Everything I Dreamed (Everhope Road #2)

8. Hailey

8

HAILEY

W ell, I mean, we’re doing what we said we would.

Moving on and going back to the way things were before we decided to have one night that will burn in my head for eternity.

In the car we were quiet but not awkward. We managed to focus on our task at hand which was to get to Colorado. We stopped by the museum for one picture outside by the sign, but that’s it. Our ride and time were the priority. I might have also pretended to nap once or twice, but hey, A for effort to keep the vibe going.

Now we’re standing in front of a reception desk, aware that we will be receiving separate keys for our rooms this time.

Observing the lobby, a new excitement floods through me. This place is chic, but then again, so is the entire small town of Sage Creek that we drove through. I’m kind of surprised by the modern furnishings considering how classically quaint the town is outside. Still, this hotel seems like a perfect destination for a wedding, as it must be a hot spot for those heading up to the mountains.

My brother is getting married. How can a sister not be excited for that? I hope I don’t shed a tear or three. Nor have too many shots of the hard stuff at the reception. There better be some damn good cake, too. I would like to believe that this will be the type of wedding that my brother would want. He’s never really voiced his views, and he’s too laid-back and probably let Ava choose it all.

Me? Gosh, I have so many ideas for a wedding.

“Okay, that’s you two checked in. I’ll have someone bring your bags up to your respective rooms. Also, we have something for you,” the man our age behind the reception desk says as he slides the keycards to us. He grabs two bags topped with blue tissue paper from below the desk. “For all wedding guests.” He smiles.

“Thank you.” We each take our present and head to the elevator.

When the doors close and we are all alone, we are finally hit with the dreaded awkward silence, made worse when Oliver hands me my keycard and our fingers graze.

Clearing my throat, I offer him his present. “I wonder what this is.” I peek inside my own bag and smile when I pull out a snow globe with a couple inside on a kayak.

“There is no possible way Liam picked that out. But it’s a nice touch, though.” The corner of Oliver’s mouth ticks to the side.

“It’s the little things. Anyhow, I guess we made it in time. We have an hour until the rehearsal dinner. I’m starving and might get hangry soon.”

“You might be waiting a while. Normally, there are speeches and other BS to sit through.”

I let out a disgruntled noise. “Damn it. You’re right. Surely there are appetizers. My brother would never forget a solid food menu.”

Oliver peeks up at the number on the elevator. “So true.”

The ding informs us that we are on our floor, not that were many. We both walk to the room numbers on our card holders then pause when we both arrive at our doors. Neither one of us can ignore that we will be sleeping in rooms directly across from one another by chance.

Willpower isn’t needed though, because we promised that life must go on.

Fuck that.

Let me crank the level of restraint up to a ten.

He clears his throat as we both stand there in the hall for a long beat, staring nearly shyly at one another. “Interesting room designations.”

I chuckle nervously. “Right?”

Our eyes hold for a few seconds, and I just want to burst out that we should only need one room, but this all has to be put to the side as it’s my brother’s weekend and that’s what is priority.

“See you in a bit,” he whispers.

“Totally.” Then I click my card into the door to open it.

I hear a gentle knock on my door, and Esme saying my name is exactly what the doctor ordered. I open the door.

“There is my little road trip traveler.” Esme is quick to pull me into a hug, with her light brown locks resting below her shoulders.

“Here I am.” I notice my voice is lacking excitement, and I make a mental note to whip it together.

Esme follows me and stands in the doorway to the bathroom while I continue to apply my mascara in the mirror. “How were the few days of your romantic getaway?” I ask. She and Keats came out early for some alone time.

Her gushing smile is cute but kind of makes me jealous too. “Perfect. I swear if he doesn’t ask me to marry him this weekend then I’ll do it myself.” She would too. Esme can be persistent and feisty around her beau.

“I’ll stay out of the way of the bouquet toss tomorrow then.” I throw her a grimace.

“Nah, that’s too obvious. So, tell me, how was the drive? You and Oliver. Oliver and you. Small, enclosed space.” She has a cheeky grin while she twists hair around her finger.

“Fine,” I reply simply and continue with my makeup.

“Really?” She sounds doubtful.

“Yep,” I lie.

She shrugs. “Okay, same old then. You two just being you two.”

“Right.” I’m not trying to open the door for a deeper conversation.

“Of course, you two won’t be the cliché best man hooking up with one of the bridesmaids.”

She’s exhausting me now. “Esme, I might just throw something at you.”

It only makes her laugh. “Sorry. It’s too easy. I just have to say his name and you turn into a woman unhinged.”

I throw my blush brush onto the vanity. “Stop it. I really need a best friend right now who will not drive me nuts. I do one crazy thing and then you don’t let it go.”

Her head cocks to the side and her brows raise. “One crazy thing?”

Ah, shit.

I’m going to burst anyhow. “Oliver and I slept together, but we agreed to forget it.” I say it so fast and string the words together that I’m not sure Esme understood me.

But her lips in an O shape tell me otherwise. “I knew it.” She points a finger at me, and she looks like a miner who just struck gold.

I sigh and realize that it feels kind of good to get it off my chest. Then my thoughts drift to images of last night and I feel a giddiness that I’m struggling to keep down. “Don’t tell anyone. Especially not Keats.”

“Of course not.” I give her a warning glare, and she straightens her back. “Really… I promise.” She zips her mouth with her fingers.

“Listen, we got out some tension, and we agreed it was a one-night kind of thing. This weekend is for my brother, so we can move on.”

Her smile drops. “Is that really what you want?”

I give her a reassuring look. “It’s for the best. I would rather have him as a friend than lose him because we don’t work out.”

“Liar.”

“Esme, please, let’s just focus on champagne, cake, and watching some distant uncles get drunk on the dance floor.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Okay, if that is really what you want.”

“Yes.”

She steps forward to touch my arm. “Then your wish is my command.”

“Great. I’m starving and I won’t make it a late night. I need energy for tomorrow.”

“You do look a little worn out,” she taunts.

I bug my eyes out at her, and she holds her hands up by her shoulders. “What?” she squeaks. “I mean it, really. I’m not sure where your mind is at.” I’m not sure I believe her but fine. Either way, she’s right, which is why I grab my foundation pen for an extra coat under my eyes.

We have a restful silence between us, and because it’s out in the open, I can snort a laugh to myself. “I did pack lace pajamas… but they never even left my bag.”

She smiles at me. “Naked also works.”

“I’m sore, too.”

Her mouth curls with a grin. “Most women wouldn’t complain about that.”

I shrug. “I’m not.”

Esme looks in the mirror with me and her face turns serious. “As long as you are happy with your decision to leave it at one night, then I will leave you alone about it.”

I push down the thoughts I shouldn’t have. The disappointment that the fantasies outside of bed are not realistic. “I am.”

“Okay. Then let the wedding weekend begin!”