Page 80 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

Disappointment trailed through her when she realized she wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself in California while her father lay ill. She had to see him for herself to know that he was all right. He was too young to die. But then, Nick had been, too.

She took a sip of tea and sighed. Not long ago, she’d announced almost nonchalantly that life was always changing, unaware hers had very dramatically done so.

A knock sounded at the door.

Startled, Lori checked the time. Six o’clock.

She went to the door, peeked out, and let out a breath of relief at seeing Griff.

“While I was jogging, I saw the light on. Are you all right?” he asked.

“Come on in,” she said, opening the door to him. “I’ve been fighting nightmares, and I’m afraid to go back to sleep.”

“Why don’t I stay here on the couch, so you won’t be afraid?” Griff said, sensitive to how she’d told him earlier that she needed to be alone.

“Would you do that for me?” she said.

“Of course,” he answered. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”

“That would be so helpful. I’m physically tired, but my brain has been working overtime.” She led him to the couch. “Mind if I curl up next to you? I don’t even want to be in my bed.”

“Go ahead. Come here. There’s a blanket for us both,” Griff said, sitting on the couch and letting her curl up next to him.

Sighing, Lori leaned against him and closed her eyes.

She didn’t know what time it was when Griff shook her awake. “It’s okay, Lori. It’s okay.”

Lori touched her wet cheeks and drew in a breath. “I’m sorry. The dreams about my past trauma with my husband keep coming back.”

Griff rubbed her back in comforting circles and drew her closer. “You’re okay. Everything will be fine.”

Exhausted, she closed her eyes.

Much later, when she opened them, she was alone on the couch. She sat up and gazed around, but there was no sign of Griff.

Lori stretched and picked up her cell. She knew what she had to do.

When she Facetimed her sisters and told them she was leaving a day early, the looks on their faces told the story of her own disappointment.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

GRIFF

Griff stood with other members of his family as Lori gave them one last wave goodbye before heading to the airport in San Francisco for her flight home. He struggled to hide his emotions. He and Lori had had a long talk about meeting up in the future, but while they obviously loved being together, neither suggested anything more than keeping in touch.

As her car disappeared from view, Griff chided himself for not saying what was in his heart, that he wanted her to return to give their relationship a more serious chance at something permanent.

But Lori had been distraught enough from her nightmares that he didn’t dare take the chance of appearing not to care about that. He had to refrain from talking about himself and his own desires.

Without saying a word, Sarita put her arm around him and squeezed as she’d done many times when he was a child facing disappointment.

He turned to her.

“It’s up to you to live the life of your dreams,” said Sarita.

“Have I ever thanked you enough for being you?” he asked with affection.

She hugged him. “Just be happy.”