Mary’s head was throbbing. For a few seconds, she had no idea where she was or why her mouth was so dry. She squinted at the window. The sun was barely up. Things slowly came back to her. She was in DC!

Mary pushed herself up. A wave of nausea quickly followed. She grabbed her stomach and sat completely still. Her mouth was as dry as cotton. Right, the bottle of champagne.

“Oh, fuck,” Mary groaned and lowered herself back onto the pillow.

She covered her eyes as more memories of last night started coming back to her. What she had told Lex on the couch. Lex helping her into the bedroom and onto the bed. Lex kissing her hand. Lex holding her hand.

A big grin spread across her face. It made the throbbing worse, though, and the corners of her mouth dropped again. She looked to her side, without moving her head, and saw that the sheets were messy.

Wait, had Lex slept here? With her?! If so, where was she now? Mary heard a door click shut in the distance. Was Lex leaving? No, someone was walking around in the living room, Mary realized, relieved.

She should probably get out of bed. But she was afraid to face Lex. How was she supposed to explain downing a whole bottle of champagne? Not only did she now have to travel home with a hangover, she had also made an utter fool of herself.

Mary reluctantly considered the other reason she was hesitant to walk out there. Had Lex meant what she had said last night? Or had she just been trying to appease Mary’s drunken ass?

Mary glanced at the sheets again. She wished she had woken up sooner. She could have watched Lex sleep. It might have been her only chance ever. She rubbed her temples and sighed.

Lex’s voice startled her. “Good morning, party animal.”

Mary ’s eyes snapped to the door. “Good morning.” Her voice wasn’t very cooperative.

“Figured you might need this,” Lex said and lifted her hand. She was holding a glass of water.

Mary pushed herself up on her elbows. “Do you also have 20 Tylenol?”

“I have one,” Lex giggled and walked over. She was in loose, cotton shorts and a shirt.

“Thank you,” Mary whispered, accepting the water and medicine.

Lex pointed at a spot next to her. “Mind if I sit?”

Mary swallowed down the pill and shook her head in surprise. “Of course not,” she coughed.

“Your stuff just got here,” Lex said. She lowered herself next to Mary.

Mary took another sip of water. “Oh, right. I guess I better get up and check everything.”

Lex smiled at her. “Yeah, but give that pill some time to kick in.”

Mary lowered her gaze, embarrassed. “I’m sorry about last night.”

Lex’s chest rose slowly before she spoke. “No need.”

If only Lex would hold her hand again, Mary thought. “No more pretending,” Lex had told her. Did that promise still stand? And what exactly did it mean? It had seemed like a significant statement last night.

Now that Mary’s mind was no longer flooded with alcohol, though, she saw that it could mean so many things. What had she even meant by it? What on earth were they supposed to do next? Go on a date? Her stomach was in knots now.

“You’re beautiful when you sleep,” Lex said softly, startling Mary.

A blush crept up her neck. She was too baffled to reply. Lex averted her gaze shyly and focused on the window. Mary placed the glass on the nightstand and reached for Lex’s hand, aching for connection.

Lex immediately responded and their fingers entwined, as effortlessly as if they had done this a million times before. They both sat staring down for a long moment. Lex squeezed Mary’s hand and took in a deep breath.

“I’m not sure where exactly we go from here,” she admitted.

Mary’s throat tightened with anxiety. So Lex had already changed her mind after all?