Jaime had volunteered to manage the room assignments, making sure all the wedding guests got checked in all right, ensuring everyone’s needs were met and managing any changes needed.
Abi held out her hand. “Okay. Well, hand over the keycard and you’ve got me all handled.”
But Jaime held tight to the key. “I’m going to walk up with you.”
Jaime headed to the door, Abi on her heels.
“I can find my own way to my room.”
But Jaime continued out the door and once they were in the hallway, Jaime slid her hand around Abi’s waist.
“So I want to walk with my sister and chat,” Jaime said. “What’s wrong with that?”
“You know I’m totally fine with the wedding, right?” Abi asked. “I’m not stressing or anything like that.”
Jaime pushed the elevator button. “That’s good, but that’s not what I wanted to chat about.”
“Then what?” The elevator doors opened. “And why are we taking an elevator? I thought this floor was reserved for all the guests.”
“That’s true, but they offered us an extra suite and that’s two floors up.”
“You’re giving me the suite?”
“No. I’m giving it to Del. I asked the hotel to tell Del they made a mistake and need his room for a family member, so they’re upgrading him.”
“Okay.” Abi shook her head, confused. “But why?”
Jaime grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Because I’ve set you up in the room next door. A connecting room.” She leaned in close. “And I’ve ensured the dead bolt is unlocked. That way, you can easily slip into his bed without anyone knowing about it.”
As Abi started to protest, the elevator doors opened and Jaime grabbed her hand and led her down the hallway. Another hotel guest was walking down the hall, so Abi kept her silence, until Jaime opened her hotel room door at the end of the hall and the two of them were inside.
“Jaime, I told you I wasn’t going to seduce Del.”
Jaime turned her no-nonsense, older-sister stare onto Abi. “And why not? You’re crazy about the guy. And it’s clear to everyone but you that he’s crazy about you, too. But neither of you knows how to get past this friendship limbo you’ve gotten yourselves into.”
Jaime took her hand and squeezed.
“So take control. Make this happen.” Jaime tipped her head. “Or do you have a better idea?”
“Well, I … uh…”
“I thought not.” Then Jaime pulled her into a hug. “Look, Abi, I just want you to be happy. And I believe Del is the man to make that happen. You’re a smart girl. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.”
* * *
Abi slumped on the bed, staring at the door Jaime had exited. Del would be busy until about eight, Jaime had told her, because he was helping out with some last-minute errands. It was seven now, so she had plenty of time to psych herself up and slip into the other room before he got back. She could be waiting for him completely naked in his bed.
Maybe Jaime was right and that was the best way to break through this limbo they were in and move their relationship forward.
She did want that.
She nibbled her lower lip as her gaze slipped to the connecting door between the two rooms.
Could she really go through with such a blatant and desperate move?
Her heart quivered.
Jaime was right. She needed to move this relationship forward and that meant taking a chance.
She stood up and hesitantly walked to the connecting door. The thundering of her heart grew louder the closer she got and by the time she reached the door, she could barely catch her breath.
She stared at the doorknob, frozen to the spot.
If she just went in and looked around, that didn’t commit her to the plan.
She sucked in a deep breath, then grabbed the knob and turned.
* * *
It had been a long trip and it was late. Liam wanted to get into his room and to bed. He pushed his keycard into the slot on the door of his suite and opened the door.
He’d run into Del and Kurt in the lobby, and they’d gone for a drink to catch up. Kurt had only been able to stay a few minutes, but Liam and Del had chatted for a couple of hours.
Liam had missed his old friend. He and Del had been close all through grad school, but finally Liam had graduated and started his business, while Del had remained in the academic world.
Distance made it difficult to keep a friendship going.
And then, of course, there was the breakup with Abi. Not that Del had ever taken sides … exactly … but he had been Abi’s shoulder to cry on. And Liam knew that Del had a thing for Abi. It’s the reason he had introduced Liam to her in the first place, since Del had had it in his head he couldn’t date his other friend’s sister.
And in his heart, Liam knew Abi had a thing for Del, too.
He stepped into the suite. It was much smaller than the ones he was used to, but it was elegant in its way and had a homey feel.
When he was talking to Del and Kurt, Del mentioned that he’d been bumped to a different floor because of a mix-up. That’s when Liam found out that most of the guests were on the seventh floor—which would include Abi. Liam would have preferred to get a room on another floor so there’d be less likelihood he’d run into Abi in the hall. This was her brother’s wedding and he didn’t want to add undue stress. And running into him was bound to stress her.
When he mentioned that, Kurt suggested that he and Del switch rooms. Del was happy because he preferred to be on the same floor as the wedding party anyway since he was a groomsman.
Liam rolled his suitcase into the sitting room and glanced around. There was a fresh bouquet of flowers in a
