Page 33 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

They walked into the dining room hand-in-hand. Guy led her to a table near the dance floor. “This is us. You know Josh Bingham and his wife, Susannah. He took over for his father at the law firm. Steven Franklin is a new man on board who’s taking Ben Smith’s place. He’s retiring next month. I haven’t met Steve’s wife Nicole yet. I'm told they moved here from New York City for a quieter life.”

The others hadn’t arrived. Lori placed her purse at the seat Guy indicated and then walked over to the end of the room where the cocktail party was taking place.

“What’ll you have? Wine?” asked Guy.

“A glass of pinot noir, please,” said Lori.

While Guy left, Susannah Bingham approached her.

Cynthia joined them, studying Lori’s outfit. “You’re wearing one of my friend’s dresses. I’ll have to tell her how nice it looked on you.”

Lori felt the blood leave her face and rush back in a heated flow. She didn’t know where to look or what to say.

“Lori, you look beautiful, as always,” said Susannah. “Come with me. There are some women I want you to meet. See you later, Cynthia.”

As they walked away, Susannah said to Lori, “That woman irritates me no end. She has no idea her snobby airs would be considered laughable in more sophisticated social circles outside of town.”

They stood by one of the long windows overlooking a patio and beyond it to the golf course.

A group of women Lori recognized as mothers of children she worked with approached them.

“It’s a pleasure to see you here, Lori, “ said the mother of a two-year-old boy whom Lori watched at Bright Beginnings. She turned to Susannah. “My son adores Lori. But then, all the kids do. Parents, too.”

Susannah smiled at Lori. “I can see why. I'm signing her up as soon as my daughter is ready for preschool. I’ve already requested for Lori to be her teacher.”

“But there’s a lot more interesting things to talk about with Lori,” said one of the mothers. “I saw you walk in with that handsome man.”

“He’s a new partner at the law firm,” said Susannah. “Guy Phillips.”

“He looks like Chris Hemsworth,” said another woman.

They turned to see Guy holding two drinks in his hands and facing Cynthia, who was leaning toward him as if expecting a kiss.

“There’s that obnoxious woman,” muttered one of the mothers. “She hit on my husband one night when she didn’t know I was around.”

Guy noticed Lori in the group and headed their way, ignoring Cynthia trailing after him.

“ ’Evening, ladies,” said Guy. “I’ve got a drink for Lori. Can I get a drink for anyone else?”

When no one spoke up, Guy said, “Excuse me. I’ll be back. I see Steven’s just arrived, and I want to talk with him.”

“I’ll go greet his wife, Nicole,” said Susannah.

After she left the group, one of the mothers hugged Lori. “I’m glad to see you dating. It looks like you got the hot guy everyone has been talking about. Just think. If things work out, we could be neighbors.”

“Whoa,” said another mother. “Don’t push her into anything. Right, Lori?”

“Yes, but I appreciate your encouragement,” Lori responded.

From across the room, Susannah signaled her to join her and two other women.

On the way, Lori noticed Cynthia whispering to a couple of her friends as the three of them stared at her.

She straightened her back and continued walking.

###

Susannah introduced Lori to Nicole Franklin, who looked to be in her fifties, and to Barbara Smith, whom she knew to be in her sixties and was about to retire with her husband to Florida.