Page 88 of The Pinkie Pact

The outside air blasted me in the face with its coldness. The night was filled with electricity as traffic buzzed by reflecting the energy of election night in Washington, DC.

Weirdly quiet, the three of us stood there a moment on the sidewalk, people rushing past us going in and out of the busy hotel. Sky stared straight ahead at the passing vehicles, and I wondered what she was thinking.

Was she waiting for me to make the first move? Waiting for me to ask her?

A breeze made Sky and Kara grab their coats tighter around them right as their car pulled up. "See ya later, doofus," Kara said, opening the door and sliding into the back.

Without looking at me, Sky started to get in behind her.

Fucking hell. Just do it.

"Wait, Sky," I said.

Looking confused, she turned around and peeked up at me, her eyes a little watery from the cold or maybe something else? "Yeah?" she asked.

My heart raced so fast in my chest, I prayed I wasn't having a heart attack. "I have..."Spit it out, you idiot. Running my cold hands through my hair, I tried to continue.

"You have?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Something about the sweetness I saw in her eyes suddenly helped me. This was someone who had never shown me any unkindness and had only ever been nice to me even when I didn't deserve it.

"I kind of have a surprise," I finally said. "For you. I mean, for us. I mean..."

Her look of confusion quickly changed to a smile that threatened to knock me over. "Oh, really?" she asked, her tone flirty.

"Really." I matched her smile. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Holy heck, Kieran, I thought you'd never freaking ask."

The laughter that came out of me at that statement. This girl was the most amazing creature to ever walk the earth.

"What's going on?" Kara asked from the car, sounding impatient.

Sky leaned over, putting her head in the car, giving me a great view. Christ. "Don't wait up for me, babe," she said to Kara's laughter.

"Ew, gross, you guys." Kara reached for the door. "But have fun," she whispered to Sky.

And then she was off, and I was alone with Sky, her face expectant, probably wondering about this surprise I had mentioned. Oh, boy. Now, there was no going back.

"Kier," Sky said, grabbing my hand, "are you going to just stand there, or are you going to tell me more about this surprise?"

At her teasing and encouraging tone, I took a deep breath. I could do this. "Why don't I just show you?" I said, ignoring my shaky voice.

She wrapped both her hands around mine. "Why are you so nervous?"

I wasn't ready to tell her the real reason why, so I shrugged and led us back inside, fighting my anxiety the whole time. Fortunately, the crowded lobby and elevator worked in my favor because it was impossible to talk. Maybe if I could get her upstairs and have more champagne, it would help me.

When I started to get out on a different floor along with another couple, Sky looked at me, eyes narrowed in confusion. "We're not going back up to your mom's suite?"

"Nope."

She glanced away, a thoughtful expression on her face. A moment later, a smile lit up her eyes, and I knew she'd figured it out. But she didn't say anything, just walked along with me, still hand in hand.

Holding my breath, I took a room key out of my back pocket and struggled to unlock the door. She remained quiet as I finally got the stupid card to work and opened the door, holding my hand out to let her in first.

Her gasp was my reward. I absolutely loved it when she made that sound.

"Oh, my God, this is so sweet!" she said, taking in the flowers, the champagne, and the candles on the nightstand.

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