Hypnotism

Twenty minutes later I've showered again and I'm dressed in the clothes I came in with. I feel buzzed and relaxed and giddy, and everything has a hazy edge around it. The lobby looks so beautiful. Everything looks beautiful. And I look beautiful, my smile bright as I look at myself in the mirror. Jason and Aaron come back out into the lobby, fully dressed again and looking tired but pleased. I flush a little and reshoulder my bag. "Thank you so much. Both of you. I mean it."

"Lily..." Aaron begins, his expression for the first time a little unsure.

Jason picks up the slack and pulls a small piece of paper from his pocket. His warm, clean fingers press it into my palm and I look down at it. It's a phone number. As I look back up at him he also looks a little shy. "Our home phone, Lily. We... we'd like to see you again. For a date, if that's acceptable."

I blink. Oh... oh wow. My cheeks hurt as I beam at them. "Yes... it really is."