Page 78 of Only One Tour Bus

“I don’t love this energy.” My body is angry at why I give a shit about his energy when it could be snuggling his body right now. “It’s very martyr-walking-to-their-execution, which is not the energy most conducive for snuggling.” We have some dignity, body.

He leans over and looks me directly in the eyes. “I want you close to me. Despite how physically uncomfortable you make me when you’re asleep, I’m happier when providing you comfort. So come here. We’ve had a long day and you need rest.”

That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, with also the sternest tone. Nothing I can say in response will be adequate, so I scoot closer to the warm, if slightly sweaty, body and settle in.

This is the best way to end a long day of touring.

CHAPTER 34

CALLUM

And I’m trapped again. I should accept that this is going to be my fate for the foreseeable future, but at least Asha looks comfortable. She’s got her nose tucked into my side like a wee sleepy puppy. I half expect her to twitch her foot, dreaming about chasing a squirrel. Which, upon further reflection, seems like something human Asha would dream about too, but not for dog-chewing related reasons.

She would want to snuggle the squirrel.

I didn’t think I would be charmed by how adorable she is, after the sexually charged night we shared, but here we are.

Arm asleep, aroused, protective, and whatever the word is for the state where I find something cute, I have a lot going on. Which is probably why Asha chooses this emotionally fraught moment to wake up.

Inconvenient ray of sunshine.

“Hi,” she whispers as she blinks sleepily. Again, like that wee puppy. But sexier.

“Good morning.”

She stays there, smiling up at me, and then I shift my arm and the sharp pins and needles almost make me black out in pain. I slide my arm out from under her, hoping I don’t hurt her, and clutch it to my body while I try to breathe through the pain.

“Why do you keep letting me do this to you? Just roll me over, dude. I am a very heavy sleeper; I will not notice.”

“But you were comfortable,” I say through gritted teeth.

Asha looks around like there’s something in this room that will make it better. “Oh, I have pain meds!”

“It’s fine.” I wave away the bottle she gets from her wee, whimsical bag. “The blood just needs to flow again.” It’s already happening, and I move my arm to hasten the process, which unfortunately also increases the pain. “Did you just call me ‘dude’?” I don’t think a woman has ever called me dude before, but that might be more a function of geography, me being an ocean away from the surfers of Southern California.

“Maybe. Who can recall what was said in the past? You can’t go around expecting me to remember things.”

“The past thirty seconds?”

“The past, nonetheless.”

Always an adventure with this one. One that I’m enjoying despite my best efforts to not be charmed by her. Despite how I shouldn’t be getting close to a coworker, especially one that I’m competing with.

Not that she acts like we’re competing. With her optimistic disposition, she hasn’t treated me any differently at the revelation that one of us is going to be out of a job.

The high of last night gets me through the morning, with a refreshed group ready to explore the Swiss Alps. No inane questions, no snappy tourists, no being blamed for the weather. Much better.

Luckily for us, the day is mostly free, even though we gather in the morning to give everyone their options. It boils down to hiking, waterfalls, the highest train station in Europe, or museums.

“Most people are going to go for the train ride to the Top of Europe,” Asha whispers to me. A spot that is, despite its name, not the highest point in Europe. But it is nice.

“With those prices?”

“Everyone is tired, and they want the most touring with the least effort.”

I shake my head at her, certain my group will pull through and pick a nice hike to a waterfall. Or a hike to a museum. Or even a hike to take a selfie with a bloody cow. They’re in the most beautiful place to hike; they wouldn’t want to spend most of their time in a train. A very expensive train.

But spending time with Asha has made me soft, and too optimistic, because the train is what most people choose.