Page 20 of Unraveled

“I wish I was off to travel,” she said, “although I’m afraid I’d get seasick on a cruise.” She stopped and grinned. “Okay, I’d love to do dinner. What time?”

Normally, I worked a good twelve- to thirteen-hour day. With my Monday meeting with Carly and her parents in the morning, I had no idea what to expect of tomorrow. But my time with Layla was limited, so I decided to do something very rare. I would take off early. “How about you come over at six?”

“Sounds good. What are you cooking me?”

Given her sense of humor, I knew she wouldn’t take offense when I quipped, “It’s your turn to guess.”

Chapter Six

Kellan

Turned out, a morning person Layla was not. I could tell by the way she reluctantly rolled herself out of my bed once the alarm clock went off at four.

“You’re welcome to sleep here as long as you like,” I offered.

Frankly, I could get used to the idea of her in my bed and in my home.

“I’ve known you two days. You shouldn’t trust me alone in your house.” She was already getting dressed.

Logically speaking, she was right. Yet I felt comfortable with her, as if we’d known each other a good while.

By the time I’d made coffee downstairs in the kitchen, she was coming down with her bag in hand and her hair pulled back.

“Thank God, you have coffee. You have a to-go cup I can borrow?”

“I do, or you can drink it here and take your time.”

She cocked her head to the side. “You really are a gentleman, aren’t you?”

After pouring her java, I turned and pulled her into me. “Not every time.” I framed her face with my hands. “Especially not once you’re naked.”

“I like that side of you.” She leaned in to take my lips in a scorcher of a kiss.

By the time she stepped back, I was hard and wanting nothing more than to return upstairs.

“I’d better go before you’re late for work.”

“I’m tempted to call off sick.” I’d never uttered those words before.

“Better not. I have appointments today, so it’s probably a good thing I get an early start myself. Plus, I rather enjoy the anticipation of tonight.”

I dropped one last kiss on her upturned face while shaking off the craziness she was making me consider. “Me too. Here, let me take your bag. I’ll walk you down.”

After kissing her goodbye, I watched her pull away from the curb, already missing her. It made me wonder what Friday would hold.

I arrived a few minutes early to the Williamses’ house and took in the view of the water. Then I turned to look at the house. It was a beautiful old mansion on a large waterfront lot, but it needed a lot of updating. So much so that the Williamses had moved out for the duration of the work. According to the plans, the place would look exceptional once it was finished. A project that would no doubt get my business off to the best start. The burning question was how much I could put up with from my ex through this four-month project.

The truth was, although her betrayal had hurt, it had been my cousin’s participation that had caused the only long-term effects. He’d made excuses, he’d apologized, but the relationship with my very best friend had died that day. So had our plans to take over his father’s successful home-building and remodeling business. I hadn’t spoken with Brandon since. I’d heard that he’d gone through with his plans and had grown his father’s business. The news drove me on to make my own mark.

The sound of tires crunching on the driveway had me turning around to see a white Land Rover coming toward me. Carly was behind the wheel. There didn’t appear to be anyone else in the car.

She parked and stepped out of the vehicle, looking as though she was on her way out for the night rather than a remodel site to meet with the builder. When we’d met, I’d thought she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. But she’d come from money, and I’d always felt unworthy, with two working-class parents and a job I worked to help fund college. Now, being a confident man, I no longer let anyone diminish me.

“Kellan, how nice to see you.” She went in for the hug, which I endured but didn’t return.

“Where are your parents?”

She stepped back, a perfect pout on her painted lips. “Coming any minute. We thought tonight over dinner we could discuss the furnishings.”