Page 25 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“It’s a thriller,” said Lori.

“Okay,” said Guy, chuckling. “I knew you’d pick something exciting. Thanks.”

Lori remembered how easy it had been to date him in high school and was glad he hadn’t changed too much. He was a worldly man who’d had an interesting life away from Ellenton, much different from hers. But they still got along.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

LORI

Lori and Guy left the movie theater, discussing the movie’s final twist. Because Lori read thrillers and mystery books, she’d guessed the ending. Guy was surprised by it. However, discussing the various possibilities was enjoyable and sparked laughter between them.

“Can I buy you an after-dinner drink?” Guy asked her.

She hesitated and then said, “Why don’t you come to my house instead? I’ve got some cold beers in the refrigerator. But it can’t be a late evening. One beer. My sister’s baby shower is tomorrow, and I promised my mother to help set it up.”

“Okay, deal,” said Guy.

They walked to Guy’s car, got in, and drove to her house.

On the way, Lori told herself not to second-guess her decision. She’d had other men inside her house, but no one had stayed the night, nor would they until she was ready. In a way, having Guy come to her house would be a test of how things might progress in the future.

Her thoughts turned to Griff. She’d loved the idea of having a male friend but had to admit that under different circumstances, she’d have liked more than that with him.

When they reached her house, Lori led the way to the front door, unlocked it, and indicated for Guy to enter.

Closing the door behind them, Lori drew a deep breath and told herself to relax.

Guy turned to her with an easy smile, and the uneasiness she’d felt disappeared. It was a new year filled with determination for emotional growth.

She led the way into the kitchen.

“Heineken all right?” she asked.

“Perfect,” Guy said. “I had the chance to enjoy the Heineken Experience while traveling in Amsterdam. It was very interesting, and it’s a tasty beer.”

“Have you done a lot of traveling?” Lori asked, handing him a bottle of beer.

“Yes. I took a year off to travel between getting my bachelor’s degree and starting law school. I've visited every continent except Antarctica. I traveled with a friend for part of it and picked up other friends along the way. It was a terrific experience.”

“It sounds fantastic. I’d like to travel but haven’t had the chance to do so,” said Lori. “Tell me about Paris. Was it as wonderful as they say?”

“Anywhere in France, it’s about the food. All of it is delectable. Paris is a large city, but like New York, it’s full of neighborhoods and diverse places to stay and eat, aside from the usual tourist spots. That’s what I was looking for, places off the usual tourist routes.”

Facing him, Lori leaned against the kitchen bar and sighed. “How did you manage to pay for it without working as you traveled? That’s always been a concern for me.”

“My grandmother left me some money, and I decided to use some of it to travel. I knew I’d probably never have the chance to do something like that again.”

“And now? Do you spend vacations traveling?”

He shook his head. “I only do it for business or to visit my mother in California.”

“That’s too bad,” Lori said. “I’m glad you were able to see the world when you could.”

“Yeah, me too,” said Guy, looking away and then back to her. “The divorce cost me a lot. But someday I hope to be able to go on more trips.”

“I’m sorry,” said Lori. She went around the counter and sat on a kitchen bar stool facing him. “Tell me about living in California.”

“My family moved to a suburb of Los Angeles, and I admit, at first, I found the weather a pleasant change from Ellenton. It was exciting to meet many kids who had famous parents. But after a while, it all seemed fake to me. My father was an entertainment lawyer, and he was very successful because he loved his work. So, the move was a wise one for my parents. I also loved learning to surf and sail. My father had a small yacht, and that was fun too.”