There’s been plenty of up tempo dancing, too. At one point we had a circle around us as we showed off our infamous synchronized TikTok dance. People were filming and it all got crazy.
But now the music’s slowed right down and I’m pressed up against Ivar, swaying toWhen A Man Loves A Woman. I can’t look at him, since I’m worried this will kill the moment. And I’ve been waiting for this for too damn long. Today has been like a dream and I’m scared I’m going to wake up any second.
But tomorrow it’s all going to be back to normal and it’s going to hurt me so much. I need to stop this fantasy and get back to reality, before it gets too painful.
The music ends and I step away. “Let’s call it a night, I’m bushed.”
Ivar smiles. “Okay. But I was enjoying that.”
We’re both weirdly silent in the car ride home. Usually we’d be discussing what happened at the party, but instead we sit there awkwardly. Ivar turns on the radio and it starts playingLady in Red.
He sings “Laaady in gold…” at me, which makes us both giggle. But then it’s back to silence again until we get to the hotel. It’s way past midnight and we’re the only people in the foyer. The reception clerk makes a disappointed face as we walk up.
“I’m sorry, unless you’ve pre-booked we don’t have any walk-ins available.” He looks away and starts tapping on his computer.
“We do have reservations. Under the name of Juni Broussard.” I’m tired and I just want to get in my room and process what’s happened tonight.
“We have one reservation under the name of Juni Broussard...” He taps on his computer again.
“No, that’s incorrect. I made two room reservations, one for Ivar Langstone and one for Juni Broussard.” This guy’s attitude is starting to piss me off.
“No. There’s only one reservation. And the hotel is completely booked up, so there are no other rooms, I’m afraid.” The clerk’s gaze flicks down to the ring on my finger. “But it’s a double bed, so you and your fiancé can share it. No problem.”
I sigh. “Thereisa problem. I booked two rooms. He’s not my–”
Ivar coughs loudly. Lucas and Natalie are walking in through the door behind us.
He holds out his hand for the keycard. “That’s fine. Thanks.”
I glower at the clerk, who is preoccupied with his computer again.
Natalie waves as we pass them on the way to the elevator. “Great dancing, you two! I can see why you got together, you’re so natural and sweet when you dance. It’s…cute.” She hiccups.
Lucas laughs. “We’ve both had too much champagne tonight! Time for bed.” He squeezes her affectionately as they walk to the desk.
I smile back. “Good night.”
Once we’re in the elevator, Ivar turns to me with raised eyebrows. “Close call. This fake fiancé thing is harder than it looks…”
I lean against the wall. “How are we going to sort this out? He’s going to find out sooner or later that we’ve lied to him.”
Ivar rolls his eyes. “We haven’t lied, Juni. We’ve just let him labor under a misapprehension.”
I laugh. “Big words for someone who’s drunk a lot of champagne.”
He smiles. “I had half a glass. I was driving, remember?”
I sigh as we leave the elevator. “Okay, I’ve had enough for both of us.”
The door opens to the tiniest hotel room I’ve ever seen. It’s basically a bed with four walls around it and a little bathroom off to the side. I think the bathroom is bigger than the bedroom. I’m going to kill that hotel clerk.
Tonight is getting more and more ridiculous by the second.
Ivar looks over at me. “I was going to be a gentleman and offer to sleep on the floor if you felt uncomfortable. Only…there is no floor.”
I giggle. This is all so stupid. “No. There is only the bed. I’m going to brush my teeth.”
Once I’m in the little bathroom, I brush my teeth and change into the big T-shirt I usually sleep in. I stare at myself in the mirror. He’s right next door. How the hell am I meant to sleep tonight?
