I laugh. “It wasn’t enough then.”
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“Really? It’s a classic.”
“Hey, come here,” he says, holding his arm out.
I bite my lip and scoot closer, cuddling against him.
The Wizard of Oz starts, and I smile as I recall sitting on this same couch with Grannie, watching this movie and eating popcorn. I wish I had some. I’ll have to put it on the list. I’d planned on putting in an order for the grocer tomorrow, I just need to remember to call first thing in themorning to give Devin enough time to prepare. I like being able to support his little delivery service. I think it’s nice of him, considering a lot of the townspeople are up in age and may not be able to get to the store as easily as they once did. Not everyone has young kids around to help. This isn’t a bustling family town. It’s full of farmers whose kids grew up farming and wanted big-city life instead.
I was one of them, so I get it. Yet, here I am. Right back where I started.
Only… it isn’t forever. Before I know it, I’ll be back in school.
Gus is warm and he smells really good. Earthy and clean. Cuddling with him feels natural, and that little tingle I felt when touching him is still there, only it’s lessened and it can hardly be felt now. I wonder if he feels it too?
“Oh, wow. What an ugly woman,” he says with a laugh.
“That’s the witch. She’s not very nice.”
Somewhere around halfway, my eyelids get heavy and I can’t keep them open. I’m warm and comfortable and content in Gus’s arms—even if I shouldn’t be. I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep, and when I wake up, the screen is on themain menu, and the house is dark and quiet. I look up at Gus, who is sleeping too. We’re still in the same spot, and my neck is sore from the position. I bet his is, too.
I push off him and he wakes up, looking down at me with shock.
“Sorry, I fell asleep.”
“I fell asleep,” he says, sounding confused.
“Yeah, it’s okay. I said you could—”
“No, I mean, Ifellasleep… and I’m still human.” He gets to his feet, patting down his body and looking down at himself. “I’m still human… after sleeping. That doesn’t happen. Like ever.”
“Maybe it’s a certain time?”
“No, it’s not. We… we tried everything over the years. It was always sleep that resets it.”
“Well, it could be—”
My words are cut off when he grabs my face and kisses me, a long firm press of his lips against mine. I squeak, not having expected it. I certainly don’t hate it though.
He pulls back, smiling down at me.
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I say breathlessly, looking at his lips and wanting more.
“You did something because this didn’t happen before you got here.”
He leans in, kissing me again, his excited energy contagious.
Until something shifts.
The kissfeelsdifferent. A little more passionate. His lips part, and so do mine. His tongue slides into my mouth, and then I’m on my back with him on top of me.
“This okay?” he asks breathlessly.
“Definitely.”
