Page 40 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Yes, but it might be that I’m simply not used to dating. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Any relationship needs time to grow. That’s all.”

“I get that. Just be ready and open to a new situation. Guy has a nice reputation, is attractive, and has an interesting job. All of them important qualities.”

“I know,” said Lori. “I’ll try to go along with it. Oh dear, I hear Hudson crying. I won’t keep you. Thanks for the call.”

Lori ended the conversation and set her phone down. She hadn’t mentioned to anyone in her family or among her friends that she’d met an intriguing man in Florida over the New Year’s Day weekend. She didn’t intend to say anything about it now. It had become a treasured time in her mind. But were those moments with him holding her back? She’d had more than one sexy dream about him.

###

When she went into work, Janie, Dawn, and Cara clustered around her, asking her how the date with Guy went.

Laughing at all the questions peppered at her, Lori held up her hands. “Stop. Enough. The dinner dance was lovely, my red dress was perfect, and I had a pleasant time with Guy.”

“That’s it?” asked Cara, whose personal goal was to find a man to marry within the next year.

“Well, I got to sit at the table with all of Guy’s partners and their spouses. Susannah Bingham, whose daughter, Elle, is already signed up for next year, is very sweet. I hope to see more of her. She made the evening very comfortable for me.”

“She and her husband are decent people,” said Janie. “I had an excellent interview with them. Guess we’d all better get to work. I’m glad you had an enjoyable evening, Lori. It’s about time you did.”

“Thanks,” said Lori, realizing how much the school and the people in it had done for her since Nick’s death. She followed Janie into her office.

“I’d like to reserve the first week in April as vacation time,” said Lori.

“Are you going somewhere?” Janie asked.

“Guy won a trip to California wine country and has given me all the details to handle,” she said, unable to stop a smile from spreading across her face. Maybe, just maybe, she’d have a chance to see Griffin Sawyer again.

“Okay,” said Janie. “I’ve made a note of it. There should be no conflict with our other teachers.”

“Thanks,” Lori said. “I’ll let you know if there are any changes.”

She left the office feeling like dancing, wishing time would hurry up.

###

After a week of not hearing from Guy, Lori decided that he might have changed his mind about dating her. Every single woman his age was dying to go out with him, and she was loaded down with baggage from the past. She couldn’t blame him for backing off.

Lori was relieved when Susannah called the following week to invite her to a girls’ night out event.

“We’ll meet for drinks at Sal’s Thursday night at six. I hope you’ll join us,” said Susannah.

“I’d be delighted,” said Lori. “That will give me time to go home and change.”

“Fantastic. I’ll see you there,” said Susannah. “You’ll like the other women in the group, but I’ll make sure to get there early to introduce you to them.”

“Sounds fantastic. Thanks,” said Lori. She knew a couple of the women in the group through Bright Beginnings and liked them. More to the point, it was a new incentive to get out of the house and do some things for herself.

###

That Thursday, she was changing her clothes at her house when Guy called. “I’m wondering if you’re free tomorrow night. We could go to a movie or do whatever you’d like.”

Lori hesitated. He’d called late in the week without specific plans. “Thanks for the invitation, but I’m busy this weekend. I’m babysitting Aurelia’s daughters so she and Gordon can go away.” She wouldn’t ask him to join her during that time.

“Oh, okay. Just thought I’d ask,” said Guy. “I hope all is well with you. Talk to you later.”

Lori ended the call, realizing she didn’t really care about being too busy to go out with him. If she was honest with herself, the magic she wanted with him wasn’t there. But she’d always be grateful for his interest and for making her try to be more social.

She finished getting ready and headed out to Sal’s, an upscale bar that served excellent food. A great place to meet and chat with new people.