Page 85 of Unraveled

“You mind company over there today? Patty is coming by with a wig, but I could drop by this afternoon.”

I was relieved she’d suggested coming over as I didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone. She was emotionally fragile right now. “I’d love company. I could grill steaks tonight.”

“How about I cook? And don’t worry, I can manage steaks. Thanks for making breakfast.”

I dished her eggs up on one of the two plates I had out and slid the toasted English muffin next to it. “You’re welcome.”

After eating quickly, I did the dishes and gathered her plate. “Sorry to eat and run, but I’m meeting Jack at my place. He’s going to help me today.”

“Don’t apologize. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Although Russ and his parents had gone home last night, I wasn’t surprised to find a text from him asking me to call first thing this morning.

He answered on the first ring. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself.”

“So, how is Layla?”

“Good. I think. She said Patty was dropping by this morning with a wig. Then she’ll be coming over to spend some time with me at my place. We’re supposed to go up to the San Juan Islands next Saturday.”

I felt guilty about having asked her to go away next weekend. The idea must have contributed to how hard she’d taken her hair loss. I should’ve played it by ear instead of making plans so far out.

“It’ll be good for her to get away. Take the focus off the cancer.”

“Hopefully. I told her I’m in love with her.”

“How’d it go?” Clearly, he wasn’t surprised by my admission.

“She didn’t run for the hills. Said it back.” It still gave me a rush to know she felt the same.

“There wasn’t any doubt she’d fall for you eventually. I mean, you know how to saw and hammer and shit. What could be manlier?”

It felt good to laugh.

“Thanks for participating in my crazy plan yesterday.” I’d told him I was going to shave my head, and he’d insisted on doing it, too. His father had joined in on the idea and then, shocking us all, her mother had said she’d cut her hair off, too. So, I’d driven up to Bellingham in order for us to do it all together. After that, the four of us had come down to show Layla.

“Thank you for coming up with it. She’s lucky to have you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Layla knocked on my door about noon. I was in work clothes and dusty from the drywall, but she didn’t seem to care or notice, giving me a kiss straightaway.

As I let her in, she fluffed up her new wig. “You like?”

It was a couple shades lighter than her own hair, and a few inches shorter. “No redhead wigs available? I’ve never been with a redhead,” I joked, earning me a side-eye followed by a grin.

“Funny. I’m hoping to get a darker one, more like my normal hair. I’m planning to look around some more on Monday. Sorry you’re still stuck with a bald head.”

I dropped a kiss to her lips, not worried about her lipstick in the slightest. “It was worth it. We can pretend I’m your military guy home from deployment with one last weekend for us to spend together.”

“Now you’re talking, sailor.”

We both turned to see Jack climbing the basement stairs. He looked red as a tomato. “Sorry to interrupt. I, um, I was getting more nails.”

We both grinned at the young man’s obvious embarrassment. Guess role play could be added to the list for our weekend away.