“I think so,” she said, surprised to find it wasn’t a lie. That she was pretty much okay with everything. That didn’t mean her head wasn’t full of questions. “It’s a lot to process.”
Spencer nodded. “I know.”
“You’re really a... bear.” She couldn’t quite keep the question out of her voice, even though she’d seen it with her own eyes.
“Yes.”
“How?” She pressed her fingers to her forehead. “I vaguely remember us having some kind of conversation last night, but it’s all a blur.”
“That’s okay. We can go over it all again as many times as you want.” He took a breath. “It’s a gene passed down through the generations. I got mine from my father.”
“So, your brothers?” Meryl asked, remembering how kind and welcoming they all were last night at the restaurant.
“Yes. All of them.” He nodded, seeming pleased she had at least recalled something of their conversation last night. “The first shift normally happens around puberty.”
Meryl looked down at the steam rising from her coffee. Their fingers brushed, and she didn’t pull away. He looked relieved.
“Thank you,” he said, “for not running.”
“I almost did,” she admitted.
“But you didn’t.”
“No.” She looked down at her coffee. “I didn’t.”
They settled at the small table Spencer had set up for their impromptu dinner a couple of nights ago. Wow, was that all it was? It seemed like a lifetime ago now.
The silence stretched on, but just as it was about to get awkward, her phone beeped with a notification.
“I should check my email.” She stood up abruptly, needing a moment to recalibrate. “I’m expecting an email from a client.”
“Go ahead.” Spencer nodded. “I’ll make some breakfast.”
In the living room, Meryl opened her laptop and tried to focus on the screen in front of her. She scanned her inbox. Mostwere routine, client feedback, newsletter subscriptions, and reminders about invoices.
But one caught her eye immediately. The sender was Lou Harrington, creative director at Atelier, a leading design group. The subject line read simply: Perfect opportunity for you.
Meryl’s heart skipped. Atelier was prestigious, the kind of firm that could elevate a freelancer’s career overnight. She’d done a small project for them last year, some branding work for a boutique hotel chain, but nothing that should have put Lou’s radar on anything significant.
She clicked on the email, pulse quickening.
Meryl,
I hope this finds you well and you’re nearing the end of your little renovation project. And I have an offer for you.
Your work on the Methurst Hotels project last year left a strong impression.
We’ve just landed a major client, Wentwood Development Group, for a complete rebrand and environmental design package across their luxury property portfolio. The scope includes everything from brand identity to wayfinding systems for twenty properties worldwide.
We’re looking for someone to lead the environmental design components, working closely with our in-house team. And my first thought was you.
The timeline would be approximately eight months, starting in three weeks, which I believe would tie in with your renovation project ending. Compensation would be substantial (details attached), and while some work could be done remotely, much of the work would be in-house here.
I know this is somewhat out of the blue, but sometimes timing is everything. If you’re interested, I’d love to set up a call early next week to discuss further.
Best, Lou
Meryl stared at the screen, reading the email twice more. This wasn’t just a job, it was the kind of career-defining opportunity she’d been working toward for years. The kind that would establish her firmly in the upper echelons of environmental design, with connections and credibility that would secure her future for years to come.
