Theodore tried his best not to laugh out loud. He tucked himself in and said calmly, “Thank you."

Thank yourself! Ariana wanted to retort hotly. She grumbled to herself in annoyance. She suspected he did that on purpose.

Too embarrassed to call him out on it, however, she decided not to dwell on it and tried to fall asleep.

She forced her mind to think of something else. She tried the good old way of counting sheep to get herself to sleep. Just when she was about to drift off, she felt a slight pat on her shoulder.

She woke with a start, her eyes flying open and then narrowing in irritation.