Page 16 of Unraveled

She wasn’t alone. I would be thinking about her all day. “I better eat some pancakes and get back outside before your brother returns.”

“I’m gonna go take that shower now.”

The image that came to mind with this statement made me groan. “Until tonight, then.”

She gave me a small wave and headed down the hallway of the small rancher, disappearing into what I assumed was the guest bedroom or bath. Too bad I couldn’t join her. I definitely could use a cold shower about now.

Chapter Five

Kellan

Russ and I finished the deck by three o’clock that afternoon, after stopping only briefly to scarf down some pizza he’d had delivered. There were no more sightings of Layla, but I couldn’t resist bringing her up to her brother. I figured I’d broach the subject casually.

“I’m glad you called your sister to come out last night. It certainly sent a message to Carly.” It might be petty to take satisfaction from the performance we’d given, but I wasn’t above relishing it.

He chuckled. “Glad it did. Looks like you two hit it off well enough.”

I didn’t want to get into just how well we’d hit it off. “We did. Are you happy she moved up here?” I figured that was a safe enough question.

“Yeah. I am.”

That was the extent of his reply. So much for getting more information. It was very out of character for Russell not to expand on any sentence. His brevity made him seem as guarded as she appeared. Or maybe it was awkward for him that I’d brought up the subject of Layla at all. I was ninety-nine percent certain he knew we’d spent the night together. Deciding I needed to drop the subject, I switched to football. A safe topic.

During the two-hour drive south from Bellingham to northern Seattle, the place I called home, I was thankful that traffic cooperated. Immediately upon arriving home, I went to work trying to clean up the place. It was a three-level townhouse a few blocks from Green Lake. I’d bought it as a project when I’d first moved here and was in the midst of renovations. The idea was to flip it. The housing market in Seattle was hot, and this area was especially appealing with the lake within walking distance. It was a challenge, though. When you work all day fixing up houses, the last thing you feel like doing is going home to do more of the same. This was the reason my basement was sheetrock, my kitchen remained without countertops, and the adjoining living room had no flooring. But at least both the master bedroom and bath on the top floor were finished. Making the most of that fact, I scrubbed the bathroom and changed the sheets on the bed.

By eight o’clock that evening, I became nervous she’d changed her mind. It was tempting to text her, but I resisted the urge, not wanting to come off as desperate. But the truth was I’d spent the whole day looking forward to seeing her. My eagerness was crazy considering I’d only just met her.

I’d settled in to watch pre-season football, only halfway interested in the game, when my phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize. Because I used my cell phone for both personal and business, I answered in my professional voice. “Hello, this is Kellan McNeal.”

“Hi, Kellan. It’s Carly.”

After last night with Layla, I’d put out of my mind the fact I still had to deal with my ex. “Hello.” I tried not to say it with the dread I was feeling that Carly had my phone number.

“You didn’t mention last night you had a girlfriend.”

“It wasn’t pertinent to our conversation. What do you need?” As much as I wanted this house to be the job putting me on the Seattle map with my business, I wasn’t about to kiss her ass for it.

“I called to confirm we were set for Monday morning.”

“I have a meeting at the house with your stepfather.”

“Yes, and I’m the one coordinating it. I told them we were old friends, and it would be nice to catch up.”

I swallowed my retort as I looked at the text that was buzzing through on my phone. It was from Layla. “Carly, I need to go. I’ll see you Monday.” Whether I wanted to or not. Right now, I had better things to focus on—such as the gorgeous woman texting me.

“Fine. I’ll see you then.” Carly sounded annoyed.

I was already hanging up.

“Stuck in Seattle traffic. Probably won’t make it there for another hour at least. Is that too late to come by?”

Typically, I was in bed by nine in order to wake up by four each morning. Driving to the jobsite early made it so I missed traffic. However, for more hours with her in my bed, I’d gladly sacrifice some sleep.

Already smiling, I responded to her text. “Not too late. See you soon.”

But not soon enough. Once the knock came, almost ninety minutes later, I jumped up and was down the stairs in a shot to open the front door.

“Hi,” I greeted and noted she was dancing around almost as though she—