“Go back to sleep. We can have another round in the shower before you disappear in the morning.” She nods, and we both fall soundly to sleep.
When I wake up,Rosie is gone, and a heavy weight sinks in my chest knowing she snuck out in the early hours this morning or maybe she got hungry from all the sex we had, and she’s downstairs having breakfast. That thought has me jumping out of bed and heading into the shower before heading downstairs. It doesn’t look like anyone is up yet except Alex.
“Morning,” he says, greeting me with a cup of coffee in his hand. “There’s bacon, eggs, and other shit if you want.” Pointing to the buffet. I open the silver trays and start to add my food onto the plate. “You’re not normally up this early?” he asks.
“Just stuff on my mind.”
He nods. “Are you worried that the house won’t be finished in time for your party?”
I shake my head. “No, I have faith in Rosie, she’s being doing a great job.”
“Ivy likes her, all the girls like her, they all seemed to be having fun together,” Alex states, sipping his coffee while scrolling his phone. “You know the girls seem to think something is going on between the two of you,” he says.
I still.
I can’t betray Rosie’s trust because Alex is engaged to Ivy, and I know he tells her everything. At least I know if Alistair tells Eloise, nothing directly will happen to Rosie.
“I like Rosie, a lot. She’s fun, smart, beautiful …”
Alex’s eyes narrow on me. “You have a crush on her.”
He has no idea. “Yes,” I answer honestly.
“Wow, wasn’t expecting you to own up to it.”
“I haven’t said anything because I didn’t want you guys to try to play matchmaker. Ivy has already warned me off her once,” I say, shoving some eggs into my mouth.
“That’s when she thought it was just a hook up not that you like her …”
“Look, Rosie is devoted to her career. I know that she also looks up to Ivy.”
“Ivy wouldn’t care if you two dated, she’d be all for it, she loves Rosie. But, oh …” Alex’s face drops as if he said something he shouldn’t have.
“Oh, what?”
“Nothing,” he says quickly.
“No there’s something,” I push.
“Morning,” Ivy groans, “my head hurts. Why did you let me drink so much?” she says to Alex.
“You told me it was your birthday, and you could do what you wanted.” Alex chuckles.
“Hungover me wishes she could have punched drunk me for saying that.” She pouts as she picks up a bit of bacon and starts chewing on it. “Did you have fun last night?” she asks me.
“You always know how to throw parties.”
Ivy nods as she takes a seat beside Alex and snuggles into him. He kisses her head, and she hums happily, biting the bit of bacon.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the cottage. I bet Rosie did an amazing job. She’s so talented. I love her.”
I do too, I want to say.
“I’m happy with what she’s done.”
“Good, I was worried about the two of you working together. You can be charming,” she says, pointing her half-eaten bit of bacon at me.
“I can keep my hands to myself.” I huff.