With a sigh, I run my fingers through my hair.
Requesting the room directly beside Ebba was a dangerous move on my part, but when she barely wants to look at me, let alone talk to me, I have to resort to drastic measures.
It’s been years since we were a couple, but there hasn’t been a single day in that time where I haven’t thought about her. She might think she’s nothing to me, but it’s the furthest thing from the truth and after those few days at Noah’s house it’s made me realize that there will never be anyone in this world that I want as much as Ebba.
I have to at least try to win her heart back, or I’ll never forgive myself.
I check my watch again, genuine worry making my stomach queasy.
I have no doubt it would piss her off to know I worry about her in any way, but I can’t help it.
The door opens and relief floods my system.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” she curses, jumping back and quickly grabbing ahold of her cane when it begins to fall. “Why are you lurking there like some sort of Peeping Tom?”
“I wasn’t lurking,” I say defensively. Sliding my glasses up my nose, I wait for her to adjust her purse strap and shut the door.
She looks me up and down. “It sure looks like you are.”
“Let me take your purse,” I offer.
She waves away my hand, nearly swatting me in the process. “I’ve got it. You don’t need to hover, Fisher.”
I hold in my sigh as we walk down the hall to the elevator bay. If I was a smarter man I’d probably stop trying when it comes to her, but I’ve never been smart when it comes to Ebba Johnson.
“I’m not trying to hover.” I push the button for the elevator.
She cocks her head to the side, dark brown curls sliding over her shoulders. I itch to reach out and wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss, but I know that would most likely have me ending up with her fist in my face.
“Then what do you call what you’re doing? Considering my brother and Whimsy are on a different floor, as well as Noah and Sabrina, I’m assuming you requested a room by mine.”
“It was pure coincidence,” I lie.
“Liar,” she immediately calls me out with a soft laugh, shaking her head. “You forget how well I know you and your left eye twitches when you lie.”
I reach up, gently touching beneath my eye. “It does?”
She laughs—and even though I know she’s laughing at me, I count it as a win.
The doors slide open and we step on. I send a quick text to Noah that we’re on our way down.
“I didn’t mean to run late,” she says softly.
“It’ll be fine,” I assure her. “Noah will survive.”
In the lobby we find the two couples waiting for us by the fountain. I shoot a look Noah’s way and shake my head to keep my best friend from making a comment about Ebba’s lateness. I don’t want her to feel bad.
“The car should be here,” he says in a grated tone.
Sabrina laughs and lets him take her hand, dragging her along.
Whimsy and Elias fall into step behind the first couple which leaves me walking with Ebba.
“You don’t need to hang back with me. I know I’m slow. I’m fine, promise.”
I squint my eyes at her. “What if I want to hang back with you?”
She turns my way, eyes narrowed. “I don’t see the point. Nothing is ever going to happen between us again if that’s what you’re hoping for.”