A drink with the stars

3.

I tossed a little, my legs and back were sore, and my throat felt dry. I didn't open my eyes and raised my hand to my chin, wiping the dampness I could feel at the corner of my mouth. I kept my eyes closed, wanting to return to the dream, I still felt exhausted, but the pounding beats had gone and my head felt clearer. I pressed my eyes shut, wanting to retreat back into my little world and I rolled over in bed, the soft murmur of people outside and the sound of cars and the general bustle of the city broke my thoughts of sleep. I rolled over again, onto my stomach and raised myself up on my forearms, the blinds closed, but the sun still radiated in. I paused for a second, turning awkwardly, realising this wasn't my hotel, but I was waking up, but was this still a dream? It wasn't a dream,. My unbelievable almost perfect first night in New York was actually real. I was waking up in Kate McKinnon's spare bedroom. I sat up quickly, and grabbed my phone from the bedside table, but it was dead, no battery life and I wondered what time it was. I sat up and shuffled to the edge of the bed and  I began to feel like I'd overstayed Kate's  generous welcome. I stood up carefully, my body ached and I still felt like I could sleep a few more hours. I padded over to the bedroom door, gingerly opening it and quietly stepping out, the room opened up into Kate's lounge and kitchen area and my breath caught in my throat for a moment when I realised Kate was sitting on the couch, the television on, but muted, subtitles ran across the screen. I smiled at her and then to the television, thinking it sweet that she hadn't wanted to wake me with noise. "Morning sleepyhead," Kate said with a smile, "how's your head?" I stood awkwardly, feeling bare in front of her, and even more uncomfortable in her clothes, but Kate hadn't noticed my awkwardness and she patted the couch next to her, but I hesitated.  "What time is it?" I held up my phone which I still had in my hand, "no battery," I explained. Kate looked at her wrist, her Fitbit illuminating, "one thirty," she stated and then looked back to me with a smile. I froze, suddenly feeling awful, imposing on someone I'd just met, and a celebrity at that, one that must have plenty other better things to do than take care of a random stranger. Kate could sense the panic and she stood, "Hey," she said, bending to pick up the remote and flicked off the television, "it's totally okay." Kate chuckled, shaking her head as she laughed, "I mean I don't usually have strangers come and stay the night, but I mean we aren't strangers right?" I nodded in reply, "Well we do know a lot about each other after last night," I said with a laugh, "So I guess...friends?" Kate laughed and sat back down on the couch, patting the seat next to her again, and I graciously walked over to her, pulling the blanket off the back of the couch and draping it over my legs, tucking them up under me as I sat. Kate looked over at me and smiled, "Can I get you anything? You want some breakfast?" I shook my head, although I was desperate for a coffee, but Kate had done enough and had been kind enough, that I decided I would get one on the way back to my accommodation.

There was silence between us for a while, a few smiles were exchanged and Kate handed me a phone charger which I graciously accepted, plugging in my phone.
"So," Kate said, "excited about the job? And working here in New York?" I nodded, watching as my phone battery filled with power, and I looked back to Kate, the beats in my chest grew heavy and loud, and I paused, nodding again. "It'll be different working here, but I must admit I am looking forward to the excitement of it all, especially in a location like this," I replied, almost a little too loud as I was sure the beat of my heart was muffling my words. Kate smiled, "It sure is a wonderful city, and you've been here one day, think of all the other things we can do while you're here." Kate paused, looking away briefly, but all I could comprehend was the use of the word we and I repeated it in my head a few times before smiling back at Kate, sure now that she could hear my pounding heart. So I swallowed hard, "I should probably get back to my place," I said a little too quickly, the look Kate had on her face was almost one of disappointment, and I suddenly felt like I was brushing her off. I pressed my lips together hard, "You drink coffee Kate," I said, almost as a peace offering, and she nodded slowly, "want to walk me back to my hotel, and I'll grab us a coffee on the way?" Kate smiled eagerly, and our eyes lingered on each other's, and I felt mine drop to her lips and jawline, and I knew she had caught me looking, she smiled softly, blushing.