Page 32 of A Very Friendly Valentine's Day
Almost as soon as I’ve realized I’m falling and swearing like a marine, I find myself cradled in Eddie’s arms. I emit a squeaky kitten-like sound, my own arms wrapped around his neck, holding tight as if my life depends on it.
“I got you,” he whispers.
He has superhero reflexes, and I do feel a bit like Lois Lane right now.
But Lois Lane wasn’t friends with Superman, and Superman wasn’t on his way to see his Instagram girlfriend when he caught her midair.
I squeeze my eyes shut, clear my throat and say, “I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Why are you closing your eyes?” I can hear him smiling. He is amused by me.
“I feel dizzy.” I don’t tell him it’s because of the snowy beach sex fragrance or the way it feels to have his arms around me like this or being this close to his face.
“You need a Dramamine.” He lets me down slowly and I step away from him a little too quickly. He grabs on to my arms to steady me.
I’m a mess.
I slowly open my eyes, keeping them downturned.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
He loosens his grip a little before letting go.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“I’ll finish making the bed for you.”
Before I can complete the sentence “I’ll do it,” he’s up on the ladder and finishing the job for me.
And I need to stop staring at his butt in those sweatpants.
I’m doing it. Stopping staring at his butt. Right now.
I get the Dramamine from my bag. Hopefully this will make me feel more normal. Less unsteady.
“You want to watchSherlockwith me?” he asks as he clutches the pillow to his chest and pulls up my pillowcase.
Great. Now my pillow’s going to smell like snowy beach sex.
“Absolutely not,” I say.That is just what I need right now. A Cumberbitchboneranda lady froner.
He laughs. “Okay. What do you want to watch, then?”
“I think I’ll just close my eyes and listen to music tonight, actually. Is that okay with you? I’m kind of tired.”
“Sure. I mean, it’s almost your bedtime, so…”
It’s not even nine thirty, but I do like to be in bed by ten.
He smooths out the top sheet and blankets before hopping down off the ladder. “Your bed awaits,” he says.
“Thank you.”
“You take a Dramamine?”
“Yes. I’m sure it will help.” I grab my iPad and earbuds and get settled in the top bunk under the covers. “You should wear something with long sleeves,” I tell him. “These blankets aren’t very warm.”
