Author's Notes: Keep the comments coming. I read each one. I do hope you are enjoying the novel.
MDSW
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"The next topic on my list is personal to me and I want to ask all of you for your advice... I'm thinking about changing my appearance to clean shaven and a business haircut and I would like to hear your opinions on that subject."
Kristi screams, jumps on his lap and starts giving him kisses all over his face until she realizes where she is. Brad has a look of total disbelief on his face. She sat back down next to Brad and took his hand in hers.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry everyone. I should not have done that. I've been hoping he would do this and I just reacted to the good news without thinking. I apologize again," she said with a huge smile on her face as she leans on him. "I will try not to do that again as long as Brad tries not to hit me with another bomb shell like that."
"Well, I'm guessing that is one vote in favor of my new look. Anybody else got a thought on the subject?" he said as everyone laughs.
All the girls agree with Kristi and the men, Rick and Craig, are not that convinced it will be an improvement.
"Brad, why are you considering this change, if you don't mind me asking?" Rick asks.
"I have been looking at the appearance of the CEO's that work for us. Compared to them, I look like a hippie. I want to look more professional so I can at least fake the second impression as I meet with them."
"Ooohhh, so you want to look like me then..." Rick says.
They laugh.
"I'm okay with that and I don't have an argument against the change. Go for it, if that is what you want," Rick replies, jokingly.
"Thanks Rick. Kristi, would you schedule that appointment for whenever please?"
"Consider it done Brad," she says as she lets go of his hand.
"I figured you would say that."
She smiles, got on her phone, speaks to the stylist, set it up for this afternoon and told Brad.
Kristi has excitement written all over her with anticipation of his new look. She has secretly wanted this since she met him, but never said anything. She feels it is not her place to do so. Now it's about to happen.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, Brad. Stress relief," Kristi said.
"More meeting time? Damn, I need some time off for bad behavior."
Everyone laughs again as Kristi takes his hand in hers.
Brad wants to get up to stretch but Kristi will not let his hand go.
"Kristi, you can let me go now."
She gave him a look.
"I feel like beating on something, instead of being beaten on," he said with a slight smile showing.
She gave a frown, released his hand and pouts as Brad looks away and froze.
He looks back at her and said, "Would you like to volunteer?" he asks.
Kristi nods in reply as a smile appears on her face.
"Oh damn you. You're no fun. You're too willing," he said with a smile.
He grabs her, pulls her to his lap and hugs her as everyone laughs. He holds her tight and kisses her as she cuddles into him, then he continues.
"Okay. Sorry for the distraction everyone... Stress relief. Anybody feel stressed out on this job?"
The team said they feel there are two great stress relievers already in place. One is the comfort clothes attire and the other is the bullshit session after dinner.
"I didn't consider them to be stress relievers, but they are. That's good! Is that enough for you or would you like to do something in addition to that?"
Kristi assumes her seat and collects herself.
Stacy asks, "What do you have in mind boss?"
"Stacy, if you call me boss again, I will throw you in the pool."
"Okay boss, whatever. What do you have in mind?"
"I see you have been talking to Kristi, haven't you?"
"I have," Stacy said.
Kristi straightens up and begins snickering as Brad looks at her.
Suddenly, Brad bolts toward Stacy and corrals her before she can get away. She is no match for him as the rest of the team laughs and wonders how far he will go with this joke. Or is it a joke?
"Peggy, please remove anything from her pockets that should not get wet please." Then he whispers, "And hold on to Kristi. She may be next."
He asks Kristi to take his phone from his pocket. She did, with a smile, as she gave him a little squeeze. She is not yet afraid.
Then he carries Stacy to the pool. She screams and fought with him the whole way. It isn't far away and with everyone following and watching, he throws her in.
Brad jumps in right behind her. When she surfaces, he is resting one arm on the side of the pool. He reaches for her and pulls her to him. She wraps her arms behind his neck and holds him tight. She is laughing as he holds her above water by hanging on to the side of the pool using both arms. He moves them along to where he can stand and gives her a hug. There are big smiles on their faces.
Stacy said, "I really needed that Brad, but you surprised me by doing it. It was fun."
Brad turns and looks at everyone standing above him.
"Now, that is what I call a stress reliever," Brad said as everyone bursts into laughter.
Brad turns back to his sister.
"Did you set me up to do that?"
"Yup."
"You're bad, Sis," Brad said.
"I love my brother," Stacy said as she gives him another hug.
Stacy holds Brad in the pool and hugs him again, then they walk out together, holding hands. They all took seats by the pool.
When Brad sits down, he asks, "Kristi, did you put her up to that?"
Peggy is not holding her very well. Kristi bolts, smiling, but he did not chase her. She starts giggling but stays out of his reach for the time being. He has other plans for her.
"That was fun... Who's next?" he said as he gets up.
Everyone scatters in half a heartbeat, except Stacy and Craig, as he sits back down in his wet chair. Brad, Craig and Stacy just sit there laughing their butts off. The staff returns a short time later, laughing with them.
"I didn't know you guys could run so fast," Brad said laughing.
Once they collect themselves, Kristi asks Rick if he would grab a couple towels but he is not there. He is returning with two towels and hands them to Stacy and Brad, who thank him.
As they are drying off, Brad asks, "I know we were discussing something but it has slipped my mind. What were we talking about anyway?"
Everyone yells "stress relievers" in unison and laugh again.
"Oh right! How could I forget that?"
Brad asks if they want to try any physical stress relievers like volley ball, badminton, tennis or some other sport.
They like the idea so they began to decide how to make it happen. But, this issue will be discussed later. Brad decides to end the meeting on a high note because two owners have to go change.
It is time for the pool and everyone left to get bathing suits on and return to start either sunbathing or swimming or both, or whatever.