Chapter 9
EBBA
The joint bachelorette and bachelor party sneaks up on me and suddenly I’m back in Fisher’s presence.
I thought I was prepared to see him again, but I was wrong.
When I got in the waiting party bus and spotted him already inside, wearing those glasses that drive me crazy for some reason.
It tempted me to get right on the next plane and return to Miami.
But I could never do that to Sabrina. As far as my favorite places in the world go, Vegas might be dead last, but I’ll do just about anything for my best friend. Even if it means an entire three-night stay in Las Vegas and close proximity to Fisher.
Sabrina has her face practically pressed against the glass of the party bus that’s taking us to our hotel. Noah holds onto her hips like he’s afraid she might tip out of the very closed window.
“Everything is so shiny,” she croons.
“Just wait until the morning,” Noah chuckles. “It loses the sparkle.”
The insistent, crawling feeling of eyes on my skin has me turning to my left and spotting Fisher staring at me.
I cock my head to the side and meet his stare head on. “Anything I can help you with Mr. Grant?” The question comes out sounding far sassier than I intend, but I’m already on edge.
His lips quirk up. “You can start by never calling me Mr. Grant ever again.”
I roll my eyes and turn my attention out the window.
“Are you okay?” he asks, tapping my bare knee to get my attention again.
I force a smile in his general direction. “I’m good.”
“What are we doing first?” Whimsy asks. “Is there an itinerary of sorts?”
“No plan for the most part,” Sabrina says and I don’t miss the scrunch of Whimsy’s nose.
“I thought we could all check in and meet back up for dinner—Noah did get reservations—and maybe head to a show or club? I’m not a huge fan of clubs, but when in Vegas, right?
” She does a little shimmy of her shoulders.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Elias replies.
“Is there time for a nap?” I ask.
Sabrina glances my way, her eyes dropping to the cane propped at my side. I loathe the sympathy I see in her eyes. It’s not her, or anyone else’s fault, that I’m needing to use it more often.
Besides, my want for a nap has nothing to do with pain and everything to do with the fact that I like sleep.
“There should be plenty of time for a nap … or other activities.” Noah pulls Sabrina in for a kiss and my heart twinges.
Keeping my head turned steadfastly toward the window, I ignore the way Fisher’s eyes feel like a physical caress on my skin.
Ignore him, I tell myself. We’re almost to the hotel.
When we finally pull up to the hotel, I think I might be able to breathe a sigh of relief, but it never comes when Fisher follows me out of the vehicle with his hand hovering at my back.
Instead of turning to glower at him the way I want, I step aside to wait for my bags and pretend I don’t notice the protective hovering.
I glance to my left and find Whimsy watching us with a tiny, knowing smile.
The last thing I need is her and Sabrina reading into this.
I take a calculated step away from Fisher and I swear I hear him huff in annoyance.
Inside, Noah heads to the reception desk to check in and Fisher, thankfully, trails after him.
I inhale a breath now that my air is Fisher free.
Whimsy sidles up beside me, brushing my arm with hers. “Are you sure you can never forgive him?” Whimsy asks. “I mean, you never want to share exactly what happened with you guys, but the way he looks at you … it’s special. Was it really that unforgivable? If it was I’ll never bring it up again.”
I look down at the tiled floor. “It was a long time ago,” I reply. “And it wasn’t unforgivable but at the time it felt like it.”
“Isn’t there some saying about time heals all wounds or something like that?” Sabrina asks, typing on her phone. Of course she was listening.
“I think so,” Whimsy agrees. She gives my elbow a small squeeze. “What happens in Vegas stay in Vegas—you know, just in case you want to rekindle this old flame to see if the spark is still there.”
I shake my head. “Not happening.”
My brother returns from wherever he disappeared to—probably the bathroom or to grab a snack. Based on the crumbs I spot on the front of his shirt, I’m betting snack.
“What are you ladies talking about?” he asks, slinging an arm over Whimsy’s shoulder.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would. That’s why I asked.” He pokes my arm. “Come on, I wanna be in the know.”
“It’s girl stuff,” Whimsy tells him. “You’ll have to keep dreaming.”
Luckily, the three of us are saved from anything else he might say when Noah and Fisher join us. He passes a room key to Elias for him and Whimsy and then one to me. I told him I could pay for my own room, but he insisted on paying for everyone.
“Meet in the lobby at six-thirty for dinner?” he asks and we all nod.
The group of us pile into the elevator with Elias and Whimsy getting off first. Then it’s my turn a few more floors above, only Fisher gets off the elevator too.
“What are you doing?” I hiss, glancing back just in time to see the doors sliding closed and Sabrina tossing me a thumb’s up.
My eyes widen in horror.
What the hell?
“My room is on this floor too,” he says, gesturing for me to go first.
Biting down on my tongue so I don’t say anything I’ll regret, I stomp ahead and wheel my suitcase behind me, using my cane with the other. The first thing I’m doing is soaking in the tub and then I’m getting a nap.
I stop at my door and fumble for my keycard. Fisher stops at the door right beside me.
“Need help?” he asks, when for whatever gods forsaken reason, my key won’t unlock the door.
“I’m good.” I give him a sharp-toothed smile.
“If you’re sure.” He shrugs, watching me.
The light on the keypad finally turns green and I give him a closed-lipped smile before I open the door.
My smile instantly disappears when I step inside and spot the adjoining door.
Sure, I don’t have to open it, but it’s there.
“Fuck,” I mutter.