Page 52 of Only One Tour Bus

Because Callum bought me a souvenir.

CHAPTER 22

CALLUM

I’m stuck.

In the grand scheme of things, maybe being stuck in a comfortable bed in Paris with an attractive woman would not be the end-of-the-world situation that I’m making it out to be.

But the woman is aggravating, has terrible taste in souvenirs, and has discharged snot on my jumper. And there was no sex leading up to this current situation.

After we finished dinner, I didn’t want to leave Asha. To make sure that she didn’t get worse without me here, because I am very dedicated to this job that I only like half of.

So I stayed and we watched some of The Office in French. The only good view of the TV was from the bed, so that’s where we went. On opposite sides of the bed, like the platonic coworkers we are.

But then the night wore on, and Asha took some cold medication, the night version. In retrospect, I should have left at that point. Because very soon after those meds, she started drifting off and waking up, repeating the process of her fitful sleep while Jim flirted with Pam. I should really have left then.

But I didn’t.

Then, in Asha’s drug-fueled sleep, she decided I made a better pillow than the ones provided by our affordable hotel, burrowing under my arm, which is still wrapped around her. Then I couldn’t leave.

I don’t like cuddling. I don’t understand why so many people sing its praises. It creates too much heat and makes body parts (mine) inevitably fall asleep. But Asha looked comfortable. She needs all the rest she can, to get better. So I left her for a bit.

And then I fell asleep.

So now I have tingling body parts (not that one), the aforementioned snot, and a pain in my neck every time I think of moving it. All practical examples of why I’m morally opposed to cuddling. There’s no reason to be that near someone at night, which is for rest.

But she looked like she was enjoying herself. And then I surprised myself by falling asleep, too.

I shift to retrieve my phone from my pocket, freezing when Asha moves in response, and moving when she settles against me again. I turn the screen on and sag in relief that today is a free day. Because we would be late if it was a tour day.

My sag is the thing that finally wakes Asha up. “Hi.” She smiles up at me, and I don’t think she’s fully realized where, and how, we’re positioned. I hold my breath and stay still until she realizes and slaps me for having my arm around her all night. And I’ll enjoy her smile in the meantime.

“Oh shit. Sorry about that.” Asha notices the snot on my jumper and grimaces as she tries to wipe it with one of the tissues. Then she gives up when that doesn’t work and sets the tissue on top of it.

Out of sight, out of mind, apparently.

“Does everyone know what they’re going to do today and how they’re going to get there?” Asha gets up and stretches, the movement pulling her shirt up to show a tantalizing bit of soft stomach.

Now that I’m not trapped by her slight weight, I bound up from the bed and look away before I can embarrass myself by reacting to the small amount of skin I saw. Reacting in a very obvious way that I wouldn’t be able to hide, if she chose to look over.

“Yes. I asked, and did they take me up on it. I was standing like an eejit in the Tuileries Garden for almost an hour repeating the same instructions while the tourists refused to write anything down until the third explanation. Despite the fact that I had handed them all the very comprehensive lists and maps I made for Paris. Very frustrating.”

“I’m sure they appreciated it.”

“Probably not. Ungrateful brats.”

Asha checks her phone. “No one has sent a help-me text, so they must all be having a good day.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You couldn’t just trust me?”

“I do trust you. But who knows what the babies get up to?”

“As the grown adults are fine, we have the whole day unbothered.”

“Right, the next group thing is Versailles tomorrow.”

“How are you feeling?”