Early morning pried open Kelsey's eyes with the faint rays of sun penetrating the thin curtains. The hushed, gentle snores of Sean assured her that he was still asleep, his face a picture of serenity as his chest rose with every soft breath. Kelsey bunched the sheets up over her exposed body, tucking it under her chin as she snuggled back into Sean, her head nestling against his shoulder.

  He adjusted next to her, turning his head on the soft pillow to kiss the top of her head.
       "Good morning." Sean spoke, his voice heavy with the rasp of sleep.

       "Good morning." Kelsey whispered back, tilting her head upwards she scrunched her nose with a small smile. All her air evacuated her lungs as she nestled in closer, letting an arm snake across Sean's bare torso hugging him tight. 
  Sean retaliated by holding her closer, the scent of her hair filling his senses as he drifted back into bliss. His fingers trailed waltzing paths across her back, her skin cool to his touch. A sigh of satisfaction escaped her mouth as he drew unspoken promises all over her.

        "You stayed." Kelsey spoke against his chest.

       "Were you expecting me to leave?" Sean said holding back a laugh, his hand tracing gently up her neck and caressing the back of her head, hair twisting between his fingers.

      "I'm not sure what to expect." Kelsey responded. "Truthfully, I'm not even certain that I've woken up yet."

      "I'm trying to figure that out too."

   Unlocking his fingers from her hair he stretched his arms up, an aspirated sigh reverberating through his chest as his shoulders clicked and muscled pulled taught.

      "Dream or not, I'm going to have a shower." He smiled down at Kelsey. "If that's alright."

      "Yeah of course. Just be warned the water pressure here is non existent." She laughed, shuffling further under the covers as Sean emerged from the comfort of them. Grabbing the thin throw he wrapped it across his waist, a tinge of pink brushing across the tops of his cheeks as he did so.

  Kelsey stifled her giggle as he made his way towards the bathroom, collecting his clothing along the way.

      "Enjoying the view, Owens?" Sean's sleep dusted voice teased as he looked over his shoulder, his lips pulling up at the corners.

   Kelsey's eyes widened, taking in the tonal shifts of his exposed body. Flashes from her first evening back in this town entered her mind, how Sean now mirrored his appearance from that night. When he stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist and a confused look on his face. Now his baffled expression was replaced with that of content and happiness. His eyes ablaze with a newfound joy. Kelsey felt her heart warm at the thought that she'd brought that side out of him. How they'd brought that side out of each other.

     "I really am." Kelsey replied, grazing her teeth against her bottom lip. Her heart fluttered as she watched him lift his head as a deep chuckle left his mouth. Turning his blue eyes to meet hers, Kelsey felt her pulse quicken and chest swell. The way he looked at her she was certain no one had ever captured her in their gaze that way before. These newfound feelings were amplifying within, Kelsey felt both scared and excited.

     "Truly. You're something special." Sean smiled. Raising his eyebrows and opening the bathroom door he hesitated, winking back to Kelsey before taking a step forward.

  Hearing the patter of water hitting the shower floor Kelsey sat up stretching, the light shining through from the window letting her know that the day was to be a good one. Folding forward she reached towards her overnight bag to retrieve her oversized t-shirt that she'd been using as a night dress. Slipping it over her head the soft cotton caressed her form. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed Kelsey made her way towards the vanity table, her reflection in the mirror showing her that she most definitely looked like she had a fun night. Wild curls sprung out in every direction and remnants of red lipstick were smudged just below her lip line. Yet her smile seemed permanently fixed, Kelsey couldn't recall the last time she'd looked this alive first thing after waking up.

  Retrieving her phone from her bag she walked over to the armchair, sitting down with her legs tucked beneath her the fabric scratched against her bare thighs. Unlocking her phone she opened up the group chat. Scrolling through a barrage of emojis depicting crude scenarios she chuckled to herself, her body feeling feather light as words of encouragement were spelled out before her. A quick huff of air escaping her nose caught her off guard as she spotted a screenshot of Sean's LinkedIn profile appear in the conversation. The display photo showing Sean looking sharp in his all black suit and shirt, hair pristinely pulled back off his face, eyes cold and a hint of a smirk pulling the left corner of his mouth upwards. He looked good, very good. Kelsey's friends seemed to agree with this too.

       Mills: Is that him?!
       Cameron: Yep. Took me a while to find it, but that's got to be the one!
      Mills: My God! @Kels you lucky cow!
      David:...
      Mills: Sorry, babe. But look at the man!
      David: No, it's fair. He looks like a Greek God
      Cameron: Understatement.
      Mills: The fact that Kels hasn't replied must mean things are going very well...
      Cameron: Get it girl!

  Kelsey couldn't help but catch herself staring at the piercing blue eyes of Sean in the display photo, his business attire showing her a side she wasn't used to. Hope swelled within her. Maybe she'd get to know this side of him when they both returned to London? Suddenly the floating feeling stopped.

  London. Home.

  She'd have to return soon. David had already been very generous to give her these past few days as holiday but even she knew that wouldn't include the weekend. No one working in hospitality can escape weekends, not without good reason. And no matter how good of a reason this is for Kelsey, reality was sinking her claws deep in now.

  Following the conversation down to the early hours of this morning, Kelsey's fears were confirmed.

     David: @Kels, am I putting you on the rota for this weekend?
     Cameron: Please for the love of god tell me you're back.
     Cameron: Please.
     Cameron: Marie is driving me insane and I'm THIS close to locking Riko in the walk in freezer.
     David: I've also had one newbie quit and another tell me they're away this weekend last minute.
     David: I know you've still got some holiday hours you could take, but is there a chance you could come back a little earlier?
     Cameron: Hon. I beg of you! I'll give you my tips for the weekend if you do.

  Her phone felt heavy in her hand, the messages fading as the screen tinted black before they disappeared completely and Kelsey was left staring at her reflection in the screen.

  The sound of the water running suddenly stopped. Kelsey stood up from the chair, tapping her phone gently against her lips she paced back and forth across the thin carpet as she tried to organise her thoughts. The bubble had to burst at some point, she just wasn't expecting it to do so right now. Sighing she unlocked her phone, the conversation appearing before her once again. Her thumbs typed quickly, her nails clicking against the glass.

  The bathroom door opened, a pool of steam escaping into the room wafting upwards into the ceiling. Sean stepped out, hair ruffled dry from the towel leaving small water droplets on his forehead, his shirt stayed unbuttoned and he was tightening the belt around his waist as he made his way back towards Kelsey.
Kelsey darted her eyes away from her phone screen, her thumb hovering over the send button. Sean's smile faltered slightly when he saw the expression on her face.

     "Everything alright, Kelsey?" He scanned her face for any other tell. "I wasn't expecting you to be out of bed, you seemed quite cosy."

  Kelsey shot him a sympathetic smile.

     "It's work." She explained. Sean gave her a knowing nod, looking at the phone in her hands. "They need me back for the weekend."

  Sean closed the gap between them, taking his hand he held her head gently, running his thumb against her cheek. Capturing her gaze with his he gave her a reassured smile, his eyes holding no resentment for the words that just left her lips.

     "You need to go home today then." He spoke softly.
     "I'm sorry-"
      "Don't." Sean interrupted, his smile remaining. "You have nothing to apologise for."
     "But-"

      "No, Owens." Sean laughed, taking his other hand to hold her, both hands softly caressing her cheeks he stared deep into her eyes. "We'll pick this back up when I get back." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

  Kelsey let a grin spread across her face as she re-read the message she typed out explaining that she'll get a train back later today. Releasing a long sigh she hit the send button.

  Dropping her arms to her side she looked back at Sean, his warmth and positivity reassuring her of her decision. Tilting her head up she brushed her lips against his, inviting him to come closer. Sean tipped his head down applying light pressure against her lips with his own. He kissed her gently, parting her lips with his tongue causing Kelsey to melt into him.

    Ding

  Kelsey was pulled away of her bliss causing Sean to step back, a light laugh leaving the lips that were just on her own.
    "It seems that they were waiting on your answer."

  Kelsey scoffed pulling her phone up within her eye-line, anticipating Cameron's ecstatic response.
It took her a moment to realise what it was she was reading. It wasn't a response in the group chat. She stared down at the notification, eyebrows furrowing as she re-read it multiple times.

    Hey, I need to explain myself. I'm sorry Kelsey. Can we meet for a coffee?

  There it was again. Another apology from Jake. Another chance to get what she came all this way for.