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“Grandma Betty showed up this morning.” She says, not getting to the point.
“Okay, great, and?”
“She showed up with no reservation,” Mom says, biting her lip nervously. “I gave her your room.”
“You did what?!” I burst out, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.
“I’m sorry! I panicked!” she pleads, throwing her hands up. “I was completely out of options!”
“This cannot be happening,” I mutter quietly, burying my face in my hands. “You know how important a quiet space is to me.”
My dad, Cooper, and Ivy all come sprinting through the double doors. It’s suddenly very obvious that the entire family split up into search parties to find me and break the bad news.
“Just come stay in our suite,” my dad offers, trying to be the peacemaker. “I think our living room couch pulls out into a bed.”
“Absolutely not! I won't be able to sleep with your loud CPAP machine and Mom's uncontrollable snoring.” I whine.
Ivy chimes in, thinking fast. “I can check with some of the other bridesmaids, but I know most of them are already sharing rooms.”
I rub my temples, trying to relieve the stress building behind my eyes.
“What about that guy Christian?” Mom says cheerfully. “He seemed really friendly the other night.”
The entire table turns to look at her, giving her a collective 'that is the single worst idea you’ve ever had' look.
“Nope, not happening.” Cooper shuts it down instantly, stretching his arms back behind his chair.
“Well, do you have a better idea, Cooper?” Mom asks sarcastically.
“You can stay with me.” The words are quiet, spoken in a calm whisper. Everyone goes silent, turning in Drew’s direction.
Drew clears his throat, quickly adding, “I have two beds in my room.”
“That's actually a really good solution,” Dad says.
“Perfect!” My mom beams, vibrating with relief.
Cooper sighs in defeat. “I guess if it's going to be anyone, I'd rather it be you.”
Beside him, Ivy is biting her lip, trying to keep back a smile from escaping.
“Can everyone stop agreeing so quickly!” I laugh nervously, hiding my burning, flushed cheeks behind my hands.
With only twenty-five minutes left until the bus arrives, I run back to my room and frantically throw my things together. There is absolutely no way I’m going to get this chaotic mess zipped back up, I could barely close the suitcase when it was perfectly organized.
Giving up, I start draping my dresses and blouses over my arms, hauling my open suitcase down the hall toward the elevator. His suite is on the floor directly above mine.
“Hey!” He smiles, stepping aside to let me pass, taking in my crazy attempt to carry everything around my shoulders. “Take the closet, I only have my tux in there.”
“Are you sure? I don't want to hog up all your space.”
“Please do,” he laughs, shutting the door behind me. “Trust me, I don't have anywhere near as much stuff as you.”
“Thank you,” I say as I quickly hang my clothes up in the closet.
I finish unpacking at record speed and freshen up in the bathroom before we head downstairs to leave for the day.
When I step out of the bathroom, Drew is sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting for me. Something about him sitting there patiently makes my stomach flip. I take in the room around me, it's neatly kept. Only his camera gear lies out on the desk under the TV, and a notebook and pen sit on his nightstand. But it's his scent that really catches me, the blend of smoky vanilla and a hint of clean musk. It’s warm and familiar, making my chest ache with nostalgia.
