It was the third day of a four day industry conference and I was beat. Several thousand Vendors, consultants, and clients meet once a year at a large resort to learn about new trends and products, see old friends and make new ones, and in my case, attempt to get some new customers.
I know what you're thinking; we've heard about these conferences. A couple meetings in the morning so you can write it off as a business expense, golfing all afternoon, and drinking in the bar all evening. Well maybe the conferences you go to, but this was definitely a working one for me. Up at 6:00am to go to a continental breakfast meeting at 7:00. Educational/information sessions all morning, then into the Expo center for lunch. My company had a booth there which needed to be staffed while potential clients wandered about asking questions, 'kicking the tires' on your products, and picking up logoed trinkets. And you better have some cool trinkets (and candy) if you wanted to get any attention. So lunch consisted of running to the buffet and hopefully grabbing a bite or two in between talking to anyone who even glanced your way.
More sessions in the afternoon, then a buffet style dinner back at the Expo in the evening and more sales time in the booth. Maybe a quick drink or two at the bar with a potential customer, then head back to the room, catch up on business emails, and in bed by midnight if you were lucky. That was my first 2 days.
The third day noon time was the wrap up of the Expo. Give away as much stuff as you could so you didn't have to lug it home, then pack up the booth materials. More sessions in the afternoon, but the evening was free time. So that's where my story begins as I dragged myself back to the room.
I skipped the last session, so it was about 5pm. Too early to go to dinner and I wanted some time to relax anyway. I had barely been outside since I arrived at the resort, but I did see they had a nice pool and spa. Yea, a hot tub was just what I needed. I always bring my trunks along on trips so I quickly changed and headed to the pool area. It was a warm day and the pool was crowded with kids, but I could see only a couple heads sticking up in the spa. I got a cold beer from the pool bar, set my towel on one of the chairs, and gingerly stepped in. Damn it was hot, but it felt so good. After a couple minutes, I sank all the way in with just my head and beer hand above water.
Then I noticed there were two women sitting directly across from me. One looked like she had a few miles on her, but hey, I'm no spring chicken myself. The attractive younger woman next to her bore a resemblance so I figured they were mother and daughter. They were all the way up to their necks also and opened their eyes a bit to see who had joined the group. I nodded my head and tipped the beer in their direction as an informal hello. That got me a small smile from both. With the rest of them being under water, and the bubbles from the water jets, I couldn't see anything else.
I finished my beer and set the empty can on the ledge. That's when I noticed a couple near empty plastic wine glasses behind them. One of the pool servers came by and I flagged her down. "Another beer for me please, and ladies, would you like another glass of wine? White? My treat."
"Why, thank you, and yes, we are having white." the younger one replied with a big smile.
"My name's Tom. I'm here with the conference that you have probably seen all the signs about."
"I'm Jennifer, although most people call me Jen, and this is my mother Sally." We're just here on a girls' getaway."
We made small talk for a bit until the server brought our drinks. Sally and Jen had to sit up a bit to reach their wine and so I got my first glimpse of what had been hiding under the water. Jen was wearing a white two piece suit and she filled out the top quite nicely, thank you. Sally wore a navy one piece which didn't show quite as much and I could see gravity was beginning to take its toll, but it was also obvious where Jen got her looks.
I was beginning to get hungry now and asked if they would like to get something to eat with me. The bar could order food from any of the resort restaurants and bring it right to your poolside table. As we got out of the spa, I stole a few glances at the two of them, especially as they were drying off. Jen was filled out in all the right places, and if I didn't know Sally was her mother, she could have passed for an older sister. Yea, she looked that good.