Cas moved faster. One second she was trembling on the marble, the next cradled against his chest like some Gothic romance cover model. I was jealous of the arm he had under her thighs.
“Idiot,” he grunted at me.
Ko snorted, yanking three towels from my precious pile and smoothing them down into a terry cloth pallet.
“There. Lay her back down, Cas. Gently.”
“Don’t tell me how to—”
“You’re twitching like a bear with a bee up its ass. Here.” Ko patted the newly padded counter. “Seri deserves better than your bristly version of care.”
Cas’ glare was green fire, but he set her down like she was made of spun sugar. His big swordsman hands carefully tucked her long tresses into the sink, although he nearly had a full-on freak-out when a curl snagged on one of his calluses. My rolled-up towel was adjusted seven times before he finally stepped back.
“Beat it, grandmas,” I said, hip-checking them both toward the stove. “You’re blocking my lighting. In fact, why don’t you shoo? Hair washing is a sacred ritual. Don’t profane it with your presence.”
“Did you grab every bottle in the house?” Cas asked with something close to humor, his finger tapping the shampoo battalion.
“Bro! You of all people know that options equal strategy. What if citrus makes her gag? What if vanilla’s too basic?”
“It doesn’t matter. Really.” Her nose scrunched. “Whatever you—”
“Nope! This is about whatSeriwants, not aboutwhatever.” The words came out sharper than I meant. Brumous whined, shoving his muzzle under my palm as if to check on my mental wellbeing.
Damn dire reallywasan emotional support dog.
In heavy disguise.
“Speaking of.” Ko leaned against the island, all casual-like. “What’s your favorite scent? You have a usual brand? And do we need anything special to properly care for these gorgeous spirals?”
“Amabel’s usually smelled like coconut.” Seri’s fingers plucked at the towel Cas had draped over her front like a blanket. “Eluned’s was always a strawberry scent.”
“Your stepsisters shared their shampoos with you,” I deadpanned, knowing that was unlikely.
“No, they were just wasteful and threw them out before they were empty.”
Well, fuck.
“Oh!” Her gray eyes widened as a small smile curved her lips. “Once, Arabesque tried a new brand, didn’t like it, and tossed it out after one use! I don’t remember the name, but it was a red bottle and smelled expensive. It was so nice.”
Cas’ phone appeared faster than a cobra strike.
“Red bottle, you said? What fragrance notes would you say ‘expensive’ has?”
“No, youcabbage!” Ko snatched the phone and whapped Cas’ bicep with it. “She means it was the first time she had shampoo security. She doesn’t need you chasing scraps.”
The faucet handle screamed under my grip. For half a heartbeat, I saw Arabesque’s face in the stainless steel, smirking as she dumped empty bottles into Seri’s cracked hands.
Brumous barked.
Right. Focus.
Just then, the rubber duckie escaped my back pocket and flew in a graceful arc of neon yellow glory before Brumous swallowed itwhole. Seri tried to sit up, wincing as she bumped her infected arm, and was denied when she tried to jump down.
“Brummy!” she called out as she squirmed in Cas’ unyielding arms.
“We have a vet on staff?” I crouched next to Brumous.
“Should I try the doggy heimlich?” Ko asked as he crouched, too. “I’m not reaching in there past all those teeth.”
