by Ali Spooner
Luna jumped at the sound of her voice. “Good morning, I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, it was time for the alarm to go off. What are you cooking?”
“I thought I would make us an omelet for breakfast.”
“Did I have ingredients for omelets?”
“You had eggs and some cheese and a little bit of ham, so I think we’re good. Would you pour us some juice?”
“I have orange and apple.”
“Apple for me please.”
Marley poured two large glasses of juice and placed them on the counter and went to start a pot of coffee. She was surprised and pleased to find Luna had already made a pot.
“I guessed at the number of scoops, but maybe it’s drinkable,” she shrugged.
“It looks and smells great,” Marley poured a cup. “Not bad for a teetotaler,” she teased after taking a sip.
Marley watched as Luna slid a huge omelet onto a plate and was relieved when she cut it in half and slid one half onto another plate. “Do you use hot sauce or ketchup?”
“A shot of hot sauce would be perfect,” Marley said as her mouth began to water.
Luna walked to the fridge and located a bottle of hot sauce and dowsed each half with a shot of the spicy liquid. “I do believe we are ready to eat.”
They carried their plates and juice over to the breakfast nook. “This is fantastic,” Marley moaned when she bit into the omelet.
“I’m glad you approve, Ma’am.”
“Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Iron. I end up with more wrinkles than I started out with.”
“That’s a shame, I was about ready to propose to you,” Marley said, taking another bite.
“I can take the clothes to the cleaners.”
Marley smiled and kept eating.
“What time are you going to the club?” Luna asked.
“I thought I would go in about ten, why?”
“I would like to join you if I could and maybe get you to look over the proposal before Lindy shows up.”
“Since you cooked breakfast, I reckon I do owe you.”
“Naw, but I would appreciate your opinion.”
“Not a problem,” Marley looked over the rim of her coffee mug. She was stuffed and pushed the plate away. “That was really good.”
“Thanks. I don’t often cook.”
“Well I’m glad you did this morning. That really hit the spot.”
Marley loaded the dishwasher and poured another cup of coffee. “I’m going to take a shower so I can get moving.”
“I will head out now and see you around ten.”
“That sounds good, lock the door behind you when you leave please.”
“Will do, Boss,” she winked.
†
Marley took her coffee and walked into the bathroom to start the shower. For a brief second, she considered inviting Luna to shower with her, but she knew if she did the morning would be spent in bed. So instead, Marley started the water and undressed. Sleeping beside Luna and sharing breakfast certainly had her stirred up. She just shook her head and stepped under the warm water. She could think of dozens of women that would not have turned Luna away.
When she finished showering, Marley walked to her bedroom to dress. The t-shirt Luna had worn while cooking was folded and placed at the end of the made bed. She picked it up and lifted it to her face and just as she thought, the shirt smelled like Luna. It was a very pleasant smell and brought a smile to her face. She dropped it back onto the bed and finished dressing. She walked into the kitchen and saw the laptop back in the box and the briefcase sitting on the table with a note.
‘Marley, will you please bring this to the club with you? I will be on my bike when I meet you later. Thanks, Luna.’
She rinsed her cup and carried the first load out to her car. Marley returned inside and picked up the stack of papers she had printed the night before and tucked them into her briefcase, then left her apartment.
When she arrived at the club, Marley saw Lindy’s sports car in the lot and a truck sporting a local contractor’s signage. She carried her materials into the front room and placed them on the table before going in search of Lindy. She noticed an envelope with Luna’s name on it and smiled as she left the room. They were completing a walkthrough of the downstairs as she approached.
“Tom, this is Marley, she will be managing the club.”
“Nice to meet you, Ma’am.” He offered her his hand.
Marley gave him a firm handshake, “Nice to meet you too, Tom.” She noticed he had a set of floor plans rolled up beneath his arm and she turned to Lindy. “I have a few security recommendations I would like to discuss when you have a minute.”
“Go for it,” Lindy said.
“I thought it may be helpful if we had a heavier front door and had the reception area secured from the rest of the building. A security door leading upstairs wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
“Will that present a problem for you Tom?”
“None whatsoever. I can add them into the plans and get your approval before finalizing those two areas.”
“Tom is pulling a second crew in starting this week to work on the club. We are going to add a Roman bath at the end of the massage rooms, if that’s good with you.”
“That sounds perfect and should make it easier to plumb.”
“It will be close, but I’ll do whatever you need to get this project completed by the end of the month.”
“Thanks, Tom. I will be stopping in periodically the next two weeks and then Marley will be here full time to put the finishing touches on the place in preparation for our grand opening.”
They walked back to the front door. “We will be on the job by seven in the morning,” he promised and walked out to his truck to leave.
“I liked your suggestions for security,” Lindy said.
“I also think we can put a video surveillance system and alarms in as well, but that is completely up to you.” Marley nodded her head toward the stairs. “Might not be a bad idea to have a few minutes warning before we have some unwanted visitors upstairs.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem, but it won’t hurt to have a system in place. What did the two of you come up with last night?”
“We both put together lists of equipment and supplies we will need to complete the start up. If you would like, we can start with my list and Luna should be here shortly.”
†
She and Lindy took a seat at the table and began reviewing her lists. Lindy made several additions, such as linens and towels that Marley had overlooked. They heard the rumbling of Luna’s bike pull into the parking lot. Lindy reached into her pocket and pulled out a credit card to hand to Marley.
“There is a one hundred-thousand-dollar line of credit on this card. I think it should be adequate to order the materials you will need.”
“I will place the orders tonight,” Marley said as Luna came bouncing in.
She sat down at the table with them and her eyes came to rest on the envelope. Lindy pushed it toward her and watched her eyes light up as she opened it. She poured out the set of keys, tucking them away in her pocket and slipped the envelope in her back pocket.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Welcome aboard,” Lindy said with a grin. “Starting tomorrow, the construction crew will be doubled so we can be ready to go by the beginning of next month. I will make plans for a grand opening event while the two of you get us staffed and operational with equipment and supplies.” She turned to Luna. “I have already approved Marley’s list, so let’s see what you have in mind.”
Luna opened her briefcase to remove her print outs and the hand drawn plan of the fitness area she designed.
“This should do quite well,” Lindy said as Luna explained her plans. When she turned back to Marley, she was wearing a devilish grin. “I have arranged for you to meet with the tennis instructor at two today if that is good with you? Her name is Elin
Combs.”
“We will also be meeting with several other potential staff today, so hopefully we will be fully staffed soon,” Marley said.
“Excellent,” Lindy pulled out a small pocket calendar. “The first is a Friday. I was thinking we could have our grand opening on the afternoon of the second.”
“That should be just fine,” Marley said.
“One more thing,” Lindy said. “Uniforms, I was thinking turquoise shorts with peach golf shirts with turquoise embroidery. What do you think?”
“I like that combination. It’s very chic.” Marley agreed and they looked at Luna who nodded in agreement.
“Very well, start me a list of short, shirt and shoe sizes and I will take care of the clothing,” Lindy said.
“Yes ma’am, I’ll take care of that,” Luna said.
“Luna, I noticed the equipment vendor you selected is local. Do you think they will have most of it in stock?”
“If not, I will ask them for a rush order.”
“Good, the flooring will be down in the fitness center tomorrow, and I am anxious to see the equipment installed. If you two can arrange your schedules, go first thing in the morning to order and pay for the equipment.”
“That will help to let the club start taking shape,” Marley said.
It was a tossup as to who was more excited as they chatted and made notes of additional assignments.
†
Lindy went out at lunch and brought them back sandwiches, then left for home. She did not want to appear overly anxious as they met with the potential new staff, especially Elin since she was the one to recommend her. She wanted Marley to form her own opinion of the young woman.
“I will be in touch with you two this week if that’s okay,” Lindy said as she rose to leave.
“Yes, no problem,” they both answered, and Luna gave Lindy her cell number.
“Good luck this afternoon.” She left the club.
†
Luna looked at Marley with a grin. “Dayum, Girlfriend.”
Marley returned her mischievous smile. “What?”
“This is going to be so much fun.”
“Yeah, I think so too. I’m really looking forward to getting away from the clinic.”
Luna laughed. “I called the owner last night and gave him a one-week notice. He was none too pleased, but I don’t care if he lets me go earlier, I can just spend more time here getting the club ready.”
“I wish I could say the same. I’m sure the clinic is going to work me down to the last minute.”
“At least there is an end in sight for you, my friend. When are you planning to move in?”
“I was hoping to be here by next weekend, why?”
“I’m interested in subletting your place and will help you with moving if you need some help. I have friends with trucks.”
“I’m paid up through the month, but I’m sure the landlord would jump at you subletting. I will arrange it with him tonight and start packing.”
“Just let me know when you need some trucks and muscle.”
“Well the flat here is mostly furnished so it will be mostly clothes and some personal belongings. Do you need the furniture?”
“I will gladly buy it off you. I’m sort of starting from scratch here. The friends I share an apartment with own all the furnishings. All I really own are some clothes and my bike. It’s easier to pick up and move that way.”
Marley thought she heard a tone of sadness in Luna’s voice. She smiled at her, “No problem, we can work out the details later.” They heard a car door close and moments later a knock on the door.
Marley went to the door and found an adorable blonde woman standing there. She smiled as she reached out her hand. “I’m Marley, you must be Elin.”
“Yes, I am,” she returned Marley’s smile.
“Please come in and I will introduce you to Luna, our fitness director, and we will give you a tour of the facilities.”
She completed the introductions and they went on a tour of the club. When they had completed the downstairs tour, Luna left them to check out the tennis facilities alone.
“Lindy has done a wonderful job of planning for the club,” Elin said as they walked toward the courts and small dressing room.
“Yes, she has. Did she explain about the upstairs activities or bonus program as she calls it?”
Elin let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, she did. I am already quite familiar with most of the women who will be members and I have no problem making a little extra on the side.”
“Good, I think it will be great for all involved. Have you and Lindy discussed salaries?”
“No, she said she would leave that up to you.”
“Since you will be running the tennis program solo, how about fifty?”
“That is more than fair and much better than I am bringing in now,” Elin said.
“Very good, so what equipment will you need?”
Elin left Marley with a list and the name of a local supplier. She only needed to give a week’s notice at the country club, so she would be available to start sooner than Marley had expected. “I’m sure Luna could use an extra set of hands to get some of the equipment set up and I’m certain there will be plenty to keep you busy until we open.”
“This is so exciting,” Elin said as they walked back inside and up the stairs to the flats.
“I will be living on-site to provide some added security as well as to paint the ruse that the flats are used as rentals,” she explained as they walked downstairs to find Luna speaking with the next group of applicants.
Luna looked up when she saw them come down the stairs and Marley gave her a nod. She introduced the two women she was talking with. “This is Marley, our club manager and Elin, our tennis director. Ladies this is Pepper and Haley. Pepper is a fitness trainer, and Haley is an all-around office guru.”
“Nice to meet you all. I will give you a call later in the week to arrange schedules,” Elin said to Marley and left.
“Why don’t you show the ladies around the club and we will meet back here,” Marley suggested as she walked back to her office.
“Sure thing, Boss.” Luna took the ladies on a tour.
Marley flipped on the light and was surprised to find her office fully furnished. There was a note on the cherry wood desk from Lindy. ‘I hope you find this suitable. If not, we can exchange anything you don’t approve of, including the chair. I tried it out and it seemed very comfy to me.’
The furnishings were finer than anything Marley had ever had, she sat down at her desk to try out the chair and it indeed was very comfortable. She smiled as she tore the note from the tablet and folded it and placed it in her center drawer.
She walked out to retrieve her briefcase and notepad to begin making a list of clothing and shoe sizes. She settled in to her office while she waited for Luna to return with the two women. When she heard them approach, she returned to the front room.
“What do you think, Ladies?” she asked.
“This is going to be a wonderful place,” Pepper said.
“Yes it is, Pepper. Do you want to be a part of it?”
“I most certainly do.”
Marley looked at Haley who was also nodding her head. “Luna, can I see you in my office for a minute? Will you excuse us, Ladies?”
Luna followed Marley into the office. “What do you recommend for salaries?”
“I would say forty for Pepper and thirty for Haley.”
“You have explained everything to them, especially the discretion they will need to display.”
“They are completely aware,” Luna assured her.
“Very well, send Pepper back first then.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Luna left the room.
Marley made the offers and both women heartily accepted their new positions. Luna added their names to the list and got their sizes for the uniforms Lindy would be ordering. Marley was sure Luna had talked to them about complete discretion, but she wanted t
o hear it for herself. “I want to make sure that you two understand about the activities upstairs. Luna and I are single, so we don’t have to worry about a jealous partner. You won’t be able to participate directly Haley, since you will be managing the reception area and acting as our first line of security, but Pepper will.” She paused to allow her words to sink in. “Do either of you have a problem with this? I would understand if you needed time to discuss this before you give us a final answer.”
Haley looked at Pepper and then smiled at Marley. “Business is business, and this is too good of an offer for us to pass on. I trust that Pepper only has me in her heart.”
“Very well then. Welcome aboard, Ladies.”
When the two women left, Marley looked at Luna. “Things are shaping up quickly, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, we just need the massage therapists and we will be good to go.”
“I have three scheduled for this afternoon and the first should be here soon.”
“You think we could be fully staffed by the end of today?” Luna asked.
“That’s the plan.”
“Sweet.” Luna smiled broadly.
“If we have everyone on board in two weeks that will give us a full week to make sure everything is in place for the grand opening.”
“Pepper is between positions right now so I have asked her to come in this week and help me with the equipment set up. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s perfect,” Marley assured her.
By the end of the afternoon they were indeed fully staffed. Marley turned to Luna. “This was a productive day. Would you care to join me for some dinner?”
“That would be awesome.”
“I think I’m in the mood for some Sushi. How about you?”
“Sushi sounds great. I know just the perfect place, but I insist on buying.”
“I have no problem with that. Let’s lock up here and I’ll follow you.”
Chapter Five