Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
As much as she feels at home straight away, and as much as I can tell she doesn’t really have to go back to her little loft apartment, there’s something on her mind.
“What’s the matter?” I finally ask her, moving toward the bathroom only to check on the water in the giant tub.
“I just feel bad is all,” she confesses, looking at her feet.
“About?” I quiz her, concerned.
“About your friend, Brett and his fiancé. If it wasn’t for me you would’ve had your suit ready and been at their wedding rehearsal,” she tells me, emphasizing how she thinks it’s her fault. As if any of my forgetfulness is her fault.
Holding her face in both my hands, I kiss her forehead, and smiling I tell her it’s not her fault. Brett and I have had our share of differences over the years and I promise her I’ll call him back and make amends.
“Now, strip,” I order her, watching her face register a little shock before she notices me undressing in the hallway.
“That bathtub isn’t gonna enjoy itself,” I explain, eager to see her naked again. But keener to spoil her some.
She slides out of her clothes quickly and making sure to test the water so it’s not too cold or too hot, she lets me know it’s just right.
“Aren’t you getting in,” she asks, almost sliding underwater once she settles into the massive tub.
“After I wash your hair,” I tell her.
Feeling goofy hearing myself say it out loud, but I’m sure I read somewhere that women like having their hair played with.
Or was it something else they like playing with?
Either way, she gasps a breath of anticipation, as well as glancing at my growing arousal as I debate whether to put a towel around myself or not.
Not.
I quickly discover just how much Ashlee likes me running my hands through her hair, massaging her scalp and even her neck and shoulders before she instructs me on just how much shampoo to use.
I barely notice when I wash my own hair and until today had no interest in other people washing their hair, let alone me doing it for them.
But anything to do with Ashlee, anything that makes her happy, relaxed, or just feeling better that I can do?
It’s my new favorite thing.
Once her hair is washed, I comb it out with the biggest comb I can find, and feeling like I've earned a new superpower, I ready myself to join her in the tub.
Just as I hear my phone ring again.
“You should get that,” Ashlee murmurs knowingly, her eyes closed as she sinks back further into the still hot and very soapy water.
I know it’s Brett. Especially when it rings out and he dials again straight away.
Without covering myself, I grab the phone from my pants in the hall, only just missing him again before I climb into the tub.
I sit opposite Ashlee, feeling her legs hook over the top of mine once I get in. The water rises to the point of almost overflowing, covering her right up to her chin, while I sit with the water almost at chest height before thumbing my phone.
Brett picks up straight away.
“Hey,” he answers.
“Hey,” I reply, noting Ashlee’s look. Almost smiling to herself as two lifelong friends try to sort out something trivial over the phone.
It’s a guy thing.
“I meant what I said,” Brett begins. And I nod silently. Knowing he did. Every word.
“I know you do, buddy. And I’m sorry. I forgot about you on a day when it mattered,” I tell him. Surprising both Brett and Ashlee, who give a little ‘Oooh’ look as she quietly approves of the way I’m handling this.
“Thing is,” I continue. “I only just met someone really special myself. I’ve been learning a lot about how special people come into our lives. About how we’d do anything for them…”
Bret is quiet for a minute. Probably wondering if I’ve bumped my head on something.
“You okay, B?” he finally asks. Making me smile.
“Never better. Listen, I mean it. Ashlee is her name and well… Well. I’m not going anywhere without her anytime soon. So I was wondering…?” I start to say, and I feel Ashlee’s legs tense up over mine under the water.
She’s shaking her head and mouthing the word ‘No’, without even knowing what I’m gonna suggest.
“Shoot,” Brett says, sounding relieved I haven’t even bothered to touch on the whole him quitting thing.
I know how much he needs his job. And I’m pretty sure Chloe has explained that to him as well since we last spoke.
“Well. I’d like Ashlee to meet everyone,” I tell him. Tell them both, nodding an affirmative to Ashlee, who winces.
“Sure,” Brett agrees. “I’m glad you’ve found someone,” he says genuinely.
“…And I’d like her to be in the wedding party. A bridesmaid or something,” I add. Hearing the splash before I feel a mouthful of soapy water.