Page 23 of Something New

"I saw it."

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "Oh, is it only nine-thirty?"

"Yeah. It feels late to me. I'm sorry it's taken me so long."

"No, we had fun. I'm sorry about the room," I said, springing up. "I really didn't mean to fall asleep."

I was out of it and the time and location were just registering for me.

"It's fine," John-Michael said, assuring me.

I grabbed a blanket and started to fold it.

"Really, Sadie, it's nice to see all the… I'll pick all this up in the morning."

"I want to," I said, setting the blanket down and grabbing another one. "I'll just do a little."

I was so confused by his position in the room. He had been sitting by the edge of that bed. He had been in the perfect spot for things to have happened. I felt like I was tripping as I watched him stand up from that place next to me. He was tall, and he took up a lot of room. He was dressed nicely, and I was ever so smitten.

"I'm glad you guys had fun. And yes, I read the note, and I'd love to see the pictures. I don't mind at all."

"Oh, good, thank you. Great. I think I got some good ones."

"I'm going to see these guys out," he said.

"Should I just meet you downstairs in a minute?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's great. Or you can come now."

"I want to clean."

"You do not need to clean this. I'll get it in the morning."

"Okay, I'll meet you down there in just a couple of minutes."

He made a face at me.

"I have to do a few things. I can't stand to leave it like this. I really meant to have it done."

"Thank you, Sadie. Thank you for everything."

"You're so welcome. Is he going to be okay up here by himself once I go down?"

"Yes, he's fine. He's used to it. He sleeps through anything with the little machine on."

"So do I, apparently," I said, causing us both to laugh. "I'll see you downstairs in just a second," I assured him.

He walked out, and I got about twenty minutes' worth of cleaning done in three minutes. I scurried around the room, jet-fueled by adrenaline caused by the extremely realistic graphic kissing dream. Several times, I touched my lips or licked them, trying to decide if it was real. It had to be, but at the same time, it couldn’t be. It was amazing either way. I just kept remembering how he was looking at me when I opened my eyes. It all felt like it had really happened.

The thrill of it all caused me to be able to clean way faster than normal. The room was pretty well back in order after only a few minutes. I left the trains out because they would have made too much noise to pick up.

I grabbed my things, including the note, and headed downstairs. The guys were making trips to their car when I made it downstairs. John-Michael was standing at the kitchen island, waiting for them. He looked at me and smiled.

"Thank you," he said. "I know I've said it a bunch, but I feel like I can't say it enough. You made tonight so much easier than it could have been."

"He would have liked hanging out with his aunties. I heard all about your sisters."

"They're cool," he agreed. "And they help me out a lot. But it was really helpful for you to be here tonight."

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