We should stop her, but even if we wanted to, I don’t feel like I could. My brain isn’t playing ball.
“There you are,” Creed’s voice booms as he walks outside, grabbing Anaïs and holding her against him.
We walk up to him, and he gives us all a look.
“On a scale of one to ten, how drunk are you all?” His brow raises and I giggle, Edel is singing to herself and Nora just stares. “Oh jeez.” He chuckles.
“You’re so handsome, hubby,” Anaïs mumbles, trying to kiss him. “I love you,” she slurs.
He smiles down at her, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead then leads her inside the apartment block. We all follow, holding onto each other and Alexandre looks grateful that we’re going.
Creed holds the lift for the three of us, and after what feels like forever, we are all inside. We stop at our floor first, me and Edel walking out.
“See you guys in the morning.” I wave, Edel blows them all kisses, and Nora mutters something that I didn’t quite get. “What did she say?” I close one eye as I look at Edel trying to stop seeing double of her.
“No clue.” She yawns.
“Ohhh, I have an idea,” I press my finger to her lips, and she looks down her nose at my finger, her eyes crossing and her brows furrowing. “Let’s go wake Royce up.” I giggle and after a beat or two, she is on board.
“Do you still have a key?” she whispers as I push the button on the lift.
“Er, no, but he’ll be up.” I wave her off, puffing out my cheeks as we wait.
“It’s race weekend.” She hiccups. “We should let him sleep,” she mutters, tiredness masking her voice.
“I’m not going to keep him up.” I flash her a smile. “I just want to see him.”
“Right,” she yawns and steps into the lift. I follow and push the next floor up. “What if he doesn’t wake up?” She looks at me, her eyes heavy.
“Then we go to bed.” My voice is a little louder as the doors ping open. Trudging my legs towards Royce’s room, boldness shivers up my spine.
“I’m tired,” Edel wails just as I knock on the door.
“Me too.” I yawn. “If he doesn’t answer, I promise we will go to bed.” I knock again, this time a little harder.
After another five minutes, Edel is falling asleep standing up. Maybe it’s time I accepted that he isn’t answering the door.
“Bummer.” I pout, poking Edel in the top of her arm which causes her to jolt slightly and stand taller.
Just as I am about to drag Edel home, I hear his door unlock and my heart drums inside my chest. His messy black hair all over the place, and I have to fight with myself internally not to step up to him and run my fingers through it. His low grey sweats leave little to the imagination, not that I have to imagine. I have seen him in all his thick, long, wonderful glory. His pale, toned skin catches the low corridor lights and the want to trace my fingers over every inch becomes overwhelming. Sleep is evident in his eyes, a cute pillow crease down his cheek.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes roaming over me. His lips twitch when he sees I am still holding the gift bag.
“I’m fine.” Suddenly, I feel sober as a judge.
He blinks between me and Edel. A slow smile drags across his lips as he steps aside and nods for us to follow. Edel wanders through and lays herself on the sofa. I open my mouth then close it again when Royce shakes his head.
He tiptoes into the spare bedroom and fetches a blanket, and by the time he returns, she is asleep. Unfolding the blanket, he covers her up before turning to face me.
“Sorry I woke you.” Guilt crushes me. He’s racing this weekend and I woke up him because I am selfish.
“Don’t, I’m glad you did.” He closes the gap between us, so we’re toe to toe. His fingers flex as he hooks under the soft ropeof the gift bag and places it on the floor. “Have you carried that around with you all night?”
I nod, my eyes locked on his. “I haven’t opened it yet.” I shrug.
“Open it now?” he asks.
My eyes volley back and forth from his. Licking my lips, I slowly bend at the waist and slide the box out. He watches me carefully as I slip the lid off, my eyes falling to the delicate snow globe.
