So there we were—I won't say we were cuddling—on the chair, leaning toward each other under the blanket. Devin would tell me to close my eyes but I would peek. I always peeked. I was too curious. Unfortunately Devin realized, and he started covering my eyes for me.
I pulled his hand down a couple of times and regretted it soon after, often times screaming and shutting my eyes tight. Devin would just chuckle and tighten the arm already around me.
Finally, toward the last twenty minutes, I was able to watch with only a few panicked moments. At the end, I turned to Devin and said, “I can’t believe they just ended it like that. I mean if the husband’s not a crazy maniac by the time they get to the next town they’ll either die from radiation or from the next government-initiated takedown. I mean what a horribly depressing and freakishly scary movie.”
Devin laughed. “You’re going to have nightmares, aren’t you?”
“I’ll be fine,” I lied. “I’ll just sleep with the lights on and barricade my door in case you go crazy in the night and want to kill me.”
“CJ, what about your melatonin levels?”
I looked at him quizzically.
“When you sleep with the light on, your skin can sense it. It's important to sleep in as dark a room as possible, so your body can produce melatonin.”
I burst out laughing. “Sure thing, Doctor Oz!”
“I'm serious, it's really important for good health. But for now, how about you try and go to sleep here and I’ll bring you upstairs later. That way you know you’re safe and healthy!”
I yawned and nodded my head then shifted so I was more comfortable. Being more comfortable also meant leaning more toward Devin and resting my head on his shoulder.
He shifted slightly too, and I think he pulled out his phone and set the alarm because I woke up to the annoying beep of his phone alarm and sure enough we had both fallen asleep.
I moaned as the phone continued to beep. “Devin. Dev, get the phone.” I pushed him slightly, and he picked the phone off the table next to him and shut off the alarm. “What time is it?” I asked as I yawned and rubbed my eyes.
“Time to get up. It’s seven.”
I moaned again and stretched as best I could in a reclining chair that was holding two people.
Devin stood up and stretched a couple times before he held out his hands to help me up. We said nothing further as we walked up the stairs and each went to our respective rooms to get ready.
I came downstairs after my shower and Devin poured me some coffee. I nodded my thanks and we both drank our coffee silently until we were almost done.
“Are you going to eat anything?” Devin asked.
“No. Just the coffee. We have a staff meeting this morning so there will probably be something to eat.”
“I have to go, so I’ll talk to you soon, okay?” He stood up and put his cup in the sink then walked back to where I sat. “Have a good day at work.” He smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder.
I looked up at him and grinned. “Bye, Dev.”
Chapter Seven
I couldn’t believe what happened. I came back from the staff meeting and flowers were sitting on my desk in a beautiful vase. Shelly, the girl covering for me, said they were dropped off by a handsome guy who said they were for his girlfriend, me. Devin had brought them here! I just couldn’t believe it. They were a gorgeous mix of colorful Gerbera daisies, my favorite. I pulled out the note, which had obviously been opened by Shelly— she apologized for sneaking a peek—and smiled at how ridiculous the whole thing was.
“I thought you weren’t dating,” Shelly asked.
“We were keeping it a secret until we were ready to tell my family,” I lied. “He’s my brother’s best friend.”
“Oh, I see,” she said. “A real Romeo and Juliet story.”
“Not that extreme.” I laughed. “My sister also kind of likes him so it’s complicated.”
Shelly made a very big, silent ‘oh’ with her lips and drummed her fingers on the desk counter. “I better get back.”
“Sure. See you later,” I said then pulled out my phone.
Thanks for the flowers, Dev
No problem, CJ.
I just wish I could have seen you.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
Yeah, right. You knew I had a meeting.
You purposely came when someone else
would have to accept them so they would
tell everyone.
Did it work?
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