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“Yes, of course.” I got the water running, staying close while they played in the tub. Eventually, they were yawning, and I put them in pajamas before laying them in their bed.

Even I was tired, and it was only just past nine.

I sat on the couch, hoping to enjoy a little more quiet time, but as always, my mind drifted back to Jade.

As much as I wanted my brain to stop thinking about her, this wouldn’t change. That much I knew.

It wasn’t long before I did hear a bump that made me jump to my feet, but it wasn’t from outside my door. I heard it through the wall, the one that I shared with Jade’s apartment. I paused and listened, even getting closer so I could hear better. It happened over and over again, and I knew that she was sleepwalking through her apartment.

My breath caught. Was she going to come here?

She shouldn’t, but I wanted her to.

Eventually, her door slammed and I went to my own, waiting for her to arrive.

Jade was more lost than usual, which was something that happened whenever she took her medicine during high-stress times. She wandered through the back part of the square for a while before going down the alley. My heart clenched and I was about to go get her. Eventually, she made her way to the back side of the square again, stumbling up the stairs to my own apartment.

“Thank God.” Jade only pressed her face into my chest. “Let’s sleep,” I murmured. “I won’t even try to go to the couch this time.”

As much as she needed this, I knew I needed it more.

So, I’d give in. Just this once.

I would never get over the way she fit into my life, slotting into place as if it were made for her. She did that with the kids and with me.

That was the worst part about leaving this time. It felt like we were perfect for one another, but forever doomed to lead different lives. We could meet once in a while and things would be incredible, but it felt destined to end.

The thought made me hold her tighter. I knew it’d be hard to get up early in the morning and let her go.

It was better that she didn’t know she sleepwalked into my apartment. It was better that I kept this to myself. But not for the first time, I hoped she was awake and that she could tell me it would all be okay.

37

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Marjorie Brown: I have an urgent need for xl condoms. Don’t ask questions. Just give me the goods.

Comments:

Kerry Winsor: ???

Piper M: Wow, Hen must be packing.

Hu Gh: Those never fit me. I put it up the ass like a real man.

Jade Clark: HUGH???

Kerry Winsor: STOP! WE’RE GONNA BE BANNED!!!

Hu Gh: Only Ethel would let me do that. I miss her . . .

I woke up with my usual amount of confusion after taking my sleep medicine. I could tell that I had slept hard, but I wasn’t sure that I was lucky enough to avoid sleepwalking. I had random sore spots on my body, and with how stressed I had been the day before, I knew it was a possibility.

At least I’d ended up in my bed. Or so I thought.

My phone lit up with texts from my friends. I was hoping that they had found more information about the developer who’d bought the spring. I was very wrong.