Page 47 of One Night Only
“Wakey, wakey,” I call loudly as I open the balcony door. The bucket is thankfully empty, the water glass drained at some point during the night.
I lean over her, wrinkling my nose at the smell.
Well, at least she’s breathing.
“Annie? Time to wake up.”
Unlike Declan, Annie immediately opens her eyes, only to decide she doesn’t want to. She groans and tries to roll away from me, but I pull her firmly onto her back.
“You’ve got to get up now.”
“Why?” she mutters, throwing an arm over her face.
“Because you’re getting married in a few hours.”
Her body stiffens. “That’s today?”
“Unfortunately.”
Her arm drops to the bed. “Oh my God.” And fortunately, I’ve seen that look on her face enough times to grab the bucket right before she needs it.
* * *
“Thank you so much,” I say, balancing the tray from the waiter with my right hand while I tip him with my left.
“Going to be a gorgeous day for it,” he says kindly. “It’s roasting out.”
“Roasting,” I agree, trying to back into the room without showing him what’s behind me. “Thank you!”
I manage to close the door, hopefully without seeming as rude as I feel, and turn to see Annie where I left her, sitting at the small glass table, completely miserable.
“I can’t believe I was so stupid,” she moans.
She’s showered and dressed in her white fluffy robe. It took more effort than I’d anticipated but we got through it and even managed to comb her hair in preparation for the stylist.
I set down her breakfast tray, a collection of everything from fried food to yogurt to bread. Lots of bread. And juice and ice water and a blissfully large pot of coffee.
“Eat. Drink.”
“I can’t.”
“Oh, but you can. You have to.”
Slowly she picks up a piece of bread and nibbles on the edge.
I find an energy drink in the minibar and open it for her. “I need to shower.”
“Okay,” she says, managing half a slice. “The headache has officially begun.”
“I have aspirin in my purse. I’ll bring them to you.Don’tget back into bed.”
She nods weakly and I rush across the hall to my own room before I can remember who I left there.
I hesitate in the doorway, nearly expecting Declan to be strutting around naked, but the room is empty. I’m surprised at the flicker of disappointment I feel but quickly dismiss it. I’ll deal with him later. For now, I need to hurry.
I don’t so much shower as I do step in and out of the running water before putting on fresh pajamas. It will be a while before I need to get into my dress, but I take it out of the closet and lay it on the rumpled covers of the bed. I’m looking for my shoes when I remember about the aspirin and then it’s back to Annie, who I’m pleased to see has moved on from the toast and is now poking at the scrambled eggs.
“Take these,” I say, pressing the pills into her hand. “And drink your vitamin C.”
