Free DASHED DREAMS by Susan Worley-Bean Page B

we’re going to be escorted by Robert John Montgomery!” Emma said.
    “I’m going to get ready. Maybe he’ll be early,” Lynda said.
    Jillian smiled and walked into her suite.
    Opening her sheer curtains, Jillian stood at the window looking at an almost-duplicate view. She squeezed her hands together, pulled them up to underneath her chin, thinking: Jillian James, you’re a trained surgeon. You step up to a patient and with your confidence, you ease their pain and fears. But now I’m nervous…of what? The unknown, I guess. Girl, let go of your fears. It’s going to be a fun weekend.
    Shaking her head, as if to shake off her nervousness, Jillian consulted the event’s schedule, that noted tropical dress for tonight’s events. She turned on the radio, finding a country station, and with Reba singing to her, started to get ready. In the bathroom she turned up the volume, hopped into the shower.
    She was putting in her last earring in when the doorbell rang. Her heart sank, as panic hit. She mumbled, “So soon?”
    “Hi, Robert. Come on in.”
    “Hi, darlin’.”
    She stepped back and motioned him to enter. Standing next to her, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She stood frozen, again mesmerized by his cologne. He let go of her arm. “Ladies, good evening. I’m RJ Montgomery. Let me guess, you’re Emma and you’re Lynda.” He’d guessed right, Jillian had talked so much about them, he knew instantly who they were. He gave each one a quick hug.
    “I can’t believe I’m meeting you. Jillie said you were something. Boy, you smell dreamy. What is that you’re wearing?” Emma asked like a gushy fan.
    “Paco Rabonti. Glad you like it.”
    Jillian thought: Thanks, Em. I’ve been wondering myself, but didn’t want to ask.
    “Good Evening, Mr. Montgomery. How are you?” Lynda said.
    “It’s RJ, and I’m peachy.”
    Jillian finally got her wits about her and said, “Would you like to sit down?”
    “Nope, don’t think we have time. We should be going.” He looked at the three ladies standing next to one another and said, “I’m the luckiest man of all tonight. I have three beautiful women on my arm. Eat your heart out, Clint, here we come.”
    Lynda was wearing a long-sleeve rose-colored tunic top with a pair of white capris and high-heeled sandals. Emma was dressed a floral shift with a white cardigan tied loosely at her shoulders and also wore high heels.
    RJ stepped closer to Jillian.
    “You look fabulous tonight.”
    “Thank you. And Robert, you do, too.”
    “Jillie, it’s RJ.” That remark bothered Jillian. He was calling her a nickname only her friends used. Did he feel that comfortable with her, to be able to call her Jillie?
    “You got some sun.” Jillian said trying to make conversation.
    “Yeah, I was on the course most of the day making a fool of myself.”
    “There’s probably not a chance of that. From what I’ve read, you’re a pretty good golfer.”
    She felt red in the face, as if he’d think she was following his career. Suddenly she felt very uncomfortable in the clothes she had selected and the way she’d fixed her hair.
    Jillian had taken much care in selecting her wardrobe for the evening, wanting not to appear sloppy, but not too dressed-up. She selected a black v-necked sweater and black and white Hawaiian-floral capris. She wore black strap heels. She let her hair fall loose around her face. Her make-up was mineral make-up that never looks overpowering. She wore a new shade of lipstick, a brighter shade than usual. Her earrings were the ones she’d bought in Seattle. They were perfect for the outfit, black with gold tones.
    Robert wore a Tommy Bahama Hawaiian polo shirt over a pair of almost-white colored slacks. He wore top-siders with tan socks.
    “Hey, it looks like we coordinated our outfits. Great minds.”
    He was right. His shirt consisted of light-yellow hibiscus and was black and white in color. The collar and bands on his sleeves were