Driven By The Hero (Hero Romance 1) by Kalena Lyons

looked at Aubrey and Liz, both in form fitting dresses, with the same patronization as he had the two women he encountered at the bar of the Omni the night before. He felt a blasé sort of allure, about as average these days as skin cancer. Still, they stood out from the teeming women before him if solely on account of their youth. But Jack wasn’t here to play the Lothario. No, he was waiting for his nephew and his wife—who by now, were predictably over twenty minutes late. He stifled a yawn, looked as his watch, and sucked in air. Then, as she returned from the lobby bathroom, his eyes fell on Laura.
    He instantly recalled her from the scene in the elevator earlier that morning. But if she was merely pretty then, to Jack’s eyes she was positively devastating right now. Where he had only noticed an exhaustion some eight hours earlier, he noticed the vulnerability in her posture, her eyes, her uncertain smile; he sensed it permeating around her, and saw beneath a fluid and volatile spring that sent a rush of warmth through his spine. His eyes drank her in, even if she was unaware of his leering. She was too busy being introduced by her director to the organizers of the convention, making senseless small talk to take notice of the narrowing eyes of Jack DiStefano. He stood savoring her every gesture, every uneasy laugh, her soft voice floating through the cackle and chatter of the crowd directly to his ears. He was so caught up in his reverie that he didn’t even notice his nephew and wife make their way through the lobby.
    “Hey, Uncle Jack. Sorry we’re late, but we had to pick up Chrissy from her recital and drop her off at Lena’s mom’s for the evening.”
    Jack nodded politely, but couldn’t take his eyes off Laura. For one brief, fleeting moment, she turned her head in his direction and they caught one another’s eyes. They shared a sweet, sad smile before Jack turned to accompany his nephew to dinner.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    The conference, like it had been for the past two years she attended, was enough to make Laura fall asleep. Between the opening remarks and the introductory workshop on time management facilitation, she was looking sideways at the temptingly open doors of the hotel bar. She wondered just how uncouth it might be if she were to slip aside on pretext of using the bathroom to grab a quick drink, but decided against it. After all, one of the reasons her director had invited her there was to set a good example for Audrey and Liz.
    When 8:30 finally rolled around and it was time for dinner, both of them pulled Laura aside.
    Aubrey was already slightly tipsy went she whispered in Laura’s ear, “Laura… not for nothing, but we have some really good weed on us. Are you game?”
    It had been a good couple of months since the last time Laura decided to smoke pot. She took a look around her, and figured she could use a break to unwind. “Sure, why not? Where you want to light up?”
    The three of them walked outside into the back lot of the hotel, finding a desolate clump of bushes to stand by. Laura felt like she was back in her college days as they took turns passing around the joint, keeping a close eye to ensure hotel security didn’t spot them. They were completely isolated.
    “Is this what we have to look forward to?” Liz asked in a roundabout way.
    “I’m not quite sure what you mean,” replied Laura.
    “All of this… these conferences… this endless game of kissing up… is that what we need to do to get ahead?”
    Laura paused. It was true that there was very little either of them could learn from any of the workshops; that the whole point of the conventions was to appear motivated in the eyes of higher-ups. Still, she couldn’t help thinking that there was more to the question. What did it mean to be at a senior director level? Higher pay? Greater responsibility? What about personal fulfillment? What about challenge? What about joy?
    Why did she waste so many years in college