Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Are you done now, Dr. Phil?”
“Who’s Dr. Phil?”
Christ, I was old.
“Good night, Mano.”
“Night, Kai. I hope she texts you.”
I didn’t reply, but I glanced one more time toward my phone.
I hoped she did, too.
Three Years Ago
“It’s just hair,” I tried to console my sobbing wife as she stared in front of the mirror. Her hair had been falling out in chunks more and more weekly from the chemotherapy, and I could tell it was doing a number on her mental state. “It will grow back,” I promised her.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do this, Kai. I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”
I stepped between her and the mirror and shook my head. “We’re not giving up.”
“Kai…”
I cupped her face with the palms of my hands. “We are not giving up,” I repeated, this time sterner. “Do you understand me?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
I rested my forehead against hers. “I’m sorry I said that before. It was stupid and not helpful.”
“Said what?”
“That it’s just hair.” I knew that was idiotic the second it came from my mouth because it wasn’t just hair. It was proof of an illness. It was losing yet another part of the world Penelope once knew. It was falling into a reality where days were long and nights were hard. It wasn’t just hair. It was a piece of her soul that was aching, and I was stupid to let those three words leave my tongue.
She placed her hand against my cheek, and tears rolled down her face. “You’re too good to me, Kai.”
“I want to be better than good. I want to be your safe place.”
Her lips fell to my cheek, and then she turned back to look into the mirror. With a deep inhalation and a sharp breath, she said, “Shave it.”
“What?”
“I want you to shave it. I want it all gone. I can’t keep watching pieces of it fall out. I can’t keep waking up to my pillow and seeing it covered in strands. I need you to cut it all off.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. She moved to the toilet and closed the lid before sitting on top. I grabbed my clippers from the cabinet and set them on the sink countertop. I plugged in the clippers and took a deep breath before shaving Penelope’s head. Her eyes were closed the whole time, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
When I finished, she opened her eyes. Those eyes had me wrapped tightly within her love. Then I shaved my head, too.
HOLLY
Present Day
“I’m putting you in a taxi,” Matthew commanded, “and I’m sliding this money into your pocket to pay for said taxi.” His hand slid into my coat pocket, leaving a small smile on my face. I would’ve argued with him about paying for my ride home, but Kai told me never to turn down an invite for a man to take care of me.
“That’s very sweet. Thank you for tonight. It was…”
“Great,” he finished my sentence before hailing a taxi at the curb. The car pulled up, Matthew opened the door for me, and he gave me his wide-toothed grin. “Tonight was great. I cannot wait to do it again.”
I smiled and climbed into the car. “It was perfect.”
“Next time will be even better.”
Next time.
I hoped that was a promise he’d keep. I’d been through so many broken promises of second dates with men that I was almost in denial that he’d reach out to me after the car left the curbside. After so many never-agains, my heart could’ve used a next time.
Still, he left me hopeful. It felt good to hope after so many months of hopelessness.
I felt as if I were floating. As if there was no ground below me as I returned home after having the most wonderful first date of my life. Matthew was sweet. He was charming and funny, and everything the heroines in my books would’ve wanted their heroes to be.
When I made it home, he’d text me to reassure me that he’d had a wonderful time and would love to schedule a second date with me. That was the easiest yes I’d ever experienced.
After I arrived home, I hopped into the shower, washed up, and then did my skincare routine before plopping down on my couch, still thinking about Matthew.
I really liked him, too.
Not really, really liked him, because it was only one date. But man…it was a great date.
I knew it was too soon to lock anything in, and I knew Kai would’ve called me an idiot for my hopeful heart, but Matthew seemed to be exactly the kind of person I’d always dreamed of finding.
Speaking of Kai…
Holly
I am home safe and sound.
A few minutes later, a message popped up on my phone.
Kai
It took you long enough to message. I was going to send out a search party.