his head backward behind him in a directional gesture. “Would you care to come back to the office and we can get started?” he asked in a light tone.
She nodded and picked up her bag, following him as he led the way. She looked around at the other offices they passed on the way to his at the end of the hallway. Upon entering it, she found herself surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows, barely off white carpet, and light wood furnishings. There were more plants in corners and on flat surfaces, and a softly bubbling water fountain on a low table by one window. The environment was peaceful.