“Okay,” he says again but doesn’t move. His eyes travel around the room before landing on me once more. He leans in quickly and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for the dance, Angel.” He steps back, leaving into the crowd as I watch him go.
I head over to my friends as they all wear identical grins. “You two are so adorable together.” Cecilia sighs dreamily.
“206,” Emma says as she intertwines her arm with mine.
I frown and look at her. “What?”
“206, that’s his room number,” she clarifies.
I blink a few times, eyes going wide as I blush. “How… how do you know his room?”
“Because he’s the unlucky person who booked beside our suite.” She giggles. “I’m just telling you in case you needed it. You know, to talk in private about the kissing thing.”Oh, that makes sense and is a much better option than doing it here.
“Thank you.” My face heats as I look at the floor with a smile on my face.
She releases my arm and instead goes for both my hands, standing in front of me. “I know this won’t be easy, baby Brey. But we all just want you to be happy, including your brother. And if that man right there is what makes you happy, then no one has a say in it. No one has the right to stop you from being together.” When my eyes water, she takes me into her arms. “I’ll deal with Greyson; he’ll come around. I promise you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper once more.
The party goes on for a few more hours, ending the night with Greyson stepping up behind the grand piano in the corner and singing the song he wrote for his lovely bride as his fingers play out the beautiful melody over the keys. My brother could have easily become a pianist or a singer, he’s a man of many talents, but his true passion was always hockey.
When he finishes and Emma falls into his arms, I notice Shane walking up to them and seeming to wish them goodnight, then turns and looks around the room until he finds me. A sad smile forms over his lips as he gives me a small wave and turns for the doors.
My heart squeezes as I watch him leave, every fiber of my being pulling at me, begging me to follow him. Like an invisible string that connects us together, and everywhere he goes, my body wants to follow.
Ronnie steps up to my side with a champagne flute in hand and my small clutch and shawl in the other. “Here, drink this.” She passes it to me as I blink with quizzical eyes. “Down it and go after him.”
“But…”
“No buts. No one will notice you’re gone, certainly not the happily married couple. Just go.”
I look around, noticing most people are getting pretty close to drunk by now, including Greyson. “Okay, yes. I’m doing this. I’m going to march up to his room and demand answers.” I bringthe drink up to my lips and swallow it all down, coughing a little once it makes its way past my throat.
She takes the glass back and hands me my clutch and shawl. “That’s my babe. Now go get your man.”
I wrap the shawl around me, smiling. “We’re just going to talk.”
“It’s whatever you want it to be, Brey.” She places her hand on my forearm. “You decide what happens, remember that. If you’re ready, then you do what you need to do. And if you feel uncomfortable, you leave. If you need anything, you call me or any of us and we’ll be right there. This is your show, Aubrey, your story. You make all the decisions, no one else but you.”
“I love you,” I say with a nod as I kiss her cheek.
Quickly heading out the doors, I walk toward the exit leading to the second building that houses all the rooms. I have a room here too, but mine is on the first floor, while Shane’s is on the second. I take the stairs instead of the small elevator, needing more time to convince myself I’m doing this.
Within minutes, I’m standing outside his door, the number 206 covered in a shiny black coating staring back at me. I pass my fingers through my hair, wishing I had taken the time to freshen up before coming.Oh well, too late now.Taking a deep breath, I shake out the nerves from my tingly hands, and lift my fist to the door—knocking twice.
Chapter five
Shane
Ten, twenty, thirty, even fifty.
I walk back and forth in my room, talking myself out of asking someone what room my Angel is staying in. I have no idea how I expected this to play out, but I know I wanted to talk to her, need to talk to her. This past week without her has been a dread, and I don’t want to go another without at least spending a little time with her.
*Knock, knock*
I stop pacing the room as my head turns toward the door.Could it be?
Taking the few steps over, I look through the peephole and find my beautiful girl standing on the other side, chewing on her thumbnail. It’s a habit she has when her nerves get too intense. She’s out of her element right now, which is why she’sso nervous. My shy little Angel wouldn’t normally come to me on her own.
