Infatuation (18+)

Part Two: Chapter Twelve

On Friday morning after passing Blaine in the hallway at work, I consider the possibility of us going on a date. I've been thinking constantly since talking to Eleanor about my post-divorce dating scene woes. Maybe what I need is to go out on a real date. Dinner and a movie. Something I haven't done in years.

Blaine is clearly interested in me. We've spent months dancing around the subject, flirting and staring. Why shouldn't I give him a chance?

Oh... right... maybe because he's my boss and that could create some problems between myself and my coworkers? Preferential treatment. The whispers. "Of course she got the promotion, she's screwing the boss." That wouldn't be fun because I love this job and I wouldn't want it to become a toxic workplace where everyone believes I got to where I am for the wrong reasons.

I can't keep making excuses about why I can't date or be with someone, though. Blaine is a good guy and I should at least go on one date with him to see how things go.

Between projects, I send him an email. I've been thinking a lot about what you asked me the other day.

He replies almost immediately. You have?

Biting my lip, I type my response. Of course. Why wouldn't I think about it?

I'm a little surprised because I was expecting you to take a little more time. Have you changed your mind about this weekend?

Deep breath. It's time, Lorelei. Yes, I have. What do you have in mind?

Do you have any cocktail dresses?

Huh? What would I need a cocktail dress for?

Well, do you?

Yes, I do.

I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow night.

~~~

Blaine didn't give me any more details other than needing a cocktail dress, so when Saturday night comes I'm a nervous wreck. I spend half the day going through my closet to narrow down the best option and settle on my little black dress. It's the one I bought not long after I first moved out on my own. I told myself it was a rite of passage and I deserved to have something I can feel beautiful in that could go with anything.

I pair it with some hot pink stilettos and a matching pink faux pearl necklace, then I try my best to do an evening look with my makeup. For years I never bothered with beautifying myself. Putting on my face generally meant a foundation and some mascara. Maybe some nude eyeshadow and a tinted lip gloss. Since I'm on that dating scene again, it made sense to try something new. Turns out, I enjoy putting makeup on and learning new techniques.

When I finish, it doesn't look perfect, but it's definitely the best I've done so far. I glance at the clock and see it's almost time for Blaine to arrive, which sends my heartbeat into overdrive. I shouldn't feel so nervous because I know him, but it's the first official date I've been on... Well, in a really long time.

Blaine is a man of his word as he knocks on my door at seven on the dot. I wring my hands together on the way to the door before I open it to find him standing before me in a tux and bowtie.

I blink at him a couple of times before saying, "Wow."

"Wow yourself," he says, his eyes giving me the up and down. It takes him a moment before he pulls himself together, extending an arm for me. "Shall we?"

We walk downstairs and he directs me toward his black town car, complete with a driver in the front seat. It only takes about ten minutes to arrive at our destination, which is a fancy hotel somewhere downtown. The driver drops us off at the door and I see a sign saying it's called The Sebastian Suites.

I've never been inside of this place, mostly due to not needing a hotel in my own area, but it is genuinely gorgeous inside. Red curtains, cream-colored walls, and lovely Victorian seating throughout the lobby. I feel like I've been transported through time.

The two of us make our way to the great hall where the event is taking place. It's equally as elegant as the main lobby, but with variances in colors and style. While it still has an eighteen hundreds sort of feel to it, there's also some modern elements as well. All the tables have silver trays with burning pillar candles in the center.

Blaine asks, "Would you like to have some wine or champagne?"

"A glass of champagne would be nice."

"Wait here. I'll get us drinks."

Before I can protest, he's gone and I'm left all by myself. I think to myself, Great, now complete strangers are going to come up to me and I won't know what to say.

And as though they could hear my thoughts, a brunette woman and a dark-haired man walk toward me. The woman says, "Hello there. I saw you come in with Blaine Jensen. He and my brother went to college together. How do you do? My name is Ginger and this is my fiancee Nicholas."

The navy blue and white dress she's wearing reminds me of the nautical bathroom at my aunt's house. I have to hold back the giggle as I reply politely, "Nice to meet you both. I'm Lorelei."

"Nice to meet you, too. How do you know Blaine?"

"We work together. I'm one of his marketing strategists."

"Oh, do you now?" She raises an eyebrow, as though she has something else she wants to say. "Well, that's quite nice."

"What's nice?" Blaine asks as he approaches us, handing over my drink.

Ginger's cheeks redden slightly. "Lorelei just told me that the two of you work together."

"We do. Lorelei's one of my best employees. Saved us on more than one occasion with that top-notch brain of hers." He faces me, giving me the warmest smile.

Now I can feel my cheeks reddening. "I wouldn't be where I am without you, Blaine."

After a few seconds of silence, Nicholas speaks up to chat with Blaine about something business related. Thank goodness. At least it keeps me from having to make small talk with Ginger, even though I am curious as to what her eyebrow raise from a minute ago meant.

Blaine excuses us, then takes my elbow in his to guide us toward a small group of people near the front of the hall. "Sorry for leaving you alone to be accosted by Ginger."

"Oh, it's fine. You came just before she was about to spill all your secrets." I accompany my teasing comment with a smirk.

"Oh, was she now?" Blaine asks. "I prefer spilling my own secrets." He gives me a wink.

We mingle with different people for another hour or so. Blaine is clearly reaching the point where he no longer wants to be here, so I tell him, "We can leave if you'd like."

"You read my mind." He leans down and whispers in my ear, "Would you like to come back to my place for a nightcap?"

When he says this, I know what he's implying. It isn't just a drink to finish off the night. I'm sure it could be if that's what I wanted and he would respect that. However, by the tone in his voice and the way his hand is touching my waist tell me what he would really like. Is that what I want? My desire for Blaine is clear and I would want nothing more than to have another kiss from him. One that leads to something more. Am I ready for this?

I turn to him, our faces inches apart, and say, "Yes, I would love to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm loving writing about the way Lorelei has been adapting to her new life and her love interests.

What do you think is in store for Lorelei and Blaine next?