Sam’s awareness came back in slow intervals. He heard something click outside his dreams. He became aware of the air conditioner kicking on. He realized how light it was behind his eyelids. He shifted in bed, his hand brushing something foreign and soft.
He jerked back, fully awake now. His eyes flew open, and his heart catapulted to the back of his throat. Only a single second passed before he remembered he didn’t sleep alone anymore.
A smile curved his mouth, and he edged closer to his wife, who hated early mornings as much as she hated sci-fi movies. He kissed her forehead anyway. She moaned, and he slid his lips to her ear.
“Stop it,” she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Sam chuckled. “I like waking up next to you,” he murmured before kissing her just below her earlobe. “It still kind o
