He didn't drive far and parked in front of a hotel.  It's a beautiful old building and caught my eye before we even arrived.  My car door was open by valet and Blaine also gave them his keys.  As soon as we walked inside, I almost gasped out loud. 

It was like a picture out of a 1920's magazine.  Even the waitresses dressed to the theme.  The marble floors were beautiful, old music played lightly in the background, and wood carvings gave it a special touch. 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lowell.  Would you like your usual table?" A cute blonde hostess asked.

"Yes, please."

"I'll have it set up for two, it'll just be a moment." She said. 

I was looking around in amazement, when I realized he was looking at me.

"I believe that smile on your face indicates you approve?" He asked, and I just nodded my head and looked up at him.

"It's...I've never seen anything like it."

"They offer a very large menu, that is if you're feeling better?" He asked.

I smiled up at him.  "Yes, thank you."

There is a dark wood grand staircase that's large and the landing looks like another big room, then I see more steps wrap around and go the other direction. 

"What's up there?" I pointed, and he leaned down so I could hear him.

"A theater, and to the right is the ballroom.  There are also hotel rooms upstairs." He said.

I turned my head to look up at him.  "Thank you for bringing me, I might be speechless."

His eyes grew larger.  "That happens?  Amazing, I didn't think it was possible." He chuckled.

I gave him a smile and didn't make any remarks back to him. 

The hostess came back and showed us to our seats, and it wasn't surprising when Blaine held my chair out for me.  I sat, and he took his seat across from me.  Damn, now I have to pee.  I'm not even that far along, why am I peeing all the time?

"Excuse me, I need to visit the ladies room." He stood when I did, of course.

"It's to the right of that statue." He said, and I saw where he meant.

"Thank you." I walked where he said to go, then down a hallway to the bathroom.  At this point, it's an urgent need, so I quickly ducked into the first stall. 

While I was taking care of business, I hear the door open and two women walk into the room.

"Blaine is such a good man. Ciara has no idea what she had when she let him walk away." One said, and it caught my attention.

"I talked to her last week. She was home from France, and it's like they were never married.  He was desperate for children, but she put her career first." The other one said.

"Did you know she never even came here with him?  He poured so much of himself into this place when he bought it, and she didn't even care." I heard the water turn on.

He owns this place?

"Well, he is here with a beautiful woman today." The water shut off.  I'm done peeing, but I want to hear this gossip.

"Yeah, but she looks like her clothes are from Target, the Lowell's will eat her alive.  Maybe she was one of Cassidy's friends."

"Right, like Blaine would ever be seen with one of them.  That's probably why she disappeared, she was around the wrong kind of people."

I heard a lipstick cap pop off.

"Maybe I'll see if Blaine has a date to the Catholic Charities Ball."

"Right, he would never date Cassidy's best friend."

Best friend?

The door opened and shut and they are gone.  I finally escaped the stall and washed my hands before joining Blaine. I must of had a pissed off look on my face, I did not buy my clothes at Target.

"Are you okay?" Blaine stood.

"Yeah, I just learned I wouldn't have liked Cassidy's friends." I sat down and saw a menu in front of me.

"Oh, I did see them walk in behind you.  Let me guess, they had some things to say?"

I shook my head.  "They're just stuck up.  I waited in my stall for them to leave, they brought up Cassidy." That's all he needs to know.

"Women like those two don't have many kind words to say.  This would be why they are still single." He smiled a little.

"So you would never date them?" I asked.

"No, they don't have much to offer.  Cassidy didn't like either of those girls, and they were very jealous.  My sister was too free-spirited for life here in New York." He said, and I smiled at him, then he smiled back.  Best friend my ass.

"What?" He asked.

"You didn't tell me you owned this place."

He leaned forward.  "What do you really think?  I loved building it, and I could give you a tour."

"It's amazing, the architecture alone amazed me.  Then I saw the art on the walls and this 1920's feel, I'm in love.  Would you really give me a tour?"

He smiled with pride.  "I would love to give you the grand tour."

"Thank you, but what about Cassidy?" I only have the one day here.

He smiled.  "This was Cassidy's dream...well, toned down a tad.  She wanted it to offer a speakeasy, but my parents wouldn't allow.  So, I just decided on a restaurant and lounge." He said.

"So we are here for sentimental reasons?" I asked as I looked around and realized this has Lisa written all over it.

"Well, somewhat I guess.  I hoped you would have liked the menu, and maybe she might have said anything to make you believe she knew I built it?" He asked, and right now my heart is breaking for him.

"I'm sorry, she never brought up New York.  I am sure she knew, she could have seen these things on the internet.  We worked for a news station, so these kind of searches would not have looked suspicious." I said, and he just nodded.

"I understand."

The waitress came and we ordered. I decided on a salad with grilled chicken and, unfortunately, he ordered salmon and the smell did me no good.