CHAPTER FIVE
LORI
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.
“You don’t know my family. They’ll have us married in no time. “
He grimaced. “I get it. Thanks for helping me.”
“No one needs to know the truth. That might get us both into trouble with our families,” said Lori. “Now, we’ll have to find some unsuspecting older man who’d be willing to let me take a photo of him.”
Griff chuckled. “Like I said, I get it. I’m considered a fair catch back home.”
Lori took a sip of her drink and was quiet.
With his looks, his job, and the fact that he was likeable, there was every reason for him to be at the top of any woman’s wish list. It helped her understand why he had no interest in any relationship now or in the future. He was hurting from humiliation.
He proved how right she was when he wished her goodnight a little later without even trying to kiss her.
###
The next morning, Lori awoke early and lay in bed thinking about her friendship with Griff.
It would be tempting to change her feelings for him, but she knew he didn’t want that.
And neither did she. Not with someone like him.
His life in California would be a major obstacle for them.
Why start something that was never going to work?
Satisfied with her honest evaluation of the situation, she decided to get up and go for a walk on the beach. She loved being in this warm weather, especially knowing that back home, there was snow on the ground.
Lori pulled on the comfortable shorts and T-shirt she’d brought, laced up her worn sneakers and headed out. Though there was a chill in the air, she knew it would warm up.
She bypassed the pool area and walked through the beach to the hardpacked sand by the water’s edge.
Though she jogged outside at home on the weekends whenever she could, she wasn’t consistent enough to be a real enthusiast. Still, as she began to move, she felt her muscles begin to loosen and loved the onshore breeze in her hair.
Lori wasn’t sure how far she’d traveled before finally stopping to catch her breath. She looked up to see Griff trotting easily toward her. Her pulse raced. By the time he approached her, the pace of her heartbeat was under better control.
“Good morning. I didn’t know you were a runner.”
“Actually, more like a weekend slow jogger,” she said. “But I love being outdoors. It’s a beautiful day and a lovely spot. What could be better than this?”
“Nothing,” he said. “Uh-oh. That man you don’t like is approaching from behind you.”
“Quick. Let’s go,” she said.
“Too late,” he said.
As she turned around to face Brock Goodwin, Griff took hold of her hand and pulled her closer so there would be no mistaking that they were together.
Lori gave him a grateful look.
“ ’Morning, neighbors,” Brock said, giving them a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you enjoying your stay at The Beach House Hotel? I bet the place is bustling with important people.”
“Hello,” said Griff. “We’re having an awesome time.”
Lori remained quiet. She’d signed a confidentiality agreement and wasn’t about to talk about other guests. Especially not the famous star she’d noticed in the restaurant last night.
“Oh, well, I guess I’d better be on my way. I’m trying to keep in shape so I can enjoy the New Year’s Eve party at the hotel tonight. As president of the Neighborhood Association, I should always attend. Hope to see you there.” He rested his gaze on Lori.
Lori clutched Griff’s hand, loving the feel of his protective fingers around her palm.
“We’ll be there. Together,” said Griff.
They watched Brock trot away from them and turned to one another.
“That man gives me the shivers,” said Lori. “I’m glad you were here with me.”
“Yeah. He’s a pompous ass,” said Griff. He gave her hand another squeeze before releasing it. “Do you have any plans for the day?”
“I thought I’d go downtown and look in some shop windows,” she said. “I’ve read that Sabal is full of cute shops and excellent restaurants.”
“Want company?” asked Griff. “I don’t know how many shops I’m willing to go in. But I would like to see the town.”
“I’d like the company, and I wouldn’t ask a seventy-year-old man to do much shopping with me,” she said.
He laughed. “We still need to find a willing person to take a picture with you. I’ll make that my task when we go to town.”
“He has to have a friendly face,” she said, chuckling at the idea.
“Got it,” said Griff. “Why don’t I meet you in the lobby before lunch and we can eat downtown?”
“That sounds wonderful. It’ll give me a chance to relax and read,” Lori said.
As Griff took off in the opposite direction, Lori headed back to the hotel. She’d been shy about telling Griff that she had a morning appointment at the spa for a facial.
###
After a light breakfast of coffee and the best cinnamon roll she’d ever eaten, Lori headed to the spa to enjoy a treat from her mother.
The minute she walked inside the spa she inhaled a mixture of citrus and lavender.
A pretty girl behind the desk said, “Welcome. How may I help you?”
“I have an appointment for a facial. The name is Loralie Hamlin.”
“Oh, yes. We’ve been expecting you. Anna will be taking care of you. Please come this way, and I’ll direct you to the dressing area.”
Lori was led to a locker room.
“After changing into a robe, please make yourself comfortable. Anna will be with you shortly,” said the receptionist.
Lori took off her outer clothes and put on a white terrycloth robe, then slipped into the spa slippers provided for her.
In an area off the locker room, comfortable chairs were placed in a seating area. A clear glass pitcher of water containing a few cucumber slices sat on a table in the middle of the circle of chairs. Pretty cut-glass goblets sat beside it.
Lori sat, gazed around at the potted plants, and noticed how spotless everything was. A woman sitting across the circle smiled at her. “Is this your first time here?”
“Yes,” said Lori. “It looks inviting.”
“It’s one of the best,” said the woman. “I come here as often as I can to feel refreshed and healthy.”
Lori couldn’t guess her age. She didn’t look old enough to have gray hair.
A tall, broad shouldered woman entered the room. “Loralie?”
Lori stood. “That’s me.”
“I’m Anna,” the woman said. “I’ll be taking care of you today. Please come with me.”
Lori followed her to a private room where a massage table covered with sheets awaited her. Scented, lit candles emitted an aroma of lavender in the dimly lit room. Soft, soothing music filled the air.
“I will be massaging your neck and shoulders. You might want to remove your bra if you’re wearing one under the robe,” said Anna. “It’s up to you. In any case, I want you to remove the robe, slip under the sheet and blanket, and lie on your back. I’ll leave the room while you do that.”
Lori did as she was asked and waited for Anna to return.
Moments later, Anna quietly slid into the room. “I’ll begin by rubbing a cleansing lotion on your face. You can relax and close your eyes. Listen to the music and allow the tension to leave you as I begin my work. Many times, my clients fall asleep. Feel free to do that.”
As strong as Anna appeared, her hands were as gentle as feathers on Lori’s skin.
Thinking of the past couple of years, Lori closed her eyes and told herself to let go.
She didn’t realize tears had slipped onto her cheeks until she felt Anna gently pat them off with a soft cloth.
“It’s okay,” Anna whispered when Lori started to apologize. “Relax.”
Lori closed her eyes and felt her mind drift back to the day she’d married Nick. It was such a happy time. Nick adored her, and she loved him just as much. He made her feel treasured, beautiful, and smart. They were a team facing the world. Little did they know how cruel that world would become.
As Anna continued rubbing her skin with oils, massaging her neck and shoulders, Lori let out a sigh.
When he knew he didn’t have much longer to live, Nick remained as sweet and kind as ever.
Keeping him company, assuring he was as comfortable as possible, she’d helped maintain a sense of peace and love for him, though she raged inside at the injustice of such an illness at his young age.
When it was over, including the funeral and all that went with it, Lori felt as if she’d never laugh or be happy again.
It was the children at the school who’d helped her past that stage.
Though she wasn’t ready for a new relationship, she’d always known she wanted children of her own.
“We’re finished,” said Anna softly. “I’ll leave the room, and you can put on your robe. When I come back, I’ll bring you some water. It’s important for you to drink it.”
Lori blinked with surprise, wondering where the time had gone. She lifted her hands and touched her cheeks, feeling their softness.
Alone in the room, Lori put on her robe and waited for Anna to return.
A few minutes later, Anna arrived with a glass of water. She handed it to Lori, and then Anna wrapped her arms around her. “Whatever is troubling you, it will be all right.”
Lori looked up into her kind eyes. “Thank you.”
Anna opened the door. “You might want to sit for a while before getting dressed and leaving. I hope to see you again. You’re lovely.”
Lori bit back tears, feeling like a new person in many ways.