Sleet Banshee by S.J. Tilly
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
MEGHAN
Happiness flows through my body as I stride into the Science Museum. This was one of my favorite places growing up, and I can’t believe I get to plan a wedding here. Eek!
The lobby is large; full of screaming children, frazzled parents, and school field trip groups. Typical crowd for a weekday afternoon.
My gaze sticks on the life-size whale shark replica hanging from the ceiling. With the walls and ceiling covered in ocean murals, the entire lobby is meant to look as though it’s underwater. And I love it.
I let out a contented sigh. I’m going to spend as much time here as possible during the planning process.
Shifting focus to the customer information center, I exhale and switch on my professional persona. Jackson apparently knows someone that works here, named Samuel, and he’ll be helping me get the lay of the land. I don’t know anything about him other than his name, so I’m treating this as I would any other New Client meeting. Once I get to know a client, I’ll let my walls down a bit, but I don’t want to scare off some prude with the Full Meghan if they aren’t ready for it.
To go with the pro attitude, I dressed in my usual business casual: black skinny jeans (that stretch, obviously), a flowy cream silk top, a black blazer, my black feather earrings, and hair somewhat contained in a low pony. Knowing that we’d be walking around, I stuck with flat-soled black ankle boots. And because I don’t like hauling a giant purse everywhere, I tucked my essentials into my totally awesome blue velvet backpack that’s currently slung over my shoulders.
“Miss Morris?” a deep, but somehow vibrant, voice catches my attention.
Turning, I spot a handsome man with a wide smile walking in my direction.
I smile back - “Please, call me Meghan.”
The man is tall, so it doesn’t take long for his strides to reach me. Taking my hand, he shakes it vigorously. “Meghan. A pleasure. I’m Samuel. Jackson described you perfectly. A stunning redhead I was sure not to miss.”
This guy oozes charm, but in a non-creepy way, and my smile grows.
Standing about a head taller than me, Samuel is slender and polished. He has jet black hair styled back from his face. His eyes are a fascinating shade of hazel. He’s clean-shaven, and his royal blue Science Museum polo shows off his sleeve of watercolor tattoos. Something about the design seems familiar, but I don’t want to stare. The shirt might be part of a uniform, but Samuel is all style with it tucked into his designer dark wash jeans, and matching polished brown leather belt and shoes.
“It’s great to meet you, Samuel. I’m so beyond excited to be coordinating an event here.”
Releasing me from his grip, Samuel brings both hands to his chest. “I know, right? This place is to die for! And those love birds are the most disgustingly-adorable couple I’ve ever met.”
I laugh as I roll my eyes. “I know. They’re the worst. I don’t think Jackson told me how you two know each other…”
Samuel waves away the implied question. “He knows my brother. Who cares. I want to know about you! I hear you and that precious Kitten have been friends for ages.”
The way he said Kitten made it sound both sexual and endearing. I can tell that I’m going to like Samuel a lot. And I think it’s safe to be myself around him.
