“Well, that’s too bad.”
I scream when I hear the voice. When I look out the glass door, I see Billy leaning against my bathroom door.
“Is this how it’s going to be? You’re going to be a perv and watch me bathe?”
He chuckles. “I hadn’t planned on turning into a pervert, but seeing you in there”—he points at his glass walled shower—“I may have to change my plan.”
“Hardy har.”
“I just wanted to let you know that the food has been ordered. Extra appetizers included.”
“Which ones?” I ask as I wash my hair.
“All of them. I ordered one of each.”
“I love you,” I say with a sigh. Then, I freeze. “I mean….”
He laughs. “You’re hungry. I’ll never believe anything you say when you’re hungry.”
I release a sigh. “Good plan.”
“It’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be out in fourteen.”
Billy laughs again as he leaves the bathroom and I rinse my hair. The next phase of my hair process takes extra time, conditioning. Getting my curls to behave takes care and at least ten minutes. Squeezing out a huge blob of the expensive crème into my hands—one of my only splurges—I work it through the curls and wonder what to do for the next nine minutes. “Shave.” I definitely need to shave.
When all the steps are completed. I step out of the shower and realize I didn’t get a towel. When I look around, I see several hanging on metal bars. When I pull one off, it’s warm. “He’s got a towel warmer?” Holy shit, I’ve hit the jackpot. This guy is perfection. Wrapping it around me, I stand in front of the mirror and look at my scratches. The don’t look terrible. Sure, they’re still red, but the antibiotic cream the doc gave me has helped. I’ll need to put more on my face before bed as well as use the rest of the eye drops. As for my eye, it hurts, but it’s not unbearable. Which reminds me, I’ll need to find a pharmacy tomorrow to refill my eye drops.
Once I’m dressed in my warmest jammies, I grab my pillow and wooby and head out to the living room. I don’t spot him right away, so I set my things on the sectional sofa and sit. Bringing the pillow around to rest behind my back, I pull my wooby up around me. It’s so soft and warm and perfect. Leaning back, I sigh at how cozy I feel.
I turn when the front door opens and the smell of Thai food overtakes the space. I’m about to jump up when I look at Billy. His face holds a strange expression. It’s sort of a half smile and half something else. “What?” I ask.
“That.” He points at me. “That is what I’ve been missing.”
“Huh?” I look down at my quilt. “You need a quilt?”
“No, I need you in my house with your quilt. Seeing you there, all cozy and content, is the best thing I’ve ever seen.” He steps closer. “That and your hair.” He reaches out and touches one of my wild curls still wet from my shower. “I’ve only ever seen the braids. That and the rat’s nest on Christmas Eve morning.” He laughs.
“Yeah, well, in case you don’t remember, you gave me that rat’s nest. So….”
“Oh, I remember.” He leans closer and kisses me softly. “You’re gorgeous. The prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. And having you here.” He looks at his living room. “You gave life to this room. To me. You added color.”
“Oh. That’s nice.” I feel my eyes water. Then I whisper, “Thank you.”
Wiping away the tear, he kisses me again. “We’ll need to get your eye medicine first thing in the morning. It keeps watering.” He winks.
“Shush.” Reaching for the paper bag in his left hand, I take it from him and set it on the large marble coffee table.
“You get plates and silverware. I’ll set everything up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes me.
“And hurry. I’m starving.”
“I’m on it. What do you want to drink?”
“Water.”
