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I giggle like a schoolgirl, and he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Is that her?”
Turning my head slightly, I see Shayla chatting with Leon in the lobby. Her eyes zero in on Ethan. When her gaze peers over to me, I wave with a smug smile. The hate behind her toothy grin can be felt across the room. Thankfully, it’s our turn to check in, so we step up to the counter and give the woman our information. Soon, she’s sliding the room keys over to us.
Ethan interlocks his fingers with mine and leads me to the elevator. It feels so natural to be with him like this. Ethan doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he squeezes harder when the double doors slide open. When we make it to our floor, we walk to our room.
“Whoa. You got a suite?” He looks at me after he opens the door.
“I mean, we are on a romantic getaway.” I shrug. “For appearances, of course,” I hurry and add.
“It’s great. And there’s even a couch.” He moves to the closet door and sets down our suitcases. “Extra blankets too.”
“You’re not sleeping on the couch, Ethan,” I tell him. “You’re too tall, so your feet would hang off. Tomorrow’s gonna be a busy day, and you need to be well-rested. Plus, you worked today.”
“Nah, I’ll make it work. I’ve slept in worse circumstances.”
“I booked a king size so we can share and still have plenty of room. I don’t want your back to hurt or you to be too exhausted for tomorrow.” I’m somewhat nervous about sharing a bed with him, though I’m sure we’ll both be sleeping on the edge.
“You’re right,” he says, falling back on the giant mattress with his arms spread wide. “This is comfy.”
When I plop down next to him, fully sinking in and yawning, I realize I’m not in the mood to be around a bunch of people tonight. “Want to order room service and stay in?”
“Only if we can watch a movie while we eat.”
“Deal.” I turn and meet his eyes. “What do you want me to order?”
“You know what I like,” he says.
“That’s the truth.”
After I find the menu, I order cheese sticks, hot wings, cheeseburgers, and two slices of chocolate cake. Ethan snorts, but I couldn’t help myself. Eventually, our food arrives, and we reposition the pillows and lean against the headboard while we eat. Ethan turns on Guardians of the Galaxy, and we’re instantly sucked in.
“You nervous about your panel tomorrow?” he asks during a commercial break.
“A little.”
He gives me that boyish side grin I adore. “You’re gonna do amazin’, especially since your fiancé is with ya.”
“My lucky charm.” I halfway wonder if what we’re doing is wrong, but it’s hard to believe that when it feels so right.
Chapter Eleven
ETHAN
The alarm goes off early, and I haven’t slept a wink. I tossed and turned while thinking about how Harper was sleeping so close to me. More than once, I felt the warmth of her body against mine and moved closer to the edge of the mattress to create some space. Even though all I really wanted to do was pull her to me and hold her close. It wouldn’t have been the first time we snuggled, but to keep boundaries for what’s already going to be a difficult weekend, I didn’t want to have her wake up and freak out.
Harper’s running around the hotel room like a chicken with its head cut off and has changed clothes at least three times. Eventually, she puts on the first outfit she had on, then decides she’s ready. Flustered as she is, I place my hands on her shoulders and force her to look into my eyes.
“You gotta calm down,” I say, keeping my tone soft.
She releases a long breath. “I know. I’m just so…”
“Nervous?”
“Yes. About the panel. About what people are going to say when they see us together. The unknown is eating me alive. I’ve been preparing for this very day, and now that it’s here, it’s getting the best of me.”
I grin, creating space between us, and notice how rapid the pulse beats in her neck. “Remember when we were kids and used to go trail riding behind the B&B?”
Harper nods.
“There was this one time when I fell off because the horse was spooked by a snake. And I was scared to death of gettin’ bit but also was hurtin’ because I landed on my arm. Well, someone I know told me that shit happens and you learn to get over it.”
“I did not say that.” Harper bursts out laughing.
“No, but Uncle Jackson did after he realized I just sprained my wrist.” I laugh and notice the tension melt off her. “But you never once left my side and were there through it all. The point is, we’re in this together, and years from now, none of this will matter. The details will be blurred, and we’ll laugh about our big scam and how we fooled everyone. So promise me that you’ll at least try to have some fun this weekend.”
