Page 4 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“In hindsight, it wasn’t a sustainable match. We should never have tried to go through with it. She’s with someone else, and I am here on my own.” Griff couldn’t believe he’d told a stranger his humiliating situation. But while Lori seemed sympathetic, she didn’t try to smooth it over. That made him feel better.

They smiled at one another before Lori got to her feet. “Again, I’m sorry, but it sounds like you might have dodged even more trouble. Thanks for your help.”

Griff watched her walk away, relieved she had no desire to hunt for a man. If he was interested in a relationship with someone new, he’d put her at the top of his list. With her curly brown hair and that hot little body of hers, she was a winner.

CHAPTER THREE

LORI

Lori walked away from one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen. Rugged facial features, butterscotch-colored hair, a wiry body with broad shoulders and a tight ass, he was delectable. Too bad she wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship with anyone of the opposite sex. Thank God, he’d come along to save her from the jackass who’d been overly friendly. Creepy, actually. The man looked old enough to be a grandfather.

She went back to her room and stretched out on a deck chair on her patio where she’d have privacy. Tonight, she had dinner reservations in the hotel restaurant and was looking forward to a delicious meal in an elegant setting. It might seem odd to be there alone, but she didn’t care.

Closing her eyes, she leaned back and allowed herself to relax in the sun.

Sometime later, Lori awoke and realized she’d been asleep in her chair for a couple of hours. She tenderly touched her cheek. Though she’d put on sun lotion, she had the awful feeling that freckles had appeared on her face.

Lori went inside to check on her skin and to take a shower. She intended to do as her family asked and enjoy all aspects of staying in such a luxurious hotel. She’d already made restaurant reservations and was going to check out the cocktail lounge before dinner. By now, she was accustomed to being alone in social situations and would always take her phone with her.

After drying herself off from her shower, Lori tried to fuss with her hair and realized that with the humidity in Florida, she should go for a naturally curly look. It was what it was.

She used eyeliner, shadow, and mascara, and felt better about herself. If nothing else, her eyes were attractive. She gave her reflection in the mirror a nod of satisfaction and turned away. At home, she almost never wore makeup. But then, she spent most of her days with toddlers who didn’t care.

Feeling special, she left her room and walked to the lobby lounge to begin her evening. As she walked in, she saw the obnoxious man from the beach sitting at the bar and quickly headed in the opposite direction.

Griff was sitting alone at a small table, saw her, and waved her over. “It’s pretty crowded. You’re welcome to sit here.”

Lori gazed around and saw that Griff was right. “Thanks. I didn’t want to sit at the bar where the creepy guy is.”

Griff turned and looked at Brock Goodwin. “No,” he said. “You’re better off away from him. What’ll you have? I have a glass of wine on the way. Testing our competitors.”

“Really? You’re in the wine business?” Lori said, taking a seat at the table while Griff assisted her.

“Yes. My grandfather, Samuel Sawyer, owns a boutique winery in Napa Valley. Maybe you’ve heard of Adeline Hills Winery?”

There was a note of pride in Griff’s voice that Lori recognized. She added, “Everyone who loves food and wine has heard of it. Though I’ve never had a taste of it, I’m sure it’s special. Do they sell it here?”

“No, but I’m going to talk to the owners about it. Most of our wines are reserved ahead, which is why you won’t find them everywhere. But this hotel is prestigious enough to be well-suited to our wines. Something my grandfather insists upon.”

“What are you drinking?” Lori asked.

“I’ve chosen an Oregon pinot noir,” Griff answered. “They have their own distinctive taste, and I wanted to sample it. Would you like to try it with me?” At Lori’s nod, he signaled the waitress and asked for a second glass of wine to be sent.

Moments later, the waitress delivered the wine to their table, along with a bowl of small, simple crackers.

Griff offered her a cracker. “This will help cleanse our palate so we can get a true taste of the wine.”

Lori took a cracker and ate it. Then, at Griff’s suggestion, she lifted the glass. She watched as Griff swirled the wine in the glass, then inhaled the bouquet, and with a nod of satisfaction, took a sip, letting it sit in his mouth for a moment before swallowing it.

When she sniffed the wine, Griff said, “What do you smell?”

“I think I smell berries and something else. Would it be crazy to say grass?”

Griff smiled. “Not at all. You have a talented nose for the subtleties of wine.”

“Special, unexpected occasions like this call for it,” Lori said. “But, in truth, I don’t drink much wine.”

Griff pretended to clutch his heart. “Your words wound me. A glass of wine is healthy for the body and soul.”