Chapter 544 - One day before wedding (S&F) (6)

~ Seattle, Ocean Sunset Hotel ~

Leah and Isabella are in Isabella's hotel suite, downtown Seattle.

Both Isabella and Leah knew what they want and why they are coming here while at Black Rose, but now that they are here, both of them seem lost. Visibly nervous.

Isabella cleared her throat. "How about a drink?"

Leah responded with few rapid nods.

Isabella looked at the mini-bar. "Any preferences?"

"As long as it has alcohol, it's fine.", Leah honestly replied.

Isabella smiled. 'My thoughts exactly.' She got a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

"What are we drinking for?", Isabella asked while pouring.

"For us."

They clinked glasses.

"Ugh! This is horrible…", Leah grimaced right after she gulped contents of the glass.

"Cheap stuff provided by hotel. But don't worry, next glass will go down easier.", Isabella laughed while refilling their glasses.

~ Black Rose nightclub ~

Aiden and Sarah are within the crowd on the dance floor.

"I thought you will be… angry." Aiden finally spoke after a long contemplation if he should mention this or not. He wanted to make sure that Sarah is not upset. She seems fine now, but that does not mean that she is not planning a sneak attack as a payback.

"Why would I be angry?", Sarah glanced up at him.

"Because I followed you. Without permission."

She got on her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Honey, you can follow me anytime."

He smiled.

"But I am upset that you didn't answer my text."

His smile faded. "Which one?"

"The one I sent after we left the spa… I even told you I missed you."

Sarah pouted, and that told him that she is playful. Definitely not angry.

He thought for a second and remembered that is the text that stopped their poker game. "Oh, I was busy." He wanted to send a reply, but then he forgot because he was focused on packing his winnings and getting to the restaurant as soon as possible.

She lifted her eyebrows questionably.

"I will show you later. It's in the car." He was smiling while imagining her reaction when he shows her his winnings.

She squinted. "No matter what it is, please respond next time. If you are busy, respond later. I was worried."

He nodded. "OK."

Sarah's purse was vibrating, and she pulled her phone to see it's JoAnna. It was too noisy for a call, so she rejected the call only to see number of missed messages. JoAnna was telling her to come to VIP room. Sarah responded and kept her phone back. "Anna is calling us to the VIP room."

Aiden frowned. He liked two of them on the dancefloor. He can hold her close here, and no matter how contradictory it sounds, in this crowd it's just two of them. Up in the VIP room is more private, but there are people they should talk to and they should be more… respectful. But he can't complain. Anna called them. It's probably important.

Up at the VIP room…

"Four of us are leaving.", Sophia informed Sarah and Aiden as soon as they got in.

Sarah understood that means that Sophia, Felix, Jeff and JoAnna are leaving the club.

"What about the sleeping arrangements?" Sarah wanted to clarify if they are still going to proceed with their plan of spending the girls-only night at their family home.

"That is why we called you...", JoAnna started and looked at Sophia.

"Let's meet home around midnight." Sophia ignored Felix's protest.

"OK.", Sarah's light frown showed that she is not very happy with this. But if JoAnna and Sophia are going forward with this, so will she. It's for tonight only, and tomorrow is Sophia's day.

Sophia faced Felix. "It's only one night. And Jeff and Aiden will give you company."

Felix glanced at the guys. "No offense…" Then he looked at Sophia. "I would rather have your company."

"It's just one night. We have about two hours, let's not waste them on complaining.", Sophia stood up and tugged Felix's arm. He followed.

"See you at midnight.", Sophia glanced at JoAnna and Sarah before exiting the VIP room.

"Midnight, like Cinderella…", JoAnna mumbled and took Jeff's hand in hers. "Let's go to my apartment until then."

Jeff didn't like the idea of separating from JoAnna at midnight, but he likes JoAnna's apartment. Going there, for him, is like taking a trip down memory lane. That apartment is where it all began between JoAnna and him.

"What about Jessica, Brie, and Maddie?", Sarah asked before JoAnna stepped out of the room.

"Three of them said they are having fun, and they will go somewhere else, if they didn't leave already." JoAnna understood that they should do a count of everyone. "Bridgette, Isi and Leah also left. See you at midnight!"

Sarah slumped in the sofa and looked at numerous glasses and bottles on the table.

"Do you want something to drink?", Aiden sat next to her.

"What were you drinking down there, before I picked you up?"

He chuckled, amused by her word choice. 'Picked me up?' He went to the phone and ordered two beers.

Aiden leaned on the wall, by the door, and watched Sarah as she was standing next to the rail, looking down. He liked her look: clean, simple and mesmerizing. Hair tied up in a ponytail, above-knee dark blue summer dress with white and yellow flower patterns, white skating shoes… no makeup. She smiled, and he wondered what is on her mind that made her smile so gently. He hoped that it was him.

Aiden was startled by the door that opened next to him and it took him a moment to realize that their drinks arrived. He took the bottles from the tray and fished cash out of his pocket, placing it on the tray and gesturing to the waitress to leave. "Keep the change." He ignored the way waitress was ogling at him, closed the door almost in her face and locked it. He was happy that after the poker game he has cash, so there is no need for the waitress to return after ringing his card.

Sarah was standing by the rail while looking down at the crowd dancing and enjoying their Friday evening. She never liked being in the crowd, it made her feel very uncomfortable. Sarah remembered that less than half an hour ago, she was there with Aiden… and it didn't feel uncomfortable at all. He can make her feel at ease even in the places she usually does not like. She smiled. Yes, he makes her feel like she belongs wherever they are, as long as she is with him. Because she belongs with him.

"Thirsty?" His voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He was right next to her.

Sarah responded with a small nod.

She watched him as he twisted open a bottle and handed it to her. He kept the tin bottle cap in his pocket.

His actions were normal, but Sarah found him to be extra handsome. Maybe because of that lingering smile on his face, or the way he looks at her, or maybe the atmosphere. Who knows why, but… There it is! A devilish smile appeared on his face as soon as he realized that she is staring at him.