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“I was in band, yes.” I sighed, amusement curling my lips. “Ugh, it was such a typical high school schtick.”

“Let me guess,” Hayden cut in, grabbing my arm and pulling me to the couch. “You were in band and Nikkie was a cheerleader?”

“Nikkie wasthecheerleader.” I laughed. “I had such a massive crush on her, but she only had eyes for this kid on the baseball team.”

“Ew, the baseball team?” Hayden sniffed in distaste. “I’m beginning to think Nikkie has terrible taste.”

“Hewasa douche,” I conceded. “And so was the guy she dated after him. She’s not that great at seeing the blatant red flags they wave in front of her face.”

“At least she has a good friend,” Hayden added, nudging my shoulder gently.

“Would you like to meet her?” I asked, before adding, “Whenever she decides to come home, obviously.”

Hayden sat back, curling her bare feet under her. “Do you want me to meet her?”

I nodded with a smile. “I think you’d both get along really well.”

“Then, I’d love to.”

I lay my head on her shoulder, wrapping my arms around hers.

“What is this show?” Hayden snorted. “Are they… hunting ghosts?”

“Kind of.” I giggled. “They’re brothers, and they travel around the country helping people by, you know, hunting monsters. I’ve watched it since I was a kid, and sometimes I like to just put it on for nostalgia’s sake.”

Hayden hummed, watching one of the lead characters sprinkle salt around the doors and windows. Her fingers trailed along the bare skin of my shin, her breaths slow and deep.

It lulled me into a sense of serenity I’d never experienced. I wanted to hold onto it, cherish it and hide it from the world. To float in the gentle domesticity of our afternoon.

“The tall one has great hair,” Hayden murmured, and I chuckled.

“He does,” I agreed. “And his brother teases him about it all the time.”

“Christ, did that thing just shed itsskin?!”

I pressed my palm to my mouth to smother my giggles, sinking into her side.

“You watch this to unwind?” Hayden cackled, turning her face to look at me. I let my head fall back, my nose brushing the tip of hers.

“It makes me feel comfy,” I murmured, my gaze drifting to her lips.

She smirked, her breath warm and minty. “On this couch?”

“Oh!” I jumped to my feet, holding both hands out to Hayden. She took them, confusion quirking her brow as I lifted her back to her feet. “We can do this.”

She watched, rapt with attention, as I pulled the couch out and turned it into a sleeper.

“Shut up, this is perfect,” she said, climbing back onto the couch and stretching her body out. She patted the spot beside her expectantly.

I followed her onto the couch and she grabbed me by the waist, dragging me down on top of her.

“Hm, much better,” she groaned. “Nowthisis comfy.”

My cheeks ached from smiling and I pressed my lips to hers, slotting my thigh between hers and trying to get as close as I could.

Her hands hooked under my ass, squeezing my thighs as she arched into my kiss.

“I’d even wager that it’s comfier than your luxurious sofa back home,” I teased, pulling back to kiss her dimples, the corners of her eyes, her jaw.