Admittedly, Harry did have a soft spot for Zoya and Robbie had mixed feelings about that. His other friend was wrapped right around Zoyaās little finger in the way that heād only ever seen Aoife manage before. It was cute to a certain point, because Robbie knew what it was like to be possessed by the ever-present tendency to do right by Zoya. But then Harry would get that smarmy look on his face and start flirting with her and Robbie would have to drag him back by his collar like a naughty dog. That was when Harryās infamous soft spot for Zoya went from cute to irritating. His best friend didnāt need to be on the receiving end of Harryās sleazy charms.
āāCause Harryās just marvellous, aināt he?ā Robbie drawled, rolling his eyes. He slung his arm over Zoyaās shoulders, steering her in the direction of the hotel doors.
At this rate, with Zoyaās stop-and-start motions repeating themselves every time yet another brilliant idea popped into her head, the two of them wouldnāt be able to get to their room until well past midnight. He had to recalibrate, get them back on track.Ā
āHow about we can do whatever you want if ye agree to get your arse into the lift?ā he teased her, smirking when she continued to rattle on about all the grand plans she had for them once they got back to their hotel room.
Truth be told, he liked the idea of a cozy robe and complimentary slippers and ordering whatever the fuck they wanted from the room service menu. He was starving and the idea of a concierge pushing a little cloth-covered trolley into their room was more than appealing, especially since it would create the illusion that Robbie was the kind of man who did shit like this often, instead of it being a once in a blue moon occasion.
āZoya,ā he chided, throwing his head back with a laugh as she began bouncing around and pleading for a dance party, dangerously close to sticking the head in him and giving him a rubber lip. It wouldnāt be the first time Zoyaās enthusiasm had ended up with a body count.
Hands gripping her hips to balance her, he snorted out another laugh.
āChrist, Nadar, Iāll even do one of Buddyās tap dance routines for you if it gets you up to the room,ā he urged her.
Eyeing her carefully, he figured it was time to bring out the big guns. Holding her gaze, he smirked and reached into the pocket of his jacket, tugging out his weapon of choice. Holding the bag of M&Mās in front of her face, he drew her attention to them and then began shaking them.
āCāmon, Zoya. Yāwant the candy, donāt ye?ā he said, walking backwards towards the lift and making a show of guiding her in that direction, like he was training an overly enthusiastic puppy.
If ZoyaĀ hadnātĀ been drinking, she might have picked upon Robbieās tone. Because that was the thing about Robbie, sometimes he had aĀ tone. Never with her, of course! He was always as sweet as candy floss when it came to his bestie, just as much as she was with him, but sometimes The Tone came out when Harry was being a bit of a rogue, or when some guy in a bar sidled up to them and begun flirting with Zoya. ItĀ didnātĀ happen often ā the latter thing, obviously, Harry wasĀ alwaysĀ a rogue ā butĀ sheādĀ picked up onĀ it a few times, here and there. Still,Ā soberĀ or not, she never really knew what The Tone meant, so she supposed itĀ didnātĀ actually matterĀ if sheĀ picked up onĀ it or not!Ā
She let herself be guided through the lobby of their hotel and towards the lifts, nodding happily as he promised herĀ anythingĀ she wanted. Being friends with Robbie was so easy, she thought. He was always so nice and made her feel warm inside, his teasing manner always sparking a giggle out of her, her nose almost semi-permanently scrunched when he was by her side. Other girlsĀ regularly toldĀ her how charming Robbie was, and she did see it!Ā SheādĀ always thought he was so handsome and lovely,Ā ever since they were little.Ā HeādĀ been the cutest boy in the school, andĀ sheādĀ delightedly prattled on to her parents about him from that very day, and sheĀ hadnātĀ stopped since. He was her favourite in theĀ whole world.Ā
As she daydreamed ā or night dreamed? What was it called when it wasĀ nighttime, butĀ youāreĀ awake? ā Ā about the dance partyĀ sheādĀ just concocted in her mind, Zoya released a shrill, delighted giggle when she felt the press of Robbieās hands on her. She was clad in aĀ semi-transparent, cropped halter top thatĀ sheādĀ found when out shopping with Rae. She thought the yellows and purples had looked so pretty on her soft brown skin, the colours accenting each other so wonderfully, andĀ sheādĀ paired itĀ with a ruffledĀ mini-skirtĀ in a similar shade of yellow. She thought she lookedĀ really cute! And as Robbieās fingers brushed her exposed skin, she wondered what he thought of her outfit?Ā PerhapsĀ sheādĀ askĀ him, onceĀ herĀ tummy stopped doing strange little flips and her head stopped spinning.Ā Maybe sheādĀ had more to drink than she remembered? That had to be it.Ā
āThatāsĀ cheating!ā Zoya playfully scolded, snapping free from her reverie as her best friend started rattling a bag of M&MāsĀ in front of her face.Ā
She felt like a naughty kitten being coaxed out from under its ownerās bed, caught burrowing away somewhere itĀ shouldnātĀ be. Only, unlike a kitten, she knew exactly what game Robbie was playing and she was happily playing right into his hands!Ā
Rolling her eyes fondly, she followed him happily into the lift before pinching her thumb and forefinger around the edge of the bag, snatching it out of his grasp as sheĀ immediatelyĀ tore it open. Triumphant, Zoya slumped against Robbie, her back hitting his chest as she rummaged aroundĀ inside the back, shovelling candy into her gob and only occasionally offering him the bag as well. By the time they reached their floor,Ā sheādĀ made her way through a quarter of the bag already and could feel her veins buzzing from the sugar rush. Now she wasĀ definitelyĀ danceĀ party ready.Ā
Stepping out into the hallway, she redirected her gaze to their room door, which was thankfully just a few strides from the lift. Robbie really had nailed all the planning!Ā Eyeing him curiously, Zoya used her free hand to start patting Robbie down in search of their room key. Her hand slid down his chest with no sign of pocket in hisĀ shirt, andĀ instead moved to the front of his jeans. Feeling at a loss when the keyĀ didnātĀ make itself known, she wrapped her arms around her best friendās middle, inadvertently pulling him in for a cuddle as her hand slipped easily into his back pocket.Ā
āIĀ canātĀ find our key, but I did find your cute bum,ā Zoya announced, feeling quite pleased with her findings. ItĀ wouldnātĀ be great if theyĀ couldnātĀ get inside, but sheĀ wasnātĀ about to complain about touching a butt.Ā
