*

After composing herself, Audra crosses the hall, approaching Peter's bedroom. The door is closed. She hesitates, debating whether she's ready to talk to him, then, deciding she is, knocks. Peter answers from the other side, "It's open."

Inhaling, Audra opens the door and peers inside. She struggles to speak, unprepared for the sight of Peter post-shower. "I just wanted to say thanks again for, um–" Audra trails off, distracted by Peter's bare chest and cotton shorts. She clears her throat as he dries his hair with a towel, "For letting me use your shower earlier."

"No problem. You're welcome anytime." Peter smiles, wrapping the damp towel around his shoulders. A brown curl falls onto his forehead, and Audra laughs, blushing profusely.

Unwilling to leave, she lingers in the doorway. She runs her fingers through her hair as Peter sits on the edge of the bed, leaning against his left arm. "Something on your mind?"

Audra notices a large scar on his lower abdomen. She licks her lips. "I was just wondering if you were coming to the club tomorrow?"

"Well, considering this is the first I'm hearing about it..." Peter chuckles.

Audra's shoulders sink. "Oh, sorry, I just figured Jim would have told you."

Peter shakes his head.

"Well, um," Audra swallows, backing herself into a corner as her gaze drifts towards Peter's chest again, "you're more than welcome to come. I mean, it's going to be an absolute shit show, but–"

Peter laughs, "Not much for the club scene, I take it?"

"No, no. I practically grew up in a country club." Audra says, "That's not the problem."

"It's not?" Peter arches an eyebrow.

Audra rattles her head, "No. You see, what'll happen is, about twenty minutes after we get there, Dan and Elliot will get into a huge fight and spend the rest of the afternoon bickering while Isobel inevitably yells at the wait staff. I will, of course, be sitting quietly in the corner, replaying Roman Holiday in my head, and pretending like I don't exist."

Peter laughs again. His smile sends a shiver down Audra's spine. His warm speech draws blood to her cheeks, "That does sound fun."

She nods. "Oh, it is. Add a pool, an open bar, and we're off to the races."

Standing, Peter approaches Audra, closing the distance between them. Her breath trembles, and her heart beats heavily in her chest, "Think about it," She says.

Peter nods, "I will."

"Well, um," Audra swallows, watching Peter rest his forearm against the open door above her head, "Goodnight then."

He nods again, grinning, "Goodnight, Audra."

Licking her lips, Audra backs out of the room, hurriedly making her way across the hall once more. However, once standing in the doorway to her bedroom, Audra looks back, only to find Peter in the same spot. Shirtless, he waves, smirking slightly. She mimics the motion before retreating into the guest bedroom.

Upon watching Audra close her bedroom door, Peter shakes his head, laughing, then closes his door and goes to bed.