Winter Wayhaught

Chapter 23

It didn't take long for Aaron Hardy to see the Twitter buzz around Waverly's new partner. He stared at the photo, pouring himself another large glass of wine, spilling some. She looked happy, not grieving his absence as he so often imagined. Her choice massaged his fragile ego. A nobody. A woman. Someone who, according to his view of life, was not competition.

It played on his mind. He dropped his phone on the low table his feet were currently occupying, picking up his glass, slugging the contents, filling it once more. A message appeared from an equally drunk friend who had seen the photo. A rude comment about Waverly. A joke about him having had a lucky escape. Hardy sent a witty reply agreeing. Schoolboy humour to soothe his pricked pride.

It played on his mind. Despite what his friend said, he couldn't shake the thought he might be ridiculed for not being able to satisfy her. What if Waverly were to say this woman, this nobody, was better than him in bed? What if? What if?

It played on his mind. He scrolled through the tweets. She was in Berlin, then Paris, then London in five days' time. Near enough to get it straight from Waverly what she was playing at. To tell her to drop this nobody, this woman. That her choices still affected him. His career. Made him look bad. The legal letter from Nicole's uncle warned not to make any further contact. He knew the consequences of such action. It had been spelled out in black and white. This was different. The more he thought about it, the more he drank, the more he considered her actions a personal slap in his face.

Jessica escorted them back to the waiting car. Waverly was shattered, barely able to keep her eyes open. She rested on Nicole, letting the motion of the car send her to sleep. Nicole had to shake her when they arrived at the hotel. Jessica suggested they order room service, get an early night. Waverly had interviews the next morning, another book signing, afterwards she would be free. Time for the couple to do their own thing.

Nicole opened the door to their room, taking Waverly's hand leading her to the bed, telling her to sit, taking off her shoes.

"Lie down. You're exhausted."

"But, I want to be with you," Waverly yawned. "I've been frustrated ever since New York."

"That can wait. You need to rest. There's plenty of time."

"Can we cuddle? I need to feel you."

"Only cuddling. And, we keep our clothes on."

"No fair."

Nicole snuggled up to Waverly. She could feel her drifting off in her arms. The most blissful feeling in the world. The two slept peacefully, content to be together again, knowing they had a few days to enjoy each other's company around Waverly's hectic schedule.

The phone in their room woke them very early the next morning. A courtesy call to say she needed to be in the lobby in one hour. Waverly showered first, Nicole sitting on the edge of the bath watching, desperate to join her, knowing they would never make it to the lobby in time if she did. Her turn, Waverly lingering, knowing she had to get ready, just as keen to remain in the steamy atmosphere, soaking up the vision before her.

They both agreed they would return to the bathroom later to continue where they really didn't want to leave off. Nicole had placed a small box on the table by the window. Waverly spotted it as soon as she sat to dry her hair.

"What's this?"

"Open it and you'll see."

"So thoughtful, thank you. Can you put them on for me?"

"A reminder of our journey."

Nicole placed the next charms on the bracelet. A tiny set of keys and a love letter. She had purchased two more charms the day she got these. They were for later, when the time was right.