Page 117 of Not That Complicated

I knew it was possible that Adam would see the booking, but I’d confirmed with Liam that Adam was on the night shift, and I was safely checked in and ensconced in the room before Adam even showed up to work.

There was one downside to my grand plan: I was knackered.

It’s not every day you realise that you’re in love.

I’d been running on adrenaline and nerves from the moment I’d declared myself in the kitchen with Liam. I’d also travelled the full length of the confidence spectrum, from swaggering around, thinking,Yeah! Gonna get my man!to slumping around, thinking,Shit. What if...?

Waiting until Adam’s shift finished at midnight gave me an agonising eight hours of hanging around in the honeymoon suite, wringing my hands and second-guessing myself.

I had my phone with me, but I wasn’t a teenager. Instagram could only interest me for so long.

At half ten, I ran myself a bubble bath. I was jittery and not in the mood to relax, even though I’d brought my lavender bath oils. After a few minutes of lying there listening to the low hum of the extractor fan and the blood rushing in my ears, I gave up on the idea of forcing myself to get in the mood, and climbed out.

The mood might not be happening, but I groomed until I was shaved and moisturised like I’d never been before, and minty fresh. I was thorough enough that I dragged it out until midnight, which I thought was the perfect time to call down for a snack.

Doing my best to ignore the faint trembling in my hands, I sat primly on the edge of the bed and dialled room service.

Please please let Adam answer, I thought. I had a plan for if he did and a plan for if he didn’t, but I definitely preferred it if—

“Reception, how can I help you this evening?”

I opened my mouth and a dry croak came out.

Great.

Fab start.

Adam repeated the question in his deep, steady voice.

I clenched my fist on my bouncing knee. I could do this. I was doing it. Right now. “Yes. Okay. I’d like to order a meal?”

There was the faintest hesitation at the other end before Adam replied, “Of course, sir. What would you like?”

If I strained my ears, I could hear the clicking of keys. He was looking up the room, I knew it. I knew it for sure when I heard his shaky breath.

“Um,” I said, as if thinking it over. “I would like the steak. The steak’s good, right?”

“We have not had any complaints about the steak.”

“Well then. Let’s have that. With a side of fries and onion rings.”

“Anything else? Something for dessert?”

“I’ll take the chocolate cake. Make that two pieces of chocolate cake.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes. I am very particular about my cake.”

“I see.”

“It’s got to be served right, you understand.”

“The chocolate fudge cake can be served as is, or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream,” he said.

“Sounds nice. But I was thinking more of the presentation.”

“I’m sure we can oblige.”

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