9.00 PM - 1.00 AM
They kept up the pretence all evening; Serena keeping a hand on Bernie's arm for a lot of the time, getting her drinks (nobody needed to know there was no vodka in her coke) and generally being attentive. Bernie's panic slowly receded enough to relax just a little bit and tentatively smile. Serena had done a good job in reassuring her that everyone had her back. The intrusive woman had melted away and people were on the lookout if she came back. She wished she could really claim Serena as her own, wondered what it would feel like to hold her hand in front of people. Wondered what it would be like to kiss her in private. The only chance came towards the end of the evening where she risked a quick kiss on the tip of Serena's nose, as a thank you. The smile she got back was worth the gossip train.
How they ended up in a double bed that night was beyond comprehension. Bernie only wanted company and Serena stayed for a good while, chatting about this and that. Both had stolen complimentary robes (nobody had paid for a room but everyone went home that morning with something) and Bernie had changed in the bathroom and got snuggly under the covers, risking just her knickers underneath. She'd felt a bit awkward at first but Serena carried on reading her magazine, propped up against the headboard and didn't glance at her. As long as she didn't join Bernie under the covers, she thought she could handle that. The dress was hung up properly, ready to go back in the bag. Serena examined it on the hanger and commented on how beautiful it was, Bernie fought down a wish that she was still wearing it. She refused to be jealous of a dress that was the object of Serena's touch.
But even Serena got tired and as it was coming up to 1 in the morning, she found herself dozing off. Bernie woke her by rolling over and she sat up, frowning at her foggy brain, she was due at work at 10 that morning and she really should get to sleep. But her dress was too fancy to be slept in. She changed in the bathroom, hung up her dress and quietly got under the covers, not knowing that Bernie was awake again. She fell asleep right away.
Bernie knew she was out of order in even thinking about it but too much wine made her fuzzy and she didn't battle with it for long. She curled around the warm teddy bear in her bed and lightly clasped fingers with her as they drifted off into sleep.