Page 48 of A Very Friendly Valentine's Day
“You’re very welcome.”
“Shut up.”
“I just said you’re welcome.”
“I hear what you’re thinking and shut up.”
“Okay.”
I grab my jacket from my duffel bag, along with another pair of socks because my feet are already cold in only one pair and wearing this jacket doesn’t do much good either. Those two thin wool blankets aren’t going to do much for me. Serves me right for not bringing a proper coat. And I really need to not bring up the condoms, but it can’t be helped.
“I’m not judging you for being prepared for sex, Birdie.”
She hides under her big coat. “Shhhhh! Shut up shut up shut up!”
“Why are you so embarrassed?”
“I’m not. Stop talking.”
“Okay.” I don’t know why it bothers me that she’s planning to have sex with someone on this trip, other than the fact that I know she wasn’t planning on having sex with me. And I’m sure Lord Scarfington has to have his condoms custom made so they don’t slide off.
But I don’t make a comment about that because—high road.
The speaker on the wall crackles, indicating another announcement from Gavin the conductor, who seems to think he’s hosting a late-night FM radio show. “Good evening, everyone. Gavin the conductor here with my last announcement for the night until we reach our next stop. Unless, of course, something goes terribly, horribly wrong… But nothing will go terribly, horribly wrong. So go ahead and settle in for a good night’s rest. But baby, it’s cold outside as we make our way through Kansas. We’re looking at below freezing temperatures out there, so you may find it a bit chilly on board too. I’m told we’re out of blankets. Hopefully you’ve brought along some warm clothes and socks to sleep in and an extra blanket. If not, maybe there’s someone special you can cuddle up to—for purely thermogenic reasons of course. I know there’s someoneI’dlike to be cuddling with, but I won’t be able to see her for a week. So, if you’ve got a special someone nearby…don’t be shy. Keep it warm, people. Gavin, out.”
Birdie’s coat is shaking, and I know she’s laughing under there.
“Keep it warm, Birdie,” I say. “Eddie, out.” I switch off the main lights and climb into bed.
Fuck.
It’s cold.
It’s so fucking cold.
I let out a heavy, annoyed sigh.
“You’re cold, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you put on more clothes?”
“These are the only sweats I brought.”
“Put on a sweater.”
I don’t respond.
“You only brought those thin sweaters, didn’t you?”
“I was planning to buy a coat in New York.”
“You were planning on being naked the whole time.”
My stubborn silence is the only answer she needs.
“Oh, Edward.”
