Page 34 of Exchange of Heart

Corey’s wide eyes didn’t blink.

‘Corey?’

‘Did you perform an exorcism or something?’

‘If I did, it didn’t work, because I’m still you.’ I held out my long, tattooed arm on display, my palm upwards showing the red curved mark. ‘If anything, it brought me closer to vomiting everything I drank last night.’

‘Don’t talk about vomit or drinks.’ He clutched his stomach. ‘Um, what were we talking about?’

‘Living situations.’

‘Right. I think you should move in with me.’

I waited for him to laugh, but the laughter never came. ‘Are you still drunk?’

‘No, I mean it. Move in with me.’

‘Oh, Corey.’ I fanned my face with my hand. ‘We’re moving so fast.’

I didn’t get more than six quick blinks in succession before Corey smacked my fanning hand down.

‘I’m serious. We can help each other get ready, ask questions easier, and if one of us finds the umbrella or figures out how to switch back, we can do it then and there.’

‘This feels like a bad idea. You’re going to fall in love with me.’

I should have been offended by the vicious laugh Corey mustered, but it was too infectious.

‘Seriously, my snores have been compared to a siren’s song of seduction,’ I insisted.

‘Siren’s lure men to their death. Your snores were probably likened to that particular ability.’

‘I haven’t even mentioned my beautiful breath in the morning. The impact of the trash bag hitting the bin to waft a decaying stench into the air? It’s got nothing on what my mouth brews overnight.’

‘I… don’t know what to do with that information.’

‘Then there’s the sleep talking,’ I continued.

‘Stop.’ Corey held his hands up. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Nothing’s going on.’

‘You’re creating a list of your shittiest sleep habits to avoid staying with me.’

‘It’s bad enough you’re experiencing every flaw of my body. At least let me keep the rest private,’ I whined.

‘Never. I might risk running out of things to tease you about.’

I smacked his arm, forgetting my new strength.

‘Ouch,’ Corey yelped.

‘Shit. Sorry, sorry, sorry.’ I rubbed my hand over his small arm, appreciating how smooth I was compared to Corey’s rough skin.

‘Let’s pack your shit and go. Okay?’

I dropped my arm and looked up at him. ‘Wait, why can’t we stay here at mine? I can’t leave Lucky.’

Corey walked from my kitchen to my living room, then into my bedroom.