Title: Ignorance Doesn't Last

Author: Coneflower Adams

Rating: PG-13

Summary: After a year and a half, Lisa is finally convinced to move on with her life after a regular guest at the Lux asks her out. Everything is going well until a horrible secret is revealed and she is forced to trust a man who tried to take her life.

Chapter 1: Ethan Ramsey

The Lux Atlantic was teeming with guests, checking in and out, coming and going. Lisa and Cynthia were on their toes checking in guests and taking care of their wants. The attack on Kiefe had slowed business down, but not for long. It felt good to Lisa to feel normal again. It took months of working through her fears. She worked hard to get her life back on track again. Jackson Rippner had done damage, but she wasn't going to let that stop her.

Around noon, the rush of guests had slowed letting Lisa and Cynthia take a breather.

"My feet are already killing me," Lisa said, rubbing her aching heel as she sat in the high swivel chair behind the front desk.

"That's why I like wearing flat heels," replied Cynthia. "Much easier to stand in all day." Her eye caught someone walking toward them. A broad smile crossed her lips as she said, "Here comes your boyfriend."

Lisa turned, and then groaned. Sure enough, Mr. Ethan Ramsey was approaching them, a small leather bag hung from his shoulder and a briefcase was in his hand. He was attractive for the most part. Tall with a medium build, dark brown eyes to match his short dark hair. His nose was slightly large, but that didn't take away from his charming smile that lit his face. Cynthia had taken a liking to Ethan the first time he showed up at the Lux three months ago, but he seemed to favor Lisa.

"Good day, Mr. Ramsey," Lisa said, smiling.

"Hello, Miss Reisert," he replied, setting his briefcase on the marble floor. He nodded to Cynthia. "Miss Burns."

"Welcome back, Mr. Ramsey," said Cynthia, blushing slightly.

Lisa typed up Ethan's reservation. She could feel his eyes on her, making her squirm uncomfortably. She looked up with a nervous smile, and handed him his room's key card. "Will you be needing anything else today?"

"Yes, I would." A sly smile crossed Ethan's face. "You."

"Excuse me?" Lisa choked out.

Ethan chuckled at her confused expression. "What time do you get off work?"

Lisa glanced down at the computer monitor, her hand playing with pen on the desk. "Around six this evening."

"Perfect. I have a buisness meeting, but will be free around that time. Would you join me for dinner at The Rio?"

The question churned in Lisa's head. She couldn't believe a guest was asking her out! It worried her more than excited her though. "I'm not sure"
Ethan leaned against the desk, his brown eyes boring into hers. "C'mon, Miss Reisert. I'd very much enjoy your company."

Lisa felt an elbow nudge her in the side, and wanted to kick Cynthia for it. She smiled nervously again. "I guess it would be all right to have dinner."

"I'm glad that you will be joining me then." Ethan bent to retrieve his briefcase. "6:15 tonight?"

"6:15," Lisa agreed. "I'll be there."

She watched Ethan until he disappeared into an elevator. Cynthia was about to burst, and Lisa jumped when she clunched her forearm. "You are so lucky, Leese!"

"I'm not sure I did the right thing," Lisa replied, still staring at the closed elevator door Ethan had went into moments before.

"Of course, you did the right thing." Cynthia looked at her as if she had just out down a marriage proposal from hot movie star. "He's incredibly attractive, and he obviously thinks you are too."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "But what if he's married? What if-" She paused, crystal blue eyes suddenly appearing in her mind. She heaved a sigh.

"Look, Leese, you're all for moving on with your life, right?" asked Cynthia, gently. She squeezed her friend's hand. "I say go for it and if the jerk is married, you know how to kick him to the curb."

The last line made Lisa laugh and feel better about her decision. She figured it was worth a chance. As she walked across the street to The Rio that evening and saw Ethan waiting for her, she knew she had made the right choice.

"I'm sorry I didn't have time to change out of my work clothes," she said, smiling sheepishly as Ethan pulled out her chair.

"That's fine. You look lovely no matter what," he replied, and Lisa could feel her cheek suddenly hot.

They ordered their drinks and meal a few minutes later. Lisa was thankful Ethan hadn't wanted to guess what she'd like to drink. He ordered red wine for them, and that was just fine with her. Ethan handed the waiter their menus, and they were finally left alone.

"So, how long have you been working at the Lux?" he asked, leaning against the table edge, elbows on the tabletop and hands clasped together.

"Almost six years. It's not an easy job, but I love doing it."

"As long as you like your job."

"What do you do, Mr. Ramsey?"

"We're having dinner, please call me Ethan."

Lisa felt her cheeks hot again, and hoped they weren't too red. "Sorry. Ethan."

"I work for some boring corporation. They've sent me down here to deal with managing a smaller branch. Just today I found that I would be transfered here perminantly."

"Oh, really? So, you're moving to Miami?"

"I am." Ethan paused for a moment to study Lisa's reaction. She was peering down at her silverware, her hand fiddling with a clothe napkin. She felt his eyes boring into her. It always made her fidget when people stared at her. She raised her head.

"That's great. I'm sure you'll love Miami."

"I'm sure I will, especially if I get to see you again."

Lisa averted her eyes to look around the dining area. She thought she had left her worries and nervousness behind her desk at the Lux, but here they were nipping at her heels while a lovely man was asking to see her again. She nearly fell off the chair when he touched her hand.

"Are you all right?" asked Ethan, concerned. "I'm sorry if that made you uneasy. It wasn't my intention."

"No, it's not you." Lisa swallowed hard. "I've been through a lot of rough times, and this is the first date I've been on since before I started working at the Lux."

"This is a date, then?" Ethan said in mock-surprise. She stared at him, her shoulders tensing.

Before she could say anything, Ethan smiled. The ice finally broke. Lisa laughed softly and felt her shoulders relax. She could do this.

"My coach said, 'Son, what in tarnation were you thinking when you jumped over that player?' and I told him, 'I thought this was a track meet, sir.'"

Lisa chuckled loudly, the sound echoing off the building walls surrounding the Lux parking lot. "You were as bad as me when it came to field hockey! Oh, here's my car." She stopped in front of a silver oldsmobile. "I had a great time tonight. Thank you for showing me what a lovely dinner can be."

"You're welcome. I will see you tomorrow, and will like to see you even more once I'm settled."

Lisa nodded. "I'd like that."

Ethan grasped her hand, and pressed it to his lips. "Goodnight, Lisa."

Her head was spinning as she drove away. It wasn't totally from the fact that Ethan was the most incrediabe guy she had ever met, but that it was so normal. No terror. No fear. No psychos holding a knife on her or threatening to kill her father. The feeling of normal made her want to fly. Things were finally looking up for her. Finally.