Groaning, Drew pushed himself off the bed and helped Lacey stand as well. “We’ll pick this up one day soon. I promise.”
Smiling at Drew’s declaration, Lacey slid on the dress she’d worn the night before and stepped into her shoes. “I’m going to head backto my room and shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour?” She opened the door and turned to look at him. He was glorious, standing in nothing but a pair of navy boxer shorts. But it was the way his eyes settled on hers that made her want to say the three words that had been tickling her tongue… but something held her back from voicing her thoughts. Instead, she rolled onto the balls of her feet and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the best night ever.” Drew’s heated gaze made her heartbeat pick up its tempo. “See you soon.”
Lacey walked through her room, making sure she’d packed everything while her mind raced. To think just a week ago she needed her friends to talk her into getting on the plane to take a vacation… one that was originally planned with her boyfriend. And today Lacey would be returning to reality… a reality that didn’t include Drew.
The last thing she wanted to do was think about Kevin, but how could she not? After he broke her heart, Lacey had taken a step back from dating. But more importantly, she’d immersed herself in her work. Meeting Drew had shocked Lacey to the core. She’d fallen for him in a matter of days, only to have to say goodbye.
He told her more than once that long-distance would work until they figured things out, but Lacey knew better. Maybe for the first few days, Drew’s plan would work.
Normally, Lacey would have pulled away already to protect her heart, but she couldn’t. That tether that had initially pulled her to Drew grew only stronger over the course of a few days. She zipped her suitcase and took a look around the room. After a heavy sigh, she went to meet Drew.
Just like when she first arrived, visitors were milling around the sun-filled lobby. She envied those who were just arriving and related to those who looked sad checking out. The small steel drum band played joyful tunes, and Fiona smiled as she greeted the guests with a cocktail.
Lacey spotted Ethan speaking to a few guests. His untucked white button-down short-sleeve shirt, khaki shorts, and deck shoes made him look just as relaxed as Lacey knew him to be. She raised her hand and gave him a quick wave.
Ethan excused himself from the other guests and made his way toward Lacey. “Hi there.” He kissed her cheek, not sending any type of shiver or heat through Lacey… not the way Drew did. “Drew’s waiting for you in the breakfast bistro.”
“Thank you, I’ll head out back then.”
Ethan put his hand on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “I know today is your last day at Spero.” Lacey nodded. “Drew is my best friend, and I don’t want to see him hurt. I like you a lot, Lacey, I do. But I know this all started to make your ex jealous. Over the past few days, I’ve seen the two of you getting closer. I wasn’t lying when I said he looked the happiest I’d ever seen him.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
He ran his hand across the back of his neck. “I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
A lump the size of a lemon formed in Lacey’s throat. “I’d never intentionally hurt Drew.”I’m falling in love with him.She’d never say that out loud before coming to terms with it herself or telling Drew first.
Ethan nodded. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Have a safe trip home, and maybe I’ll see you here again.”
“Thank you, Ethan.” Lacey gave him the biggest smile she could muster and headed outside to meet Drew.
Just like every other time, it didn’t matter how many people were around, because Drew stood out all on his own—his striking eyes, the way one side of his mouth created a deeper smile line than the other, revealing his perfectly straight white teeth. Last night, as her hands ran over his bare body, she’d silently begged her fingers not to forget a single nuance. Rather than rush over, she took a moment to drink him in. If she closed her eyes, it was the scent of his cologne she smelled and not the seawater.
Drew’s eyes brightened as soon as they landed on Lacey. He stood as Lacey reached his table, pulling her into his arms andkissing her. It wasn’t an aggressive kiss, but a soft one that lingered just long enough for Lacey to grip his biceps for balance.
A waitress brought coffee to their table and let them know to help themselves to the brunch offerings. Once Drew and Lacey each had a plate full of food, they sat down to enjoy their meal.
“So, are you all packed?” Drew asked before sliding a fork laden with scrambled eggs into his mouth.
“Yes, I am. Thank you. It was very depressing knowing I’d be slipping into a heavy jacket later on today.” Her phone dinged. “Excuse me. This might be Grace or Janine. They’re meeting me at my apartment.”
Sure enough a group text appeared from her friends.
Janine and Grace:We can’t wait to see you! Your fridge is stocked and you have all the necessities. Girls’ night later. Can’t wait to hear the scoop!
“Your friends?”
“Yeah.” Lacey smiled and tucked the phone into her purse. “They want to hear all the scoop.” She rolled her eyes before setting them on Drew.
“Scoop… as in me?” He asked, a hint of arrogance to his tone.
“Yes. They know me better than anyone and are probably champing at the bit for information, since I did something so far out of my comfort zone.” Lacey shrugged. “Not that they’re wrong, but it must be killing them. I’m sure Grace has all these wild scenarios in her head, and Janine is egging her on. They’re wonderful people and hopeless romantics.”
Drew traded in his fork for his fingers as he picked up a piece of bacon. “You’re not a romantic?”
Lacey took a sip of her coffee, contemplating her answer. “I used to think I was. But after Kevin cheated on me… let’s just say I’m more of a realist now. Romance is wonderful while it lasts. It’s like the sun. When it’s out shining bright it creates such warmth, but when it goes down, things just get dark and cold.”
Even to her own ears she sounded bitter, but she supposed she was. It wasn’t self-pity, or that she was fishing for reassurance; it wasjust how she felt.