‘You can do it again any time you want. Every night for the rest of your life, if you like.’
Somehow I already knew that. ‘You live in Ireland now?’
‘Soon.’
Sleep was pulling me deep into its delicious slipstream. ‘Best news of all time. Luke, would you do me a favour?’
‘Anything.’
‘When we wake up, could you ask me something?’
‘Of course.’
‘Can you say, “I suppose a ride is out of the question?”’
With a jolt of unexpected laughter, he said, ‘Done.’
He settled the duvet over us both, then turned out the light.
Skin against skin, his lips in my hair, my hand on his thigh, his arm across my body. My tight chest loosened and eased, every individual breath slow and calm. His exhales lengthened until, without even trying, we were keeping time with each other.
Together, we tumbled off the edge of the world into a deep, sweet sleep.