"Good morning!"
"Mmm. . .morning, as Claire rolls over to get a few more moments of sleep. She subconsciously feels fine stubble brush against her cheek and arm, which sends a tingle through her body.
"Guess what today is sweetie?"
"One more day until Aspen?"
"Yes it is"
Although Claire didn't have to physically be at her job today, she would have to make follow-up calls to the office, and make sure the appointments were being looked after. Claire rises from bed, slips into her robe, and meanders to the kitchen for coffee to start her morning. She steps out onto the back porch to take in the morning air. The door creaked open as Matt snuck up behind her to give her a bear hug.
"Hey, honey. . .your phone's ringing."
Claire took a sip of coffee, pecked Matt's cheek, and went inside.
"Hello. . .Designs of a Decade, Claire speaking, how can I help you?"
"Oh, Claire . . .this is Julie. I know you are on vacation, but. . ."
"Vacation starts tomorrow."
"Oh good because those silk drapes for the Armstrong job are on backorder. . ."
"Oh great. . .well, look in the file cabinet and grab a 10% appreciation coupon to apply to their final bill. Is everything else okay?"
"Sure, everything else is fine. . .have a good vacation."
"Will do."
Claire steps back out onto the back porch where Matt is sitting. She slides onto Matt's lap.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes. . .care to meet me upstairs?"