But with Jonah fussing over me, I can’t bring myself to regret it. I lean my head against the headboard of our giant king-size bed. I’ve also sobered a little, and I’m not happy about it.
Jonah returns and hands me the pills.
“I’m glad you’re back. I missed you.” Maybe I’m still a little tipsy. But not near enough.
He smiles and shakes his head. “Take your meds, Vivian. You’ll feel better.”
He motions to the ibuprofen I’m holding, and then hands me a glass of water from the nightstand.
I take the medicine dutifully. Sweet, caring Jonah is hard to resist.
He takes the bar ice pack out of my hand. The new ice pack is a bag of ice covered with a hand towel. He places it on my cheek. “Keep it on there.”
I smirk. “Yes, Dad.”
“We need more alcohol,” I say, staring at Jonah like my very existence depends on memorizing every freckle on his cheeks. Every nuance of his sky-blue eyes. “You’re so pretty.”
He shakes his head, but there’s a smile around his mouth. He brushes my hair away from my face. “You’ve definitely had enough.”
“You think I’m lying?”
His eyes shine. “Isn’t that what you do?”
I point at him or try to anyway. My aim is a little off, and Jonah grabs my arm before it hits his face. “Not lying to you. Not this time.” And then I pout. Jonah likes it when I pout.
He laughs. “Stop it.” But his voice is fond as his thumb caresses my forehead. I lean into his touch.
I want to kiss him again. More than that, I want to climb his body and take up residence in his strong arms.
Fuuuck.I’m in so much trouble.
He sits next to me on the bed and leans closer like he’s having the same thought. Or maybe my internal monologue isn’t just in my head.
He’s so close that his breath teases my lips. I close my eyes, anticipation dancing up my spine.
Breenng. Breenng.
Jonah jumps to his feet, and I groan at the loss.What the hell?
He chuckles. “It’s the front desk. Hold on.”
Okay, I might have said that aloud. I close my eyes for a second. The room spins a little, and then the bed dips and the scent of warm vanilla surrounds me.
“Hey.” His voice is soft. Sweet. How in the world did I ever hate this man? This human puppy.
“Hey.” I grin, still not opening my eyes.
“I have a surprise for you. It’s at the front desk.”
“It’s not Carl, right?”
His voice loses some of its softness. “No. Carl is not invited to our party.”
I open my eyes. Jonah’s watching me, and the cute little lines between his brows tell me he’s worried. “What’s wrong?”
“Just rethinking my decisions.”
Happiness drains out of me like one of Maisy’s balloons the day after the party. The loss is slow but final.
