Fake dating (hamzah the fantastic)

chapter 8

The next morning I woke up with Hamzah's arm around me. I could hear him breathing, still asleep, behind me, and I felt his chest rising and falling against my back.

I could feel my face heating up. Honestly I was a little embarrassed that we were sleeping like this. I don't even remember getting into this position.

Last night...I tried to remember what I was doing but my head hurt and everything felt hazy. I guess I drank too much.

I tried to carefully lift Hamzah's arm off of me, but then he shifted behind me and pulled me closer to him.

"Wait," he said, "don't go." His voice was super drowsy. And as he said that, everything I did last night came flooding back to me.

"Oh crap," I said, putting my hand to my forehead. Did I really say all that to him?

"What is it?" he yawned. I turned over so I could face him.

"So do you remember...like what I said last night?" I said carefully.

"Yeah, but don't be embarrassed about it," he said, reading my tone. "Look, I'm...um...happy you told me that. Because it seems like you haven't said any of that out loud, or have had anyone to tell that too. I'm glad I can be that person."

The warm feeling sprouted in my chest again. "Okay, thanks," I said. I guess drunk me had trusted him enough to say that. And maybe sober me kind of felt the same.

"Jeez, this hangover sucks," he said, sitting up. "Do you wanna get coffee?"

And so we ended up on the Miami sidewalk, headed to some random cafe I had found on google maps. He wore a t-shirt, shorts, and a baseball cap. I had a tank top, shorts, and sunglasses on. We probably looked homeless.

The shop wasn't too busy, and the best part was that it had air-conditioning. We both sighed at the satisfaction of being out of the Miami sun.

We both got iced coffee and decided to sit at a table in the corner of the cafe.

"So," I said. "Do we have any, like, set plans for the week?"

"Yeah," he said, sipping at his coffee. "I thought I told you? Jules is having an engagement party on Friday before we leave."

"I didn't know that," I said. "I guess I have to get her a gift or something."

Hamzah said, "Don't worry about that. I got it. We'll probably be going together anyway." Then my phone started buzzing.

It was my mom. "Hello?" I said.

"Hey!" She said. "How's your trip?"

"It's going good."

"Look, I'm sorry honey, but I'm calling because I need help with something."

"Okay," I said. "What is it?"

"The sink in the kitchen isn't working. I don't know what to do."

She sounded super stressed and I guessed she was having another episode.

"Mom, don't worry, okay? Probably just one of the pipes is blocked," I said slowly. "I'll send you info to a plumber that you can call. And if you really need help, call grandpa."

"Okay," she said, still sounding worried. I made eye contact with Hamzah and he raised an eyebrow.

"Mom, I have to go, but call if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks. Love you. Be careful!"

"Love you too. I will." I hung up.

"What was that about?" Hamzah said.