Laura gave me your number. Want to lounge at my place?
It’s Sadie btw :)
Every nerve ending fired, and I stared at her text. We hadn’t spoken since I threw the offer out there yesterday.
Now?
My heart clanged around in my chest while I waited for her response.
Is it too early? Sorry! I should have waited until I knew for sure you were up
Her flustered message had me smiling into the fog like an idiot.
Not too early. I’m on the roof. Just making sure you meant right now
Oh. Yes. Door’s unlocked. Bring a personal item that means something to you. It’s time for you to spill
And I’m not cuddling you
I don’t care how big and strong you are
I laughed out loud, rereading her messages just to feel the thrill all over again. Warmth spread through me as I pocketed my phone. Since I could be at her place in less than a minute, I didn’t bother texting her again.
Descending the stairs two at a time in case she changed her mind, I stopped by my apartment and grabbed the first thing that came to mind. With the sketchpad tucked under my arm, I headed straight for her door.
The wall sconces lining the hallway flickered a couple of times, and I spared the nearest one a glance as my fingers wrapped around the handle.
When I stepped inside her apartment, the deepest breath left me. I had no idea how someone else’s place could feel so much like home.
Sadie had decorated with mismatched knick-knacks, some from another time, others new. Her walls were colourful where mine were plain, and she apparently loved cushions. Big, small, fringed, patchwork. The couch she sat on was covered in them, and she had a couple of giant ones on the floor.
It hit me why she’d asked me to bring something instead of asking me questions. She connected memories and emotions tophysical objects, and whatever I chose would tell her more about me than any words could.
I caught a side view of her in her pink flannel pyjamas, legs stretched out on the oversized ottoman, socked feet poking out from the end of a blanket. The TV was on, the volume low enough to suggest it was only for company.
She looked so cosy, my body ached to be closer to her.
“Morning,” I said.
“Hey.” She smiled and gestured at the row of hooks beside the door. “You can hang your coat up if you want.”
I slipped off my jacket and left it on the only vacant hook, like I’d just come home to find my favourite person waiting for me.
“So…” Sadie looked up at me as I approached.
When I caught her fleeting eye contact and fidgeting hands, I kicked off my shoes and slid my phone onto the coffee table. "Don't make this weird," I said, dropping my sketchbook on her lap with a soft thud. “You’ve been shopping with me. Given me a facial. We’re practically best friends. Move over.”
Her hands stopped moving, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She shimmied along to the next cushion, leaving more than enough room for me.
My pulse tripped as I slotted in beside her and rested my feet on the ottoman. I made sure not to touch her, but we were close—close enough that the scent of flannel-wearing, sweet-smelling woman wrapped around me.
A quiet beat passed before she relaxed and turned her head toward me. “How did you know I was nervous?”
I leaned my head against the backrest, willing my heartbeat to slow. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re not exactly subtle.”
“That’s… concerning.”
“I guess it depends on the thoughts flying around in your head.”
