Page 48 of The Dangers of Daydreaming

I scooped up the two on the ground and tossed them behind me on the bed. “Thank you,” I said. “I love a few extra pillows while I sleep.”

She seemed to realize her mistake, and her mouth turned down.

“Don’t worry, I’ll share… for a price.”

“Nah, I’m good. I like a, ah, lack of neck support while I sleep. Better for your spine.”

I nodded sagely. “Awesome. Well, goodnight.” I dramatically gathered up all the pillows and lined them around me before plopping onto my back on top of them. I sighed deeply, stretching out.

“Hope you like scoliosis,” she muttered.

I turned, propping my elbow on a pillow and my chin in my hand. “Hey, Luce, I hate to tell you this, but… You aren’t sounding particularly grateful that I’m helping your spine health. You sure you don’t want one of my pillows?”

“I think you mean my pillows.”

“Don’t see your name on them.” I peered down at the few in front of me.

“If I wasn’t so tired, I’d match your junior high humor with some of my own, but my brain can’t seem to come up with any bad jokes.”

I laughed. “Come on. One little game and you can have your pillows.”

She lay on her back and pressed her eyes closed, as if asking for divine help. “What’s the game?”

“Would you rather.”

Her eyes were on the ceiling. “So, I don’t have to move? Just answer questions?”

“Yep.”

“Deal. But only because it’s my own fault for throwing the pillows, otherwise I’d just demand them back.”

My mouth hitched up. “Fair enough. You have to answer… three questions for each pillow.”

“I only need one pillow.”

I assumed as much. “Then three questions.”

“Okay, shoot.”

I was still on my throne of pillows, turned on my side, watching her. She was more shadow than light, and I tried to keep myself from thinking about the fact that she wasright there. In her bed. Right in front of me, but just out of reach.

Maybe I should have just gone to sleep.

“Would you rather…” Several options came to mind. None of them would probably deserve answers. “Do karaoke in our room or have a fashion show in the hallway.”

Her shadowy head turned toward me. “I don’t actually have to do either, right?”

“No, ma’am. I promised you could stay in bed.”

“Then karaoke. I would turn the volume down.”

“Good loophole.”

She dipped her head gracefully. “Thank you. Next question?”

My fingers tapped against one of the pillows. “Would you rather have just one perfect night or a thousand ordinary ones?”

For a second, she was quiet. “So, like, only one left?”

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