“I’m up,” he replies with a sleepy groan. “I was having the best dream. I was eating Waylynn’s—”
“Shut up,” Memphis snaps and glances over at me.
Oswald picks his head up off the couch and blinks his blurry eyes. “Shit.”
“You guys can use the spare rooms, or I can let you out.” I bet my face is as red as a fire engine. I know what he was about to say.
“I’d rather get up early than leave now, if you’re sure you don’t mind,” Memphis answers for both of them.
“I don’t mind. I’ll write down the alarm code so you can leave in the morning,” I tell them as I rise. “Let me know if you need anything.” I back out of the room a few steps, then turn around to flee up the stairs.
Oh my God,I mouth, feeling like I might need a shower, but also thinking he did say it was a good dream, the best in fact.
The bathroom door closes with a snap as I let my back fall against the door. I lock it just in case, then go pee before washing my hands. When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I confirm my suspicions. My face is still red.
I don’t bother with my full skin care routine, but I do wash my face quickly and apply some lotion before putting on a cute pair of silk sleep shorts and a matching button-up top. I usually just go with a T-shirt, but if there was ever a time for cute pj’s, it’s now.
Once I’m under the blanket, I turn on the TV and the fan I use for white noise. My head is swimming with so many thoughts, it’s hard to focus on one, but one thing I do recognize is the empty feeling in the house is absent, and that makes a huge difference as I snuggle my head back. It’s pretty bad I’m already looking forward to hanging out with them tomorrow when they haven’t even left yet.
WHAT THE HEART WANTS
Memphis
“Turn on the light,I don’t see anything with the alarm code.” Oswald flips on the switch, and I squint for a long second before my eyes adjust.
“Maybe she forgot to write it down,” he mumbles.
“Damn it, I hate to wake her up so early.”
“I’ll do it,” he offers with a lazy smile.
“I don’t trust you to actually wake her upandleave her after,” I drawl.
Oswald shrugs, as if he can’t argue. The stairs are silent as we make our way up. I’m kind of glad he came with me. I don’t really trust myself either.
I put my ear near the door, and I hear soft voices. “Maybe she’s awake. I think the TV is on,” I murmur and tap the door softly. When there’s no reply, I reach for the door handle to see if she locked it.
My heart races when it turns, knowing I could have snuck in here at any time to watch her. Waylynn is curled on her side with her hands tucked under her chin, and her lips are slightly parted as she breathes softly. The blankets are pushed down a little, but it just makes me want to know what’s under them even more.
After a long second of committing the sight of her to memory, I approach her bed slowly so as not to startle her. “Waylynn.” I murmur her name softly, and she takes a deeper breath but doesn’t wake up. “Waylynn,” I murmur again, but this time, I run the backs of my fingers along her cheek and jaw.
She flips onto her back, her eyes wide but unfocused, and sucks in a heavy breath. “It’s okay, sweetness.” I try to sound reassuring.
She blinks several times, her eyes heavy-lidded with sleep. “I’m sorry, did you need something?” Her voice is husky and goes right to my balls.
“The alarm code. I can’t find it.”
“Shoot.” She rubs her fingers over the side of her face. “I’m sorry. I came right to bed and forgot.”
“Stop saying sorry.”
“Okay,” she agrees.
“The code, sweetness,” I remind her when she relaxes back into the bed.
Her eyes pop open again, but not with fear. “I almost fell back asleep,” she mumbles. “You guys are like Ambien. 2-5-7-4-2-2.”
“Anytime you need help sleeping, we’re around,” Oz offers.
