Page 15 of Losing Sleep
I lost it, nervous laughter bubbling out as soon as the door was closed. I was one setback or unexpected twist away from losing my sanity completely. Also, if Dot knew we were just friends, what was that last comment?
“What does she think we’re going to do? Even if we did want to get intimate, there’s no way we could find each other in all those pillows.” My voice came out high-pitched with a slight edge as I gestured to the bed. Bedsingular, something I kept repeating to myself as I tried to find a solution for our current predicament.
“I’m sure we could figure it out, if we really wanted to,” Grey said, his eyebrows dancing suggestively.
“Watch it, Fabio, or you’ll find yourself smothered by one of these pillows.” I picked up a square pillow completely covered in lace and brandished it towards him.
Grey fought back a grin as he held up both hands and backed up the couple of inches he could manage in the tight space. “So, you’re going to murder me. Glad we cleared that up.”
“Orange isn’t really my color.” I shrugged, as if that was the only reason not to kill another human being.
My laughter faded as I looked around the room, my shoulders tense as I considered how to handle the situation. “There’s only one bed.”
No matter how many times I said or thought it, it didn’t get any better. In fact, it got worse. Much worse as I considered sharing a bed with Grey, who probably was a sleep-talker or sleep-snuggler. Was that a thing? Lyle definitely hadn’t been a snuggler, and he was my only point of reference in that regard.
Maybe I really could sleep on the floor. I’d pick a strip of carpet that didn’t block Grey’s access to the bathroom, and we’d be fine. I probably wouldn’t get much rest, but who needed sleep anyway? I could sleep in the car tomorrow, assuming I could convince Grey to play the quiet game.
Grey nodded. “I think we’ve established the singular bed. It honestly might be the biggest bed ever made. I can’t imagine how they got it in here.”
“But there are two of us.”
“Right again. I think we can add math whiz to your list of hobbies.”
I ignored the jab, my thoughts still focused on the problem in front of us.
“We can’t both sleep in the bed. I’m not…we’re not…”
I gestured vaguely between the two of us, hoping Grey would pick up on what I couldn’t quite find the words to say. Would Hank and Dot notice if I slept on the couch? I could set an alarm to make sure I was up and ready before they woke up. Though, if Hank still kept farm hours, I might have to sleep in my clothes for tomorrow so he wouldn’t guess I spent the entire night on the couch.
Grey held up a hand, stopping my awkward stammering. “We’re adults. I think we can share a bed and keep our hands to ourselves. Besides”—he gestured to the narrow strips of carpet we stood on—“I think we can both agree sleeping on the floor isnot an option, and after Dot’s glowing description of the couch, I wouldn’t make a pet dog sleep there.”
I bit my lip, recognizing the truth of his words as he shot down each solution I’d thought of. He was right, but I didn’t have to like it.
“If it makes you feel better, that bed is big enough an entire scout troop could spread out and not touch. I think we’ll be okay sharing.” Grey watched me as he spoke, a smile hovering on his lips. “I’ll even build a pillow wall if you promise not to smother me with it.”
“Fine, but just know if you try anything, all bets are off. I might even change my mind about how I look in orange. And I don’t care if you’re a sleep-snuggler, I have a pillow and I know how to use it.” I poked a finger into his chest to underscore my point. It sent a spark of warmth up my arm, and I immediately drew back my hand. The attraction that had been building between us all day surfaced again, sending heat into my cheeks. It had been a long time since I’d felt this way. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with the feeling, especially in light of having to share the bed with this man, whom I found equal parts attractive and annoying.
“Sleep-snuggler? Is that a thing?” Grey raised an eyebrow at me, his voice clearly filled with humor.
I picked up a bigger pillow, this one covered in pink satin, and brandished it at him threateningly.
“Fair enough,” Grey said, holding his hands up in surrender. “Want to take the bathroom first?”
I nodded and grabbed my stuff, struggling past the bed and managing to get into the bathroom. The space was tight, with just enough room for the sink, toilet, and standup shower. The clean lines and modern fixtures testified that the bedroom wasn’t the only room in the house to have received a facelift since my last visit.
I quickly washed my face, brushed my hair, and changed into pajamas: a worn teal lounge suit I’d owned for years. I hesitated a moment before stepping out of the bathroom. Except for my roommates, I never let anyone see me without makeup. It had started as a hobby, one of the many my mom had experimented with in her constant quest for a career. From there it had grown into a way to cover my insecurities until it had become a form of armor. It had shielded me from Lyle’s comments about my flaws and from setbacks at work. But tonight, letting Grey see me without it couldn’t be helped.
I ducked into the room, grateful to find Grey had turned off the overhead light and flipped on the standing lamp tucked against one side of the bed. He’d also built the promised pillow wall and piled the remaining pillows on the floor, making an obstacle course for anyone needing to use the facilities.
“You done?” Grey asked, grabbing his bag and moving to squeeze past me into the bathroom.
“Yep. Be careful not to get lost in all that extra space,” I quipped, settling my bags on the dresser and keeping my face turned away from Grey until I heard the door close, the lock clicking into place.
I clambered over the wall of pillows and settled under the covers, shifting to get comfortable. I stared up at the ceiling, the anxiety of sharing a bed with Grey chasing away the exhaustion that had been settling into my bones before Dot had revealed the bedroom situation. The fact that I was sharing a bed with Grey after having sworn off dating seemed to prove the universe had a messed-up sense of humor.
This trip seemed destined to shine a bright spotlight on all my flaws and the reasons why I was better off alone, safely home in my comfort zone. If I survived this trip, I would swear off all travel for the rest of eternity.
The sounds of Grey shuffling around in the bathroom were faint, and I attempted to fall asleep, closing my eyes and hoping for oblivion. Maybe if I was asleep before he joined me in bed, it would make this whole situation easier.
