Page 25 of Unraveled

“I understand this ends on Friday. But I’d like to see you as much as possible between now and then.”

Finally, she relaxed. “Okay. How about I pick something up and meet you at seven? That will give you time to get home. Know that I wouldn’t be opposed to you waiting until I get here before taking your shower.”

“Mm, neither would I.” So, we had a date for Tuesday. Wednesday night would be impossible as I had to do a walk-through on the Bellevue job that evening. And then Thursday would be my last chance to spend time with her. I already knew one short evening wouldn’t do it. “What about Thursday? Do you have plans during the day?”

“I have appointments in the morning, but after that I planned to do the touristy thing around Seattle.”

“You want some company?”

“You’re planning to take the day off?”

I shouldn’t. But if I put in extra hours on Friday and through the weekend, I’d be finished with my other work in time to start on the Williamses’ house come Monday. “Yes.” For her, I’d make it work.

Chapter Seven

Kellan

Layla met me at my place at eleven o’clock on Thursday morning. She was dressed casually in khaki shorts and a black T-shirt and looked sexy as hell. I wanted to take her upstairs before we ventured out, but she was clearly excited about touring the city. And I was committed to giving her the best day ever.

“Where to first?” I asked as she drove us in her car toward downtown Seattle.

“Pike Place Market.”

It had been two decades since I’d been to the market. She echoed my thoughts, saying, “I haven’t been since I was little.”

“Me, neither.”

Because it was a weekday, the place wasn’t overly crowded, but there were a fair number of people milling about since it was such a beautiful day. Surprising me, she made our first stop for ice cream.

“Dessert before lunch?”

She shrugged. “Live a little and humor me?”

As if I could resist. “Yes, ma’am. What’s your pleasure?”

Her sexy smirk hinted she wasn’t thinking of ice cream. “I’m a mint-chocolate-chip kind of girl. How about you?”

“Rocky road.” Finding out this tidbit made me want to ask a whole lot more. We accepted our cones and walked for a spell while eating them. “Favorite flower?”

She cocked a brow. “Is this the get-to-know-you round?”

I chuckled. “I’m cramming it all in before you go.”

Her expression was sad for a moment before she gave me a big smile. Then, standing on her tiptoes, she kissed me softly. “I love honeysuckle, which isn’t really a flower you’d buy in a bouquet, but the smell is divine. I adore lilies for the same reason. They smell amazing. What’s your favorite color?”

I moved her sunglasses so they were on top of her head. “Green, like the color of your eyes.”

She giggled. “Is that your line for all the girls?”

It really wasn’t. Her eyes were the color of the sea with the sun shining on it, and I could look into them all day. “Well, you know, I change the color depending on the girl.”

As I’d expected, she laughed even harder. I loved that she took my jokes in stride. We started walking along again, my arm around her waist. “My favorite color really is green, by the way. And yours?”

“Red. What’s your favorite food?”

“Steak. Although I love a good burger.”

“Me too. One with horseradish cheddar, bacon, mushrooms, and avocado on a pretzel bun.”