Reminding You

7. The Last Thing

My arm is numb under Essi and I've been trying to carefully slide it out for god knows how long without waking her. She fell asleep thirty minutes into Dead Poet's Society which, as it turns out, is quite interesting and as much as I'd like to finish the film, it might be weird to stay considering how little we truly know each other. Obviously, we have intense chemistry and get along well but she probably doesn't want me lingering around her apartment, especially while she's sleeping.

I finally free my arm and steadily allow her to drift into the corner of the couch. Sitting at the edge of the couch, I decide it's best to send a quick text letting her know I left. I retrieve my phone from my pocket and type out a message.

Hey, had a great time tonight. I slipped out so you could sleep. See you soon?

The moment the message goes through, there's a blaring ringtone coming from my left. I try to locate the sound, hoping to silence it before she stirs. Why is her alert tone so loud? Goodness. Essi's face is crumpled but she appears to still be asleep as I rustle around the couch, coming up empty handed. It's not between any cushions, so I delicately raise the throw blanket from her torso and instantly hear a muffled thud as her phone falls from the hovering blanket onto her thigh.

She grumbles incoherently and turns into the couch more, presumably a heavy sleeper. Honestly, who has their notification sound set to repeat anyway? I reach down and cautiously grab the phone, swiping away the message icon that says there are multiple, unread ones. An abrupt silence falls on the room. Placing it on the coffee table, I go to stand but stop as she rustles. Essi takes a sharp breathe and rotates back towards me, blinking awake. Really?

"What happened? What time is it?" Fuck. Her sleepy voice is quite possibly the sexiest thing I've ever heard. What is it about a groggy timbre that's so attractive? Scientists should really look into this.

"It's almost eight. Your phone was going off."

"Oh, sorry, it's loud," she says, raising up to grab it. "Who was it?"

"Me," I smile. "I didn't want to just leave, so I sent a text but I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright." She stands, stretches, and meanders to the lamp in the corner, flicking it on. "So you were trying to sneak out on me?"

"Definitely n-"

"I'm just kidding," she giggles, and picks up the remote to switch off the television. "Sorry, I'm such a bore."

"You're not," I promise. "The movie was actually good, but I kept being distracted by your cute self and all the snoring you were doing."

"Stop. I was not."

"Only a little." 

She shakes her head in response, apparently too tired to care that much. Instead, she yawns unabashedly and blinks away the water that fills her eyes after it.

"Anyway, I'll let you rest. It's getting late."

She nods, eyes half closed already and sniffles slightly. Usually, at this point of the night with most girls, I'd be getting a goodbye kiss at least but for some reason that doesn't feel right with Essi. Not that I don't want to kiss her but she's all sleepy and cute and I haven't properly taken her on a date yet, so I opt out. Chicken out, really. Instead I walk to her, embracing her warmly and press my lips to the side of her head. She leans into the hug, exhaling slowly.

"Goodnight, then." Her voice is velvety.

"Goodnight," I recite, walking to the front door. "You working tomorrow?"

She scrunches her face in remembrance, "Yeah, I close."

"Alright, feel better. I'll see you tomorrow."

She smiles lazily as I shut the door behind me. Shit, I am way in over my head with this girl.

***

"How much?" I ask, bracing.

"Five thousand. She wants cash."

"Of course she does," I twirl a pen between my fingers, peering over the downtown view from my office.

"I'm kind of surprised she didn't ask for more," he thinks out loud.

I sigh, weighing my options. "Fine, if that's what it takes. I guess I'll buy her next Chanel fucking bag, then."

"Language, Nicolson," he warns.

"Sorry."

"You know how I feel about this whole thing," he empathizes, "I just can't have you getting emotional. I'll handle it. Stay focused, it's almost over."

I close my eyes, placing the pen down. "You're right," I meet his concerned gaze. "It's just difficult not to get frustrated when she keeps trying to get money out of me at every corner. Now this too? Five thousand is what he's worth to her apparently." I scoff and swallow another expletive.

"Listen, as much as I love getting paid, it's not worth the lawyer fees to fight her. You're paying five thousand to get him back, but also piece of mind. This is the last thing she has over you. Let's finish this case gracefully."

"Yeah," I nod. "Thanks for everything, again and for coming in on a Sunday. I couldn't have gotten through this without you."

"Dude, don't get all sappy on me now. It was my pleasure to remove every last remainder of your ex from your life and still call it work," he laughs.

"You definitely charge enough for it to be pleasurable," I stand, extending my hand to initiate a man hug.

"And you got the friend discount. You should should see my rates at full-price." I smile as he heads out and glance at the clock. Two. I wonder if Essi's at the cafe, yet.

Little peak into his head more. Also, shout out to all the times guys have let their arms go numb in the name of cuddling. Your sacrifice doesn't go unnoticed haha