Page 8 of Encore

A limo is waiting for us, and the driver helps get our baggage loaded up, and then I get into the limo. Dave slides in beside me.

I don’t talk as we drive to the hotel.

I don’t talk as Brock gets all of us checked in.

I don’t talk as he hands me my key card and we walk to the elevator.

Finally, when I get to my room, Dave is still standing next to me.

Finally, I speak.

“Goodnight, Dave.”

And I let myself into my room.

Chapter Three

Brianna

Jesse walks me to my room. He grabs both of my hands. “I’ll miss you, my gorgeous fiancée.”

I kiss his cheek. “I’ll miss you too, but Maddie doesn’t want to be alone.”

“I know.” He gazes at the hotel room door. “I could stay with you both.”

I chuckle. “That’d be pretty weird.”

“It’s not like we’d do anything.”

I smile and shake my head. “You need sleep.”

He trails a finger over my neck. “I’ll sleep better after making love to you.”

“I know. Me too. But Maddie needs me. This has been…” I sigh. “A fucked-up night.”

He nods, frowning. “I wonder who got sick.”

“Who cares? I’m just glad it wasn’t one of us.” I hover my key over the door.

Jesse takes it from me. “First, I want a goodnight kiss.” He crushes our mouths together.

I lean into him, melting into his kiss, when?—

The door opens, jarring me.

“Oh.” Maddie’s voice. “Sorry.”

Jesse and I break our kiss.

“It’s okay, Mads,” I say. “We were just saying goodnight.”

She blinks for a few seconds. “I changed my mind. I don’t need you here, Bree. I’m being selfish.”

“No, you’re not.” I give Jesse a quick kiss on the lips. “Goodnight. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he says, “and you too, Maddie.”

I walk into the room with Maddie, where our luggage has already been delivered by the bellhop.

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