Page 63 of Unraveled

Throwing myself back into my job this week helped with the patience factor. I’d been neglecting some things in favor of spending more time with her. Taking care of them now helped me avoid overstepping. I think she was testing me, albeit unconsciously. She was telling me I could date other people and seemed to be okay with me not making her the priority because she didn’t trust I would stick. She’d had an exclusive relationship with her ex, and he’d strayed. Why would she believe this new start had a chance? But what she didn’t understand, and I wasn’t about to tell her yet, was just how committed I was. She was scared. I’d show her all the reasons she didn’t need to be. But that took time.

I went over to her apartment on Saturday evening. It had been three days since I’d seen her and another week before we’d go down to Portland for the wedding. Part of me wondered if it was a good idea for her to come. Although I wanted her there, I didn’t want her worried about meeting my family. I certainly didn’t need her to freak out, thinking such a step was too serious.

As if she’d read my mind, the minute we sat down to watch a movie, she asked, “I’m assuming I’m meeting your family next weekend?”

“Yeah. Pretty much everyone.”

Her fingers traced a circle on my chest while we sat on the couch. “Do they know about me?”

“They know I met you a few weeks ago. That you’re Russell’s sister and live in Seattle. My mom is aware of your cancer, but that’s only because she was a nurse, and I sometimes ask her advice about what will agree with your stomach. My guess is she’s told my dad. I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable.”

I expected her to tell me she didn’t want to come. That would probably be for the best since this wedding would be the first occasion since the cheating deal in which I’d see my cousin Brandon. I wouldn’t dare make a thing of it during a family wedding, but I knew I’d be tense. Hopefully, he’d keep his distance because I didn’t want to talk to him, even all these years later.

“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. In a way, I’m glad the elephant is out of the room. But the thought of meeting the parents— That’s something I haven’t done in many years. We’re talking prom night here.”

“For me too.”

“They didn’t meet what’s-her-face from college?”

“Nope. You remember what college was like. Over holidays, you each go home, and there really isn’t the opportunity to meet each other’s families. In hindsight, it wasn’t a bad decision to avoid introducing her.”

“No, I don’t suppose it was. Where will we stay?”

“In a hotel, if that’s okay. My parents offered the house but, uh—”

“You’d prefer to make me come without your parents listening? Don’t think I’ve forgotten the promise of many orgasms during my feel-good window.”

Laughter rumbled in my chest as my hand took hers. This was the feisty Layla. I never knew what she’d say next. “A promise I look forward to delivering on.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Layla

On Friday morning I stood at the mirror, looking at the marvels a padded bra could do for my navy wrap dress. Kellan was supposed to come shortly to pick me up.

“You’re beautiful,” Patty complimented, sincerity shining in her eyes.

With her help in blowing out my hair gently and then picking out something to wear, I was finally experiencing my first shred of confidence about meeting Kellan’s family. Thank God, my locks had cooperated and hadn’t started to fall out.

“Thank you. Though I don’t know what I’ll do without you there to do my makeup tomorrow.” She’d done a dynamite job today, giving my face more color than the pale reflection I’d come to know over the last few weeks.

“I showed you what to do. It’s all about the bronzer on the cheek bones. Although after your man sees you in that dress, he won’t notice a thing about your face.”

I giggled, loving the fact I got to surprise him with the form-fitting—yet very classy—dress tomorrow evening. It would be my first occasion back in heels since my surgery.

“What do you think of this to wear today?” I’d picked out dark-wash jeans and a loose-fitting blouse in red. I would cap off the look with matching red lipstick and black booties with a slight heel.

She turned to survey the clothing laid out on my bed. “I think you’ll look smoking hot.”

For the very first time, I wasn’t tempted to say, “You should’ve seen me before the cancer.” This was the new reality. And now that I was over the first self-doubt hurdle of losing my breasts, I was hoping to rock this new me.

“Thank you again. For everything.”

She gave me a knowing look and took my hand. “You’re welcome. Anytime, and I mean it. I’ll see you Monday, honey. Have an amazing weekend. You deserve it.”

She was right. I did deserve it. My energy was back. My self-confidence was blooming. My emotions were in check. And I couldn’t wait to spend a weekend where I didn’t have to be the girl who had cancer. I could simply enjoy spending time with Kellan. I tried not to think of the fact he saw his ex on a daily basis. Nor did I dwell on the way he’d pulled back like he’d promised so that we were only seeing each other on weekends. We were dating. It’s what I’d said I wanted.

Two hours after she left, there was a knock on my door. Opening it, I watched Kellan register shock that morphed into a sexy smile at finding me all dressed up. “You look incredible.”