Chapter 7:

Old Feelings

The next morning, Cosmo was sprawled out across the bed waiting impatiently while Wanda was getting ready for the day. She came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel after her shower to grab clothes out of her suitcase, only to dash back into the bathroom. She came out wearing a pair of white lace shorts and a sky blue tank top, grabbed hair products and then went back into the bathroom. Then she came back out to get her makeup bag.

"You're making me dizzy the way you keep going back and forth like that," Cosmo said.

"I'll be done soon," Wanda said.

He snorted. "Knowing you, soon will mean another hour. I'm starving."

Wanda rolled her eyes. "You can go downstairs and get breakfast now if you want."

He hopped off the bed and nearly sprinted to the door but realized he probably seemed too excited. "Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you?"

Wanda smirked. It was clear that he didn't want to wait for her. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "No, you go ahead," she said before placing a kiss on his lips. "I'll be down soon."

Cosmo left the room and as he was heading into the hotel's restaurant, he spotted Tamara. "Hey Tamara!" he exclaimed.

She was startled to see him and began to panic. She wasn't prepared to be alone with him so soon but he was already coming towards her so she couldn't hide. "Good morning Cosmo," she said. "Where's Wanda?"

"She's still getting dressed. She takes forever. Where's Vince?"

"Same," she replied. She couldn't help the way her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the crooked smile that touched his face. "Are...are you going to breakfast?"

"Yeah, the breakfast here is fantastic."

"I've never had it before."

She nearly melted when he threw his arm over her shoulders playfully and started to lead her to the restaurant.

"You're not gonna believe how amazing it is," he said.

She let him lead her into the buffet style restaurant still stunned at how close they were. They hadn't been that close since she kissed him two years ago. When she looked up at him he was looking straight ahead but she could see his soft lips clearly. They were close. All she had to do was angle her face up just a little bit and kiss him again.

It was tempting, but she couldn't. She couldn't allow herself to stoop so low again. It made her heart ache but she couldn't allow herself to put herself through that not again.

But as they sat across from each other at a booth talking and laughing just like old times, she couldn't deny that her conviction was a difficult one.

Meanwhile, Wanda had just finished putting on her pink lipstick. She fluffed her long swirly hair and then left the room to meet Cosmo at the restaurant. She had to admit she was hungry and the thought of the Rio Grande Hotel's breakfast wasn't helping.

"Hey Wanda!"

She turned to look behind her and saw Vince approaching her. "Good morning Vince! How are you?"

"All good. Where's your husband?"

"He's already downstairs getting breakfast."

"I'm on my way down there too, wanna walk with me?"

"Of course," she said with a smile.

"This place is fantastic, isn't it? I've never actually stayed at the Rio Grande before. Last time I was here I stayed at Eiffel Terrace."

"That's a great one too," she replied. "Cosmo and I have stayed at all of them at least once."

"Wow you two get around."

"We like to travel a lot," she said with a shrug.

"That's really neat," he replied. "Have you ever been to Lava Mountain?"

"No, it sounds cool though," she replied.

"It's great. Roller coasters down an actual volcano. It's fantastic. You should check it out." He paused for a moment. "I have to say, you look really pretty today."

"Thank you," she said surprised by the compliment.

"Really. Your husband is a lucky man that's for sure," he said.

Wanda studied Vince for a moment. He was looking directly at her and she couldn't help but wonder if he was flirting with her. But just as quickly he looked ahead.

"Doesn't that food smell great?"

Wanda just nodded. Vince went for the buffet but she lagged behind him and thought about how weird the conversation had been but she decided to let it slide.

After getting a plate, she spotted Cosmo and Tamara sitting at a booth. He noticed her as well and waved her over. She slid in next to him and shortly after Vince joined them.

Wanda watched Vince and Tamara for a moment. She found Tamara stealing glances at Cosmo every now and then. It was clear that Tamara still had feelings for her husband. But if the way Cosmo kept kissing her and hugging her was any indication, it was clear that he didn't seem to return Tamara's feelings in the slightest.

Wanda was more confused by Vince. He didn't seem to pay her any mind, it was as if their conversation on the way to the restaurant hadn't happened at all. Wanda still found it to have been oddly specific, but maybe she was imagining things after all.