Still bundled against the cold, we strolled along boulder-strewn paths and the ocean shore. Once again, Paul apologized. "I'm new at this business. God, I shouldn't have used that term! I'm new at dating, if that's what we're doing. I inquired about you because I wanted to see more of you and didn't want to screw it up by saying something stupid."
"You damn near did! I'm a private person and I was offended. I'm sorry if I over reacted. I had fun yesterday too. It was the first time in a very long while. I'm glad you called. I just don't want to be swept off my feet, even for a day or two." I added, "I'm not looking for a long term relationship."
"I am," he said, shocking me but he changed the subject before I could comment. He took my hand and suggested dinning at a quaint restaurant, fronting on the sea.
Conversation floated back to generalities over a delicious meal and wine with a price tag I didn't want to see. When a second bottle was opened, I cautioned it was a long drive back to Boston. Paul said he'd rent a limo for the return trip but when I raised my eyebrows he thought better of the idea and pushed the nearly full bottle my way. He abstained for the remainder of the evening. His abstinence left it up to waste-not, want-not me to drink more than my share. At his coaxing, I laid my head back on the seat for the return trip and promptly fell asleep. While I was mortified at my action, and hoped I didn't snore, Paul found it amusing.
My nap precluded worries on how this day would end, but as it happened there was no need for a should-I-shouldn't-I decision on my part. I wobbled to the front desk on Paul's arm and asked for the key to my newly assigned room. Paul kissed me lightly on the lips, and as soon as I'd fumbled my plastic card in the lock and opened my door, he was back on the elevator and gone. I couldn't make up my mind if I was relieved or disappointed as I entered my quarters but I knew I was too drunk to make a rational decision. I stumbled into my newly assigned room to find myself in a suite the likes of which I'd only seen in the movies.