Page 33 of Unraveled

“That would imply the chemistry—the laughter and fun I had with you—wasn’t real.”

“It was, but they can’t last.”

“I realize you have a fight ahead of you, one I’m only starting to understand, but let me be part of it at least. Let me be on your side.”

“You can’t know what this will be like.” The level of commitment it would take. “To be fair, neither do I. After today, I might need some space. I need to process all this, too.”

He held my hand up to his face, kissing the inside of my wrist in an intimate gesture. “How about I’ll give you as much space as you need? Just don’t shut me out completely. We’ll email and text. Figure it out as we go.”

My head was telling me no while my heart was ready to throw a mutiny. Hope was becoming a terrible, four-letter word. But all he was asking for were emails and texts. I could do that.

“Are you okay with me staying while you’re in surgery? I’d like to see you when you wake up. Then I’ll give you your space.”

“You must be insane if you’re voluntarily spending the next three hours with my mother in the waiting room.”

“I did tell you, green is my favorite color. I’d like to see it in your eyes when you wake up.”

I sighed at the memory of yesterday. It already felt a lifetime away.

“And aside from wanting to assure you’re okay, I owe Russ. If I stay, then I can be here for him. Hopefully, you’re not too angry with him.”

“I’d forgotten why I would be by now. Do you mean what you said?” I didn’t want him to be disappointed if he didn’t hear from me for a while. I might need some time without him to deal with the aftermath of my mastectomy.

“That I’m an ass man? Absolutely. I probably should’ve been honest, but you were adamant about the girls getting all of the attention.”

Although he was joking, I could tell it was a cover for the concern I saw reflected on his face and in his furrowed brow. “I meant about being okay with only texts or emails after I’m released. I may need some time.” I’d never been the girl who could fake it. If I was in a lousy mood, I typically caused collateral damage.

“Yes. I’m very serious.”

When the nurse came in, I knew time was running short.

It seemed to dawn on Kellan as well. “I suppose I should get your family.”

The nurse with the kind face said, “I’ll send them back. You two get your last minute together.”

He didn’t hesitate, going in for the kiss the moment she turned her back.

“I haven’t eaten or drunk anything. My breath—”

“I don’t care,” he whispered before taking my lips in a kiss so unbelievably sweet, it made my heart ache. His tongue invaded my mouth, making my toes curl and desire bloom. Good Lord, the man knew how to kiss. He pulled away regretfully as we heard voices approach.

“Rain check for a better one next time.”

“Any better, and we’d be kicked out for pre-surgical indecency.”

He chuckled before stealing one last kiss, this one on my forehead. He was still holding my hand when my family came back in.

Although she looked curious, my mother managed not to ask questions. I wondered if Russ had told her not to. Either way, I was grateful.

But she started getting emotional when the surgeon came in. As was typical for her, she immediately hijacked his attention. “I keep telling her it’s not good to recover without her family helping.”

Dr. Gupta, my surgeon, gave her a reassuring smile. “You must be Layla’s mother. I’m Dr. Gupta, your daughter’s surgeon.”

She extended her hand to shake his. “Sorry, it was rude not to introduce myself. I’m Marie. This is Layla’s father, Henry, and her brother, Russ, and Kellan is here, too. I’m very worried about her after-care. I’m retired from forty years in the field of marketing—”

This. This is what my mom did. Turned the conversation toward herself. Luckily, Dr. Gupta was a patient man, waiting until she finished.

“—and I have the time to take care of her.”