The Business Trip

CHAPTER 14 - 4th July

So, I took a while writing this very very long chapter! Sorry for the wait guys. I really hope you enjoy this one, it's quite jam packed full of fun! Chaz will upload chapter 15/16 and then we'll be back to our usual patterns of alternate chapters. Let me know what you think of the chapter in the comments and tell me what your favourite part was! Thanks for reading guys, we really appreciate it! - @Snke88 x 

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I had been her for a month now and I was settled in a little more. Detroit's streets had brightened up, the weather became better, patriotic bunting, flowers, billboards and flags lined the streets. Everyone was preparing for 4th July celebrations with their family, ready to have summer fun and most importantly, to chill out! 

My 4th July usually consisted of having dinner with my brothers and my mom. Dad rarely showed up and the mood was melancholy, even though we always acted as if we were enjoying ourselves. This year, my brothers hadn't informed me of the plans. I would have flown back to New York and joined them, if they had called me. 

It was clear that I would be celebrating alone. 

Me and Marshall's relationship had become steady, we still went on dates and chatted on the phone but it felt more official. I sat on my bed that Wednesday afternoon, curled up on the sheets, with the television on as I was reading a novel. The 3rd and the 4th of July were official holidays so I wasn't worried about work demands. 

I got up to visit the bathroom and checked myself in the mirror. This was not a good look for me; no makeup, my hair knotted at the top of my head, my jumper three sizes too big and hanging off me. I shut the bathroom door behind me, returning to the room, when I heard a quiet but repetitive knock on the door. 

Peeping through the spy hole I swung it open and kissed Marshall who's facial expression had morphed into ‘surprised’. 

"Uh, hey?! You okay?". His voice hitched as he spoke. 

"Yeah I'm good".

His eyes trailed down my body, then up to the messy knot of hair above my head. "Were you sleeping?", he asked, looking at the crinkly sheets on the bed. 

"No, I was just reading a book", I answered. He looked blank. Why was this getting awkward? 

"What brings you up here then?", I broke the silence. 

"I came to talk with you and hang out, are you busy?".

"Nope. We could order some snacks, watch a film and talk at the same time of course?"

"Sounds good!", He kissed me and tugged my arm to the bed and reached for the phone. 

"Hello, room service", a tiny voice spoke

"Hi, can I get two servings of popcorn, red wine for the lady and a can of red bull please?", Marshall winked at me as he ordered the wine. 

"How are we going to get a film?", I whispered. 

Marshall raised an eyebrow. 

"We could just watch television, there might be a movie on, it's a holiday", He whispered back. 

"Okay, thanks". Marshall put the phone down and shuffled closer to me. We were leaning on the sides of our bodies face to face. 

His hand reached for my waist as he pulled me towards him. Kissing me, he wrapped his arm around my neck and caressed the back of my head, massaging gently. 

I reached my arm backward and blindly started to feel around for the remote. I grabbed it and waved it in front of him.

"Come... on... let's... find a movie?", I eventually stopped him from kissing between the words I had uttered.