Who knew Ollie’s brows could be both raised and furrowed at the same time?I try to do it too, but I make myself dizzy.
“Are you okay?”Ollie asks, leaning forward and placing a steadying hand on my shoulder.
I know better than to nod.“Yeah,” I sigh, my shoulders drooping, causing Ollie’s hand to drop away.I miss the warmth and connection.“And yeah, I can get changed.I’m fine.”
He nods.Lucky bastard doesn’t fall over.He strides out of the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind him.
I strip off the dress and throw it on the chair with my bra.I pull the nightgown over my curves and check myself out in the mirror.I thought I’d still have makeup on when I wore this.Being barefaced, I feel like I’m playing dress-up.I look silly, not sexy.That’s a sobering thought.I don’t want Ollie seeing me like this—he’d never want me.Grabbing the robe I wore earlier, I wrap it tight around me and pad barefoot into the sitting area.Ollie is sitting on the sofa and looks up from his phone.
“I ordered us hot cocoa from room service.It should be here in a few minutes.Figured we could drink it while we eat dessert.”
“Sounds good,” I say while taking the seat next to him.As soon as my ass hits the cushion, he pops up like the sofa is a seesaw.
“I’m going to get changed, be right back.”He runs for the bedroom.
Fine.Whatever.Awesome.Crossing my arms, I rest my head against the sofa while I wait for Ollie to finish changing.
I always thought the day I got engaged would be full of kisses and lovemaking and feeling connected to my fiancé.That’s not how today turned out.No kisses, no lovemaking, and the connection Ollie and I have feels strained to the point of breaking.This is the loneliest I’ve felt in the longest time.I hope closing my eyes stops the tears from falling, but they still slip down my cheeks.
23
OLLIE
Phoebe isasleep on the couch when I finish changing for bed and join her in the living room.She’s so beautiful.I don’t care if her hair and makeup are done like earlier tonight or if she’s barefaced and slightly mussed like she is now.I love her.
I brush the backs of my fingers against her soft cheek, and they come away damp.Has she been crying?Why?Does she not feel well?Did I do something to hurt her?Is she sorry we’re engaged?What happened couldn’t have been the way she dreamed of someone asking for her hand in marriage.Even though it wasn’t a real proposal.While I would have preferred to ask her to marry me somewhere more romantic and private than a costume jewelry store counter in a casino with half my team watching, I don’t regret it.The only regret I have is that I haven’t kissed her yet.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to press my lips to hers.It’s all I can do to hold in my groan when her pink tongue slips out to moisten those berry-red lips I’m obsessed with.I can’t do that though.First of all, she’s sound asleep, and I’m not a creep.Secondly, she’s drunk, and I’m still not a creep.I know she said she wants to kiss me, but did she mean it?Maybe she was caught up in the moment.Maybe getting drunk wasn’t purely by accident and she subconsciously did it to avoid kissing me.
The deep breath she takes and releases as a sigh in her sleep makes her breasts rise.The plush hotel robe she’s wearing can’t disguise their fullness.Every time we hug and I feel them pressed against me, I force myself to start thinking about coding and other computer stuff to stop my body from reacting the way it instinctually wants to.Okay, now I’m venturing into creeper territory, watching her while she sleeps.
There’s a knock on the door, and I rush over to get it before it disturbs Phoebe.
“Hi, Frederick,” I say, recognizing the waiter from my first night here.“How are you tonight?”
“Good evening, Mr.King.I’m well, thank you.How are you?”
I take the tray with the carafe of cocoa, mugs, and ramekin of marshmallows from him and set it on the side table next to the door, then turn back with a smile.“I’m wonderful.I got engaged to the woman of my dreams today.Life is looking good.”
Okay, I’m telling a small fib.I did get engaged to the woman of my dreams, but life is looking like it will be full of heartbreak in my future when our engagement ends.
I slip Frederick a tip and bid him goodnight.I turn around with the tray and almost fumble it when I find Phoebe blinking slowly.She’s awake and watching me.
“I’m sorry, I dozed off.Is that the cocoa?”she asks before a yawn overtakes her.Damn it, she yawns cute too.I’m never getting over her.
“It is,” I say, carrying it to the coffee table in front of the couch and setting it down.“Do you want some?”
Phoebe nods as she yawns again and tries to cover it with a hand over her mouth.
I pour us each a mug.“Marshmallows?”
“Ooh, yes, please.”
I drop a few into each mug and hand Phoebe hers.My first, cautious sip is delicious.Somehow the cocoa is the perfect temperature where it’s warm enough to enjoy but not so hot you burn your tongue.
“Do you want dessert too?”I ask.
Her eyes widen.“Did we get the chocolate sampler?I don’t remember much about dinner after the meatball and the second sip of my first lemonade.”
