Song of the chapter: Tattooed Heart - Ariana Grande

I woke up to someone knocking on the door, with a stiff neck and my head drumming against my skull.

"Just a sec," I responded, heading for the bathroom to freshen up.

I was greeted by a barely recognisable version of my face, and I looked like my emotions had taken a huge beat-down. I quickly brushed my teeth and my hair, and splashed my face with ice cold water to bring some colour to my pale, dour face.

Straightening my pyjamas, I opened the door and gasped a little dramatically. Mitchell was standing behind it, his hands in his grey pyjama pants.

His beautiful eyes looked down at me, and his mouth turned up into a small smile. He cupped my face in his hands and placed a finger on my lips. "Can I come in? I want to talk."

I nodded my yes and let him lead me into a small chair adjacent to the bed. I couldn't feel my legs below me, my whole body now very disoriented.

He took a seat on the edge of the well-laid bed with a blend of pale green and white pillows bordered by delicate lace fringes. They were smudged now, dotted with runny mascara.

"I came to apologise about last night. I should have let you say your piece. I was really surprised to see you and my first instincts were to push you away." He searched my eyes. "I'm sorry, Zoe. I'm ready to listen to you now."

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath, coming out of my state of shock. "I came to tell you, to show you, how sorry I am. I've been kicking myself for making such a silly mistake which I promise you meant nothing but cost me everything I care about."

I must have been sobbing now - he knelt in front of me and wiped away my tears. I soldiered on. "I want you to know how much I do and will always love you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.
When you lose the best thing in your life, you lose a part of you, a part that gives you reason to get up every morning and be a happy, grinning idiot. I miss being a grinning idiot. I love you, Mitchell. I promise I'll never hurt you, hurt us, again."

I held the hand cupping my cheek and looked up at him, smiling shyly at his moist eyes. "I must admit I also miss that thing you do with your tongue," I added with a grin.

He let loose an amused laugh and asked, "This?" and he pulled me closer. He smelt like shampoo and mint toothpaste, his lips familiarly soft and gentle against mine.

He teased my lips with a kiss, our lips making contact with before pulling away, making me move closer into him. I wrapped my hands around his neck and he wrapped his around my waist. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed the touch of his lips, his hands, and his body against mine.

Our moment was interrupted by my breakfast call. "D'you really have to get that?" he whined between breaths.

"Unfortunately, yes. You have perfect timing," I teased before reluctantly pulling away to answer. "Plus I'm pretty sure everyone's panicked because they can't reach your room. Don't you have to be somewhere important early today?"

"You're more important, Zoe."

I grinned into the phone, cheerfully greeting the receptionist and placing a breakfast order. I'd skipped two meals the day before and I needed energy to hang out with my friends for the whole day.

"Make it two of everything I ordered," I asked the voice on the other end of the line after Mitchell mouthed, "Me too!", and made a show of rubbing his stomach, pulling a desperate face.

We had breakfast on the floor, together again and happy to just be. The early morning sun was streaming into the room and reflecting off the glass coffee table, brightening up the snazzy lounge.

He joined me in the shower, massaging my back and showering me with affectionate kisses on my shoulders and about everywhere else. I had to chase him out though, to avoid christening it with one of our love making sessions which was very tempting in this enclosed space. "Maybe later, Mitch. Now leave before Rae walks in on us!"

"I love you, baby," he proclaimed, disposing of me on the bed before sneaking out. I love you, too, I mouthed after him.