First message
I woke up before she did, sunlight cutting across my bedroom like it had a personal vendetta. For a second I panicked—oh God, did I screw this up?—then I remembered. Couch. Blankets. Nothing crossed. I’d been very proud of myself about that part.
She stirred, groaning softly, and I winced in sympathy. Morning, I said gently, already reaching for the glass of water I’d set on the nightstand. You survived the party. Barely.
She blinked at me, confused, then laughed weakly. “My head feels like it’s hosting a drum circle.”
Yeah, that tracks. I handed her the water and, without thinking too hard, grabbed the bottle from my dresser. Here—this should help.
She took it, swallowing obediently, and I felt a weird flicker of unease as the label finally turned toward me.
Oh no.
My stomach dropped. Of all the bottles to mix up.
I watched her for a beat, heart pounding, then cleared my throat. Okay, so… tiny confession. That was not aspirin. I raised both hands quickly. Nothing dangerous. Just—uh—something I definitely should have labeled better.
Her eyebrow lifted, slow and curious. “What did you give me?”
I swallowed. Something that… encourages enthusiasm.
The air shifted. Subtle at first. Charged. And suddenly I realized this morning was about to get a lot more complicated than a hangover.