The deep, peaceful sleep of Zoe and Stacy—entwined in each other's arms—was suddenly shattered by a sharp knock on the door. Zoe's eyes snapped open immediately, not because of the noise itself, but because of the vulnerable reality beside her: Stacy was lying there, completely naked. And outside, Zoe's team—Jenny, Noah, and Steven—were waiting impatiently.
"Stacy," Zoe whispered urgently, her voice barely above a panic, "wake up! My team's at the door. They can't see you here like this."
"Hmm... what?" Stacy mumbled groggily, blinking against the sudden intrusion.
"Come on, get up. Dress quickly." Zoe scooted to the edge of the bed and grabbed Stacy's clothes, shoving them into her arms.
Still half-dazed, Stacy scrambled to pull on her clothes just as the knocking grew louder.
"Zoe! Hello! Get up now! We have to grab breakfast at the lobby before heading out," Noah called from the other side of the door.
"Zoe! Open up! We want to see your room too!" Jenny called, her voice playful but full of curiosity.
Zoe's heart skipped a beat.
She turned sharply toward Stacy, panic flashing in her eyes. "Crap. Hide. Go—closet. Now."
Without missing a beat, Stacy grabbed her phone and heels, slipped into the closet, and Zoe slid the door shut just in time.
The knocking continued.
Zoe smoothed her hair, trying to slow her racing heartbeat. She forced on a casual smile and opened the door.
Jenny, Noah, and Steven stood there, eyes wide with playful suspicion.
"Well, well, look who finally let us in," Jenny teased, stepping into the suite. "This place is... cozy. Fancy view, too. Damn. Guess being head designer pays."
Noah stepped past her, glancing around the room. "Funny. You and Ms. Holloway disappeared last night and didn't say a word."
Steven raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You two leave the party together?"
Zoe laughed—just a bit too quickly. "What? No. I was trashed. I barely remember leaving. I came straight here and passed out."
Jenny tilted her head, grinning. "Mm-hmm. Then why were you both gone at the same time? No text, no goodbye?"
Zoe walked toward the window, buying time. "I don't know where Ms. Holloway went. She probably left with someone else—or went back to her own suite. We didn't come here together, if that's what you're thinking."
Noah narrowed his eyes, then looked toward the closet. "So what's in there? A body? Your hangover? Or maybe Ms. Holloway?" He reached toward the handle, half-joking.
Zoe's heart stopped. "Wait! Don't—don't open that." She stepped between him and the door, her smile tight. "I've got, uh, laundry and—personal stuff. Just give me a sec, okay? I'll meet you all in the lobby. I just need to freshen up."
Jenny laughed and tugged on Noah's arm. "Okay, detective. Let's go. But make it quick, Zo. We're starving. And we're not above ordering without you."
"Fifteen minutes, tops," Zoe said with a nod, forcing another smile.
Once the door closed behind them, she bolted for the closet and yanked it open.
Stacy stood there, barefoot, one eyebrow arched.
"Well. That was fun," Stacy said, stepping out, brushing her hair back. "So... drunk and alone, huh?"
Zoe groaned. "Don't start. I was panicking. I didn't know what else to say."
Stacy smirked and leaned in close. "I think maybe they heard you moaning my name so loudly at 3 a.m."
Zoe's face turned crimson. "Stacy!"
Stacy chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind Zoe's ear.
"Relax. I'm just kidding. These walls are thicker than your denial."
Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. She kissed her quickly. "You should head back to your suite before anyone else sees you. I need to take a shower and then meet the team for breakfast."
"Okay, okay," Stacy said with a smile. She pressed a soft kiss to Zoe's lips. "See you tomorrow."
"See you," Zoe replied, watching her go with a tender look.