"It's okay, for I will never dislike you that much, Everly Anne."

"Do you like me enough to help me shave my legs, so I can put on a short, pretty dress for you later?"

I joshed, "Exactly how short is the dress?"

She flicked water in my face.

"Leave your shirt on when you get in," she said. "It's more fun that way." I stripped down to my T-shirt and underwear. Everly glared. "I'm completely naked. It's not fair, Callum."

"It was out of respect for you?"

More glaring. With a heavy sigh I shoved my underwear down. Everly looked curiously at me as I climbed in the tub, and sat behind her.

"Will you put conditioner in my hair, first?" she asked.

"Sure, hand me the bottle, Topolina." I leaned down and kissed her bare, wet, shoulder. "You smell like sunshine." I kissed her again. "I'm sorry about Tatum."

"It was all right. She's very nice."

"Yes. Did you eat?"

"I had some frozen yogurt."

"That's hardly food."

"Now you sound like my father," she said.

"Hitting below the belt isn't allowed when I don't have underwear on, Everly Anne."

She laughed quietly.

We were silent for a moment as I smoothed conditioner through her hair.

Softly she said, "I missed you," and leaned back so I could see her eyes. I kissed her temple and told her, "I missed you too, Farfalla."

"What did you do with Nicholas?"

"He made me run ten miles, and then eat burgers and fries."

She laughed. "All while his wife was ripping her body parts off. Men have it so easy, Callum Andrew."

"You girls do it to yourselves. Think we give a shit if your legs are shaved or waxed? Think we can even tell the difference? Most of us would not give a fuck if you shaved at all. There is a beast that cannot be tamed in real men, Everly Anne."

She laughed harder. "Is that so?"

"No. Let me rinse your hair so I can shave your legs butter-smooth, next. No stubbly girls in my bed. No ma'am."

She jabbed my ribs with her elbow.

"Seriously though, lean forward so I can rinse your hair, Peach."

She curled under the faucet again, just like when I first found her. Everly laughed deep and long.

"What?" I asked.

"I can only see your unmentionables, Callum."

I sighed and pulled her back up. "And here I was, earlier, singing your praises about what a good girl you are." I reached forward and adjusted the water temperature to run warmer.

"It was in the middle," she said. "Isn't it warm enough?"

"Normally it would be, but apparently Everly Birds take long baths, and quickly use up the hot water."

"I haven't even shaved my legs," she grumbled.

"Then you better hurry up."