A faint, unnatural flush spread across her cheeks, accentuating the slightly frail look she had in her current state.
She was practically a walking temptation.
Yet, despite the suggestive scene, her gaze was nothing but serious—no hint of teasing at all.
"This... doesn't seem like a good idea."
Sophie pouted. "Then you have two choices—go home or sleep here with me."
"I'll take the cot."
"Not happening!"
I sighed, feeling a headache coming on.
After a long silence, I finally gave in with a small nod.
Compared to the cot, the hospital bed was much wider.
But it still wasn't big enough for two.
The moment I got in, we were practically pressed against each other.
On instinct, I shifted toward the edge.
Sophie giggled behind her hand. "If you move any further, you're gonna fall off."
My back stiffened.
Clearing my throat, I muttered, "It's fine. The bed's... uh, pretty spacious."
Not that I sounded very convincing.
Especially since half of my body was already hanging off the edge.
Just then, Sophie reached over with her good hand and gave me a firm tug.
"Just stay put. It's not like we haven't slept like this before."
Her voice carried a hint of playful affection, making my heartbeat quicken.
But I was more worried about her injury, so I gave in and shifted slightly closer.
When the lights went out, the room was swallowed in darkness.
All that remained was the sound of our breathing.
Then, Sophie reached for my hand, placed it under her head like a pillow, and murmured in satisfaction, "Now, go to sleep."
I lay there, stiff as a board, afraid to move in case I accidentally hurt her.
But as the night wore on, exhaustion eventually won out, and I drifted into a deep sleep.
---
The next morning, a tickling sensation on my nose pulled me from my slumber.
I groggily scratched at it and turned over, trying to ignore it.
But the sensation returned, persistent this time—accompanied by the soft sound of suppressed laughter.
I cracked one eye open.
Sophie stood beside the bed, trailing the ends of her hair across my nose, a mischievous grin on her lips.
The moment she saw me wake up, she hurriedly tossed her hair aside and ducked her head, looking a little guilty.
I sighed, rubbing my face. "I can't believe I slept that hard..."
"Why are you apologizing?" Sophie laughed, shaking her head.
"If anything, I should be thanking you. I haven't slept this well in a long time."