Page 8 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

Lori followed Griff up the winding stairway to the second floor to carved, wooden double doors. Griff swiped his room key card against the entry pad and then swung open a door.

“Come in. I promise to be a gentleman,” he said with a teasing grin.

She laughed and walked into the entry, which contained a center table holding a huge vase of fresh flowers. From that spot, she could look into the living room. A beautiful Oriental rug in shades of cream and blue covered the floor.

He took her arm. “There’s a balcony overlooking the garden. We can sit there if you’d like.”

“That sounds lovely. But may I tour the suite?” she asked. “I’ve never been in a Presidential Suite before.”

“Sure. While you do that, I’ll fix a nightcap for us. What would you like?”

“Something very light and citrusy,” she said, eyeing the kitchen, which from a distance appeared shiny and modern.

She went into the kitchen. Seeing how beautiful it was, how easy to work in, Lori couldn’t help sighing. Her kitchen at home needed upgrading. It was a project she and Nick were going to work on together.

From the kitchen, she made her way down a hallway, past a powder room to a guest room with a private bathroom. Already impressed, she went to the master suite.

It was a lovely room with another small balcony overlooking the hotel grounds and the Gulf waters beyond. When she stepped into the master bath, she stared at the gold fixtures at the dual sinks. She glanced at the toilet and bidet in a separate small room, noticed the deep soaking tub, then walked over to the double-sized shower with multiple showerheads.

“What do you think?” asked Griff, joining her.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Talk about ritzy. This is amazing.”

“Yeah,” agreed Griff. “And the shower is refreshing. Reminds me of a waterfall when I’m standing there.”

They left the bedroom and went back to the kitchen.

“Would you like to sit inside or out?” he asked, handing her a glass with a lime-topped drink.

“It’s still pleasant outside. Let’s sit on the balcony as you suggested,” said Lori.

Griff led her to the balcony overlooking the garden and held a chair for her at a small table. Then he took a seat opposite her.

“Thanks for joining me for dinner. Are you going to the New Year’s Eve party tomorrow night?” Griff asked her.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t have a ticket for it.”

“I do. Care to join me? It’s supposed to be a very special affair. I even brought my tux.” He grinned. “Pure defiance, I know.”

Lori laughed. She liked the fact that he was so honest with her.

“Well?”

“Okay. I’ll do it. I didn’t bring anything too fancy, but I have something that will do,” she said, silently thanking her sisters for insisting she bring her black cocktail dress.

“You’ll be fine. I’m just glad I won’t waste the tickets,” he said.

They smiled at one another, and Lori realized she was completely relaxed with him.

Her cell phone rang. Aurelia. She glanced at Griff.

“Go ahead and take it,” he said.

“Hi, Aurelia,” Lori said and listened. “Thanks. It’s lovely so far. I’m having a great time. Yes. Everyone is so kind.” She listened and laughed. “What I mean by everyone is a new friend I’ve made.” She glanced at Griff. “He’s in his seventies. A sweet man who’s agreed to have dinner with me.”

Griff raised his eyebrows, and Lori held back a laugh. “Okay, sis. I’ll talk to you later.”

“What’s this about me being an old man?” Griff asked.