Yours, David.
Tessa smiled and hit reply.
Hey David! Thought of you in 36° weather this afternoon as I waded into the Aussie side of the Pacific. I slathered on the sunblock, but still got a little pink…
Tessa paused, and chuckled. She’d gotten very pink, but not from sun exposure. David didn’t need to know that.
…but nothing bad. In fact the afternoon was a success. The ocean is a good place to be reminded that there’s a big world out there. When I remember that, as I did this afternoon, my problems seem a whole lot smaller. I’m doing some more reflection and work this evening, so probably won’t get a chance to email you until tomorrow.
Have a good night. Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite. (If they do, I suggest Terminix.)
Tessa.
Tessa scanned her work email. No emergencies, thank goodness, but lots of activity. Her staff had already taken calls from buyers at Macys and Dillards; they wanted to know whether Tessa had plans to add accessories to her line. Dillards also wanted to know if Tessa would be interested in creating a group or single design each season for them, on an exclusive basis. Tessa’s business was certainly heating up and it felt good, if a little overwhelming. It was clear she’d be putting in some long hours when she got home.
Tessa turned off her laptop and slid it away from her. The first thing she’d done when she got back to the hotel was take a long, warm shower. She shampooed her hair, lathered every inch of her skin, twice, and shaved her legs (again). She towel dried her hair, moisturized herself from nose to toes, and decided to take a quick look at email before getting ready for her appointment with Jason. Since the appointment was here in her room, which scared her more than a little bit, she had plenty of time to get ready. She stretched out on top of her king sized bed and mentally went through her closet. Was the green dress trying too hard? Were the white capris with the simple pink tunic too casual? The sun and sand, added to the stress of her ‘water aerobics,’ resulted in one tired woman. Just for five minutes, Tessa thought, as she closed her eyes.
-14-
Tessa opened her eyes again when a loud knock on the door jolted her awake.
“Tessa?”
Tessa turned toward the bedside clock and squinted. It couldn’t be right. It read 8:02.
“Just a minute,” Tessa adjusted the hotel bathrobe she’d fallen asleep in and belted it tight. “I’m coming…”
Jason smiled when he saw Tessa peek out from behind the door. “I would say you already did, but for all I know you were doing more homework in there, and might be coming again.”
Tessa felt the blood run to her face. Added to a bit of sunburn, it would be flaming red now.
“I fell asleep. I’m not ready. I’m sorry.”
“Can I come in?”
Tessa swung the door all the way open and Jason stepped in. He looked her up and down and his eyes twinkled with amusement.
“The natural look, I see. If anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”
Tessa glanced at the mirror outside of the bathroom door. Her hair had dried while she slept; it looked a little like the ‘before’ Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. She’d also fallen asleep with her face on the sleeve of her chenille bathrobe and it left a red crease mark from the top of her cheekbone to the cleft of her chin. Charming.