Wow. Everything’s already done. I’m guessing Bruce checked us in before coming to the airport to get us. Steve leads the way into the gleaming black and gold lobby. It’s a Sunday, so the hotel is pretty busy with tourists checking in and out of their rooms.
I feel kind of stupid walking with an actual entourage, but I suck it up and keep my head down. Drew clutches my hand like it’s his lifeline, refusing to let go for even a second. If people notice us, I don’t care. I’m too excited to see Drew’s hometown and his family to worry about what people see or hear.
Bruce hands us our room key and leaves us. “I’ll be in my room if you need me,” he says. I give him a quick hug, and judging by the blush on his neck I surprised him.
“Good to see you Bruce.” I wipe the ridiculous tears out of my eyes.
“You too, Sydney.” Smiling, he exits on the 6th floor with us and walks the opposite way down the hall.
Steve opens our door and checks everything out while we stand in the foyer feeling ridiculous.
“It’s clear,” Steve says after checking for listening devices and who knows what else. “We’ll be down the hall.” He hands Drew the keycard.
“Thanks Steve,” Drew says as the big men leave the room.
I look around, walking into the living area of the Presidential Suite. It’s unbelievable. There’s an actual baby grand piano on one end of the room, tucked in front of wide bookshelves. The other end of the room has plush gold and cream furnishings in front of a fireplace. But what catches my attention are the glass doors that lead outside.
Drew notices my interest and takes my hand, “Want to see the view?”
I nod and he leads me over the thick cream area rug tossed onto the gleaming hardwood and unlatches the doors, swinging them wide to let in the warm summer air. I step out onto the brick balcony and take in the trees that dot the Common and the tall buildings in the distance.
“This is beautiful. I was worried that we’d have a view of the baseball field.”
Drew smirks, and then bursts out laughing, his earlier stress melting away. “I actually thought about it, getting a room near Fenway.” He steps closer to me, stopping just an inch from me. I can feel the heat coming off of his body. My heart speeds up as he locks his gaze onto mine, his smile becoming more serious. “But I knew you’d rather have a view of the park, and I live to make you happy,” he says in a low voice.
“Whatever makes you happy makes me happy.” I lift my hands and lay them on his broad chest.
“I’m happy that you’re here with me.”
“Me too.”
Yeah, we’re sickening.
We watch the people in the park for a while, as we relax on the terrace, holding hands and talking. It’s so normal that I almost feel as though I’m having an out-of-body experience.
“So we’re having dinner with your parents and the Grady’s tonight?” I ask Drew from my cozy spot tucked up under his arm.
“Yes.”
“Let’s have lunch on the Common.”
He looks surprised that I would suggest it. “You want to go out there, in public?”
“Of course I do. We’ll just put our human-repelling costumes on. No one wants to be within fifty feet of us when we wear them.”
“Let’s go then.” His smile is so big with excitement, I can’t wait to see his hometown.
We have a great day in Boston, feeding the geese and ducks while we eat and relax. We take the T to Faneuil Hall and browse the shops at Quincy Market. Steve wasn’t too happy that we ride public transit instead of taking the car, but Drew was adamant about showing me the full Boston experience. Plus, I think he just wanted to feel like a kid again. The giant grin didn’t leave his face for the entire ride. The best part was that not one person noticed us in our hideous wigs and clothes and we couldn’t have been happier about it.
By mid-afternoon, we’re both exhausted from the travel and jet lag, so we head back to the Four Seasons to take a nap before dinner.
The alarm on my phone wakes me from the deepest sleep I’ve had in a long time. I turn it off and roll over to snuggle against Drew and notice that his side of the bed is empty. I throw on a hotel robe and wander down the hall to find him and hear pieces of a conversation. I try not to eavesdrop but Drew is agitated and so loud that it’s difficult not to listen.
“I just can’t even believe she has the fuckin’ nerve to think she’s still going.”
“Sorry, I know.”
“Yeah, well that ass Reynolds bettah not come.”
“Well fuck her!”
“Shit, sorry.”
“She bettah not start shit with me or Syd!”