Standing together in the seemingly never-ending queue, each lost in their own thoughts of the other, trying to think of some way to break the ice, Rachel and Eddie both turned to each other simultaneously and began to speak.
"So…" they said together, before giggling awkwardly as again they both said "sorry, you first."
Rachel caught his eye and gave a shy smile, as Eddie insisted she speak first. "I don't really know what I was going to say to be honest," she said, then, deciding to take the bull by the horns, she continued, "I just felt something needed to be said to break this unbearable tension, we can't carry on like this all weekend."
Eddie was surprised that she had come right out and said it like that, but he had obviously recognised the atmosphere between them and knew that Phil or Mel would notice something eventually if they didn't sort it out. Rachel already looked more relaxed just through having voiced her concerns to him, so he felt they had better clear the air now while they had the chance. Thinking back to the incident in the nightclub once again, Eddie wondered how to broach the subject. He wanted to apologise to Rachel for his behaviour, they had both had a few drinks that evening and he didn't want her to think that he had been trying to take advantage of her.
"Yeah, about that…" he began, but was at a loss for how to continue. Rachel took a chance and looked questioningly into his eyes. She could see the turmoil going on within them, he obviously felt just as confused as she did. In turn, Eddie returned her gaze and he could have done so forever, drowning in those gorgeous eyes of hers. But this wasn't right, he knew Rachel didn't have any feelings for him, it was almost a year since she had made that clear to him and he really should have got his head around that and been able to stop thinking about her by now. So he continued, the words tumbling from his lips in his eagerness to get them out in the open.
"Look Rach, if this is about the other week, you know, the night out, I'm sorry. I'd had a lot to drink, I don't know what came over me, and it was stupid. I would never want to take advantage of you like that. I'm in a relationship with Melissa after all, and you've made your feelings quite clear to me ages ago. Like I said, sorry, it won't happen again and I hope we can still be friends."
Rachel's heart plummeted at his words and, feeling tears pool momentarily in her eyes, she tore her glance away from Eddie hoping he wouldn't notice. But she hadn't been fast enough and she felt Eddie's hand caress her chin, turning her head to face him once more, looking enquiringly into her eyes and catching a glimpse of the sadness that was pooled within them. Mistaking her reaction for something else, Eddie hastily repeated his apologies, stressing how sorry he was, how he hadn't meant to hurt or offend her, how he hoped they could just forget it had ever happened, but this didn't ease Rachel's feelings any.
"Eddie" she began warily, becoming lost in his concerned gaze once more, now it was she who wished she could look into his eyes for ever, "You're wrong, please don't blame yourself, it's not your fault, that's not the problem, it's just… it's… I mean… I can't…" she stuttered, trying to engage her brain and form a coherent sentence to help her explain what it was she wanted to say. But she couldn't think straight, the intensity of his gaze was making her go weak at the knees, and tears, this time of frustration at not being able to express what she was feeling, threatened to spill over once again.
"Rach," Eddie began again, "Whatever's the matter, come on, calm down, it can't be that bad, talk to me."
"I can't… Eddie, I don't know how to say this, I shouldn't be saying this, I can't…" She stuttered again, still lost in his penetrating gaze, feeling that whether or not she could find the words, the intensity with which he was staring at her would mean he could soon read her thoughts anyway. She took a deep breath and prepared to bare her sole to him, this was becoming too much, it had been brewing up inside of her for weeks now, allowed to fester and slowly take over her mind. She had been thinking of nothing but the man stood in front of her constantly since those few hours they had spent together on the staff night out, she had to tell him how she was feeling, had to know if there was still a chance for them after all this time. But how could she say it?
"Next please," came a loud authoritative voice from somewhere in front of them, but they were still lost in each other's eyes, then, "Excuse me, sir, madam, can I help you?"
Rachel and Eddie had become so caught up in the moment that was just the two of them, that they hadn't noticed the queue of people in front of them at the reception desk had dissipated and it was now their turn to check into the hotel. It took a few seconds still for them to register where they were, before Eddie came to first and stepped forward to confirm their booking and collect the keys to their rooms, the spell that had been woven between them just seconds before well and truly shattered. Rachel spent a few seconds more to composing herself, taking a deep breath and discretely wiping her eyes on the cuff of her jacket. She then clumsily picked up their bags and joined Eddie at the desk, wondering as he had done earlier in the day, what on earth Melissa had felt the need to pack in the huge pink suitcase for just two nights.
"Now this is the key for your room," the lady behind the desk was saying, looking at both Eddie and Rachel as she approached, "and a very lovely one it is too, king size four poster and a lovely view of the gardens, I'm sure you shall enjoy it. And this is the twin for your friends, just across the corridor, equally lovely." The lady had naturally assumed that they were a couple having seen them gazing into each other's eyes just moments before. She handed over the keys and Eddie accepted them, as Rachel felt slightly sick at the thought of Eddie sharing that beautiful room with her sister, standing on their balcony, looking out over the gardens, sharing the four poster bed, while she was stuck in a room across the corridor with Phil. Well she had truly missed her chance to talk to Eddie now. She cursed herself for how close she had come to confessing her true feelings to him, she couldn't allow herself to be overcome like that, mustn't let him know how she was feeling. He had as good as admitted that their little moment a few weeks ago had been purely alcohol driven anyway.
Eddie handed her the keys and, ever the gentleman, picked up all the bags and headed towards the lift refusing to let her carry anything. Rachel didn't think she could stand to be in such a confined space with him after what had just passed between them, and telling him she was going to stretch her legs after all the standing around, she took the stairs and said she would meet him on the fifth floor.