The response from Blackwood Enterprises arrived at Elegant Realm design studio with surprising promptness. The proposed dinner meeting had been scheduled for the very next evening—sooner than Serena had anticipated.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, Serena drew in a deep breath, absently fingering the edge of her silk blouse as she contemplated the appropriate gift to bring. Something personal yet professional, meaningful without being intimate. The perfect balance eluded her.
Just as she was lost in thought, her assistant Sally entered with a portfolio of recent design sketches, pausing when she noticed Serena's furrowed brow.
"Everything alright?" Sally asked, setting the portfolio down on the sleek glass desk.
"I'm fine, just... Sally, if you were sel
