to be about us getting to know each other. If we go somewhere too fancy, someone there will cause a scene, asking for an autograph or something. I don’t want us to deal with that tonight. Is seven okay?”
“Seven it is then,” she answered with another smile. “I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Turning, she headed back into the hotel, glancing over her shoulder at him one last time.
Jason smiled more than he had in several months. “Now,” he said to himself, “I have a couple of hours to find something to change into, and to find a hotel room. I think I will be staying here for the next two days.”
Once Rebekah got upstairs to the meeting room, just about every teacher from the conference was waiting for her. All had heard of her meeting him this afternoon and they each wanted to know what Jason Taylor was really like. She graciously answered their questions, trying to get out of there as quickly as she could, wanting as few people as possible to know about tonight. Finally, she was able to leave. Taking Kate with her, she left for her room. “I’m having dinner with him tonight,” she whispered as soon as they were out of earshot of everyone else.
“You’re what?” Kate squealed. Although Rebekah and Kate were best friends, Kate lived here in New York. Between everything that had happened with her husband and the physical distance separating them it had been a long time since they had the opportunity to share secrets like school girls.
“He asked me to dinner tonight, and I’m going,” Rebekah repeated.
“Good for you.”
Rebekah’s head whipped around and her eyes widened in shock. “What? No lecture?”
“No, Rebekah. I told you earlier. It’s time you moved on with your life. It’s been over a year,” Kate finished quietly.
“I know, Kate. It’s just, I don’t know if I can do this again. And besides, what’s the point? I leave in two days.”
“So? Go, have fun tonight. Enjoy his company, and stop worrying so much!”
“Fine, then help me pick out something to wear that doesn’t scream ‘teacher.’”
Two hours and many outfit changes later, Rebekah was ready to go. She had borrowed a blue, off-the-shoulder top from Kate, and had it on with her black pants. Her hair hung down past her shoulders, slightly curled, and she had a minimal amount of makeup on. “How do I look?” she asked Kate, giving a slight twirl.
“Amazing. Something tells me he will be speechless, and it is time for you to go down to the lobby.”
“Thank you Kate, for your help, and for your words earlier.”
“Have fun tonight. I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow.”
They walked to the elevator together and Kate gave Rebekah a hug. She knew this was hard for Rebekah, but she also knew it was time. She had grieved long enough.
As soon as Rebekah stepped off the elevator in the lobby, she saw him. ‘Good gosh, that man is sexy,’ she thought, immediately trying to shake that thought from her head. “Just friends,” she told herself, but she was having a hard time convincing herself of that as she watched him standing there in dark slacks and a gray, button up shirt. She could see his muscles outlined through the material of the shirt. When he turned around, he froze. She looked beautiful, and she was going to dinner with him.
“Hi,” she said quietly as she got closer. When he did not respond, she gave a small laugh, thinking of Kate’s words, ‘he will probably be speechless.’ Her heart gave a small flutter when she realized he was. “Earth to Jason,” she called out, trying to get his attention.
He shook his head slightly; trying to convince himself this wasn’t a dream. “Hi,” he replied, grinning sheepishly. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Are you ready?” he asked, offering her his hand. She took it gratefully, and again, her heart fluttered at the simple touch.
“Yes,” she
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