“But you’re not going to?”
“I’m determined not to cave on the first night.”
“Good. I’m glad, even though I really want to kiss you.”
I say, “Well, if you’re dying to put your lips on someone, I’ll bring Patrick’s picture over here for you to kiss.”
Wendy’s giggle makes me smile.
“Oh, please do,” she says.
“Nope. I’ve changed my mind. I’m not sharing your bed with anyone else.”
“You’d better not.”
Her eyes close, and after a minute of silence, I wonder if she already fell asleep.
“Thank you for staying.” Her hand finds one of mine under the covers, and she laces our fingers together, sending a warm feeling racing through my body. “I didn’t want to be alone.”
“I know you didn’t. That’s why I’m here.”
“Randall?” She suddenly sounds unsure, which sends a pang to my gut.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Will you spoon me?”
“I’m dying to spoon you.” And it may well kill me, but if she wants me to spoon her, I’m going to. “Turn over.”
She flips so she’s facing away from me, and I wrap my arm around her middle and pull her into me. Then I readjust the pillows until we’re both comfortable.
“You good?”
“Mmhm. This is perfect.” She rests her hand on top of mine on her stomach. “Night, Ponyboy.”
“Night, Glinda.” I kiss the back of her head.
She sighs, and within minutes her breathing and pulse even out into the calm rhythm of sleep.
Mine won’t be calm anytime soon.
* * *
Music jolts me awake, and I’m confused for a few moments until I register I’m in Wendy’s bed and she’s sprawled mostly on top of me.
“Make it stop,” she mumbles into my chest.
I flail my arm out but can’t reach her nightstand, so I wrap an arm around her and slide us both over in the bed. Then I slap at the alarm until I connect with a button that stops George Harrison from declaring over and over that he has his mind set on someone.
“Morning,” I tell her as I trail my fingertips up and down her back.
“You’re still here.” She lifts her head up enough to look at me through slitted eyes.
“Of course I’m still here.”
Her head drops back down onto me. “I don’t like mornings.”
“Good to know.”
