Page 32 of Silver Fake

"Hey," I say quietly, walking towards the couch, but Lisa doesn't move.

She's propped up against the armrest with her legs stretched across the cushions. The book she said she was planning to read is still open, loosely held in her hand that's lying on her stomach. Her head is drooping down against the back of the couch, and she's sleeping peacefully. She's still dressed from dinner, but her hair is piled in a loose bun on top of her head.

Smiling, I brush a few loose strands of hair away from her face. A soft sigh escapes her lips, and she turns towards my touch. Warmth fills me up, and it's like my heart is swelling seeing her asleep in my room like she belongs here with me.

I bend over her and gently rub her shoulder with my hand. "Sleeping beauty, wake up."

Lisa's eyes flutter open, and I wonder what it would feel like to see her wake up every morning beside me.

"Oh," she rubs her eyes. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's fine. I just thought you'd be more comfortable in your pajamas and the bed instead of being scrunched on the couch all night."

"Yeah." She sits up, rubbing the back of her neck. "I would regret sleeping here all night, I'm sure."

"Where are your pajamas?" I ask.

She points to her bag sitting on the dresser across from the bed. "I've got some sweats and an old t-shirt in my bag."

I grab her bag, pull out a pair of black sweats and a pink t-shirt, and carry it over to her.

"Do you need me to unzip your dress?" I ask her as she takes the clothes from me.

"That would be great." She turns around so I can get to her zipper.

I unzip it slowly, careful not to catch the material. "There you go. I'll step in the bathroom while you change, so you've got some privacy."

I start for the bathroom, but she grabs my arm. "Actually, do you mind helping? I'm so tired tonight."

My heart is pounding so hard inside my chest that I'm surprised she can't hear it or the people in the next room haven't knocked on our door to ask us to lay off the drum line performance.

"Yeah. No problem."

Lisa slips the dress over her shoulders, and it slowly falls down her body. I take her hand, helping her step out one foot at a time so she doesn't trip over the dress. Then I help her into her sweatpants. She rests her hands on my shoulders as she steps into them, and then gives a sleepy little yawn when I pull her t-shirt over her head.

I chuckle. "Let's get you to bed, princess."

Lisa yawns again. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm so tired."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for. It's late. Let me get you in the bed."

With my arm around her waist, I lead her to the bedside closest to the balcony. I know she loves the view, and this way, she'll be able to see the sunrise when she wakes up. I pull back the blankets, and Lisa sits down before laying back on her side and tucking her hands under the edge of the pillow. Then I pull the blanket up and tuck her in.

Suddenly, her head pops back up. "Where are you going to sleep?"

Taken aback by her question, I scratch the back of my head and reply, "I thought we both agreed that you would take the bed and I would take the couch."

Lisa looks over at the old, lumpy couch skeptically. "That couch? It looks terribly uncomfortable. I think you should sleep here," she says, patting the empty side of the bed.

I hesitate, "Lisa, I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Are you sure?"

She gives me a gentle smile, "Of course, I'm sure. It's a big bed and there's enough space for both of us. I'd rather know you're comfortable."

After a moment of internal debate, I finally relent. "Alright, if you're sure."

I leave the room momentarily to change into my sleepwear--a pair of gray sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. When I reenter the room, Lisa is already settled in, her eyes half-closed.

I slide into the bed next to her, the mattress dipping slightly under my weight. The warmth of her body is close, but not too close, a comforting presence.

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