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“I’m a sneaky tickler though. I always win,” she challenged. Without warning, she pinched my side, and I yelped, a high-pitched sound that rivaled a chihuahua.
“Oh my God, Theo, that was embarrassing.” Em chose to look up from her phone then. Of course.
Audrey snorted and leaned onto me, her deep laughter vibrating against my chest, and the urge to kiss her overwhelmed me. How could this girl think no one would choose her? She was incredible.
“Enough, enough you animals. Daniel needs sleep so we gotta start the movie.” It was already eight, so we were pushing it, but I wasn’t the parent. My dad could leave his work and come home to do something any time he wanted.
Daniel was happy and Em was here, so yeah, this was a fucking win. The movie started, and Daniel settled down. Audrey snuggled next to me, and I about gasped when she rested her head on my shoulder.
I cuddled against her, breathing in her shampoo, and tried not to overthink anything. She wore my clothes, was at my house, and had the softest lips ever. Once the movie was over, I’d ask her out properly.
Only thing—we all fell asleep on the couch.
13
Audrey
I tended to dream in vibrant colors, often waking with my heart racing. Half the time, my dreams were of my dad before he died, chasing me on the beach. We went once when I was twelve, and it was a favorite memory of mine. The other times, it was of a patient I couldn’t save.
This morning though… I woke up without a single racing thought or pounding heart. Sheets were cool and pressing against my face. It smelled like fresh linens and musk. A familiar, spicy tingle floated to my nose, and I opened my eyes to be met with an unfamiliar room.
“Where the hell am I?” I bolted up, my pulse speeding now. This wasn’t my dorm, and I didn’t remember going home with?—
“Morning, Auds.”
Shit.
Theo.
Theo Sanders.
Theo Sanders in the morning with a raspy, sleepy voice that hit me right in my core with lust. I squeezed my eyes shut, replaying the night before as fast as I could. I couldn’t recall anything happening, but why was I in his bed?
At least I wore clothes.
“You sleep okay?”
The voice was distant, like he was on the other side of the room. Peeking one eye open, I found him standing with a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. “What? Did you… did you sleep on the floor?”
“Yes.” He flashed a grin. “You passed out, and I wasn’t about to stay in bed with you without your consent.” He tossed the blankets and pillows onto his comforter before scratching the back of his neck. “Before you get all riled up, I didn’t mind. I’m glad you were relaxed enough to stay here. It means a lot.”
“I don’t remember going to bed.”
“You fell asleep during Toy Story 4, thankfully before the part I cried.” He winked and jutted his chin toward a side door. “The bathroom is in there if you need to use it. I don’t have an extra toothbrush, but I find using my finger works just fine.”
My brain woke up with a jolt, and I played with the hem of his sweatshirt. He gave me his bed while he took the floor. He was a professional hockey player. “Theo, why did you give me your damn bed?”
“Because?” He chuckled. “I feel fine, so don’t worry about me.”
“Did you carry me up here?”
He nodded, and the tips of his ears reddened. “You drooled a little on me too.”
“Shut up.” I tossed a pillow at him and wiped the side of my face, feeling for any evidence. “I didn’t.”
“You’re so easy to tease.” His grin widened. “You’re fucking cute in the morning.”
My stomach swooped from his words, and I wanted to bury myself in his comforter forever. I couldn’t believe I’d slept in his bed. I hadn’t had a sleepover in a decade. Never with a guy. He stared at me with an expectant look, like he was waiting for an answer, and my skin heated with his attention. “Uh, thanks for… the sleep. And the carrying. I can’t believe I passed out.”
