“We do look like we’re going to the prom.” She dropped her head back and turned to me, a smile that was as sad as it was wistful. “I should have taken you that night instead of—” she pursed her lips “—I can’t even remember who I took. But all I know is I would have had a better time with you.”
“Well, we can reenact it tonight. I’ll see if I can swipe a flower off one of the centerpieces and give you a corsage.”
“You are the only guy who could make that sweet.” She kissed my cheek. “You really are the best.”
I dragged a hand down my face before I climbed out of my car and handed the valet my keys, mentioning that we were here until the morning. I dug out our overnight bags and followed Sabrina inside.
“We should probably check in first,” she said, pointing to the front desk. “Drop this stuff off.”
We checked in and got our keys to our fourteenth-floor hotel room. Sabrina’s features looked strained when I glanced back at her as we made our way down the long hotel hallway.
“This is definitely a fancy hotel. I’m excited to check out the reception hall,” I tried to joke as I hovered the keycard over the lock until it beeped.
I cringed when I flicked on the light. Her sister had booked us a suite, complete with a king-sized bed.
I set our bags down on top of the bed, Sabrina’s eyes boring into my back as if she was thinking the same thing.
“I’ll ask the front desk for a cot.”
She shook her head. “You’ll do no such thing. It’s big enough for both of us. We’re adults. I won’t let you be uncomfortable after coming with me and driving us all the way here.”
Sharing a bed with her tonight, no matter how much space I put between us, wouldn’t be the least bit comfortable.
It would be torture.
She ambled up to the bed, pressing her fist to her mouth as if she were stifling a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s like those romance novels Emily edits. The only-one-bed trope.” She raised a brow when she met my gaze.
I drew my brows together. “What’s a trope?”
“That’s right—you’re a guy.” She shook her head. “It’s like a plot device, for lack of a better term. Something to get things moving. A man and a woman are stranded somewhere. They find a room and—” she pressed her hand to her chest “—there’s only one bed. What could happen?” She patted my chest. “Let’s go, boyfriend.”
What could happen? It was big enough to spread out—or spread Sabrina out and bury my face between those beautiful legs before I fucked her against the black-padded headboard.
I followed Sabrina to the elevator without a word. I needed a drink or ten. One would calm the chaos in my head so I could think. Ten would knock me out. I had to stay away from any amount in between that would bring my guard down enough to encourage me to do something stupid, like give in to the ache to have Sabrina not just tonight, but for as long as I was alive.
SEVEN
CADEN
“Congratulations, kiddo,” Sabrina said after she brought her niece into a hug. I still couldn’t believe that was little Toni, now a full head taller than Sabrina and all grown up in a white satin gown.
“Thanks, Aunt Sabrina.” She beamed back at her aunt, squeezing her hands as she met my gaze over her shoulder. “Congratulations to you too.”
“I don’t know if you remember Caden,” Sabrina said, stepping back to drape her arm across my waist. “You were little the last time you saw him.”
“I don’t. I’m sorry.” Toni’s face twisted into a grimace for a minute before she brought me into a hug. “But I’m glad you’re here.” She smiled at me when she pulled back. “I like seeing my aunt happy.”
I guessed it was showtime.
“I like seeing your aunt Sabrina happy too,” I said, drawing Sabrina into my side. “It’s okay if you don’t remember me. I would not have recognized this beautiful bride either as the little girl we used to buy Happy Meals for.”
“Now I remember you.” Her eyes widened as she gave me a slow nod. “You’d snatch the toy away until I ate everything.”
I laughed, remembering how we’d all congregate at Sabrina’s house when she had to babysit. Toni would sit with the four of us, and we’d have to keep whatever movies we watched or plans we had for the day G-rated, but she was a lovable little kid.
