Everything was going great. Smooth sailing. Right up until the shampoo bottle slipped out of my hand.
“Oh— Shit— Wait—”
Dragon fruit dew exploded across her scalp, frothing into a pink mountain range.
Cas, blank as ever, sassed, “Professional, huh?”
Bubbles erupted. A tsunami of suds cascaded over the counter, burying Brumous’ head. The wolf sneezed, sending a soap cloud into my nostrils.
“Cruor!” I wiped my nose on my shirt sleeve. “Congrats, Brummy. You’ll be shitting bubbles til Christmas.”
Seri’s laughter rang out, bright, startled, and real. Ko doubled over clutching the island. Even Cas’ mouth twitched as he flicked foam off his sleeve.
And I felt my chest go all funny.
Definitely need that EKG.
His arms folded and eyes sharp, Cas gave me a slow, considering look.
“Well, at least she’s smiling.”
I grinned wider, flicking water at Ko.
“Focus,stylist,” he snickered, eyes dancing. “Your masterpiece’s listing to port.”
Sinking fingers into her sudsy curls, I wrangled the mass back into the sink, then worked the lather down every strand. Brumous shook himself, baptizing the kitchen in a glittery spray. Somewhere beneath the chaos, beneath Ko’s chuckles and Cas’ muttering about mopping the ceiling, I felt it.
The fracture in her, slowly sealing.
#
Her curls coiled around my fingers like satin ribbons as I squeezed out the last of the scented water. Bubbles popped against my wrists, leaving iridescent trails across her scalp.
“All done, sunshine.”
The words came out softer than I’d meant them to, my thumb brushing the shell of her ear. Water droplets clung to her lashes when she blinked up at me.
“Thank you, Zane.” She exhaled slowly, shoulders sinking into the nest of towels. “You’re the best.”
The earnestness punched through my ribs. I swaddled her hair in terry cloth with exaggerated ceremony.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. But I do accept payment in kisses.”
Color flooded her cheeks, carnation pink blooming under pale freckles.
“You’d like my kisses better, beloved.” Ko was suddenly at my elbow, plucking a rogue bubble from my shoulder. “Less frothy.”
“Kissing,” Cas rumbled as he dragged the mop across the floor, “is not a contest.”
Brumous sneezed in agreement, shaking residual suds from his fur.
“Are you always like this?” She pressed both hands to her flaming face and dropped her eyes to her new white socks.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously charming,” Ko corrected, catching her wrist to press a kiss to her pulse point.
