Bastian typed quickly.‘I don’t think I need that much stuff.’
Nate’s response came back fast.‘You want to be seen as a responsible cat owner, don’t you?’
Damn it he did.‘A tree condo?’That thing was huge.
‘It’s awesome!’Nate’s text claimed.
‘What am I supposed to do with all this stuff after tonight?’Bas had planned on buying a few toys. Maybe some dishes.
‘Use it! You’re a cat.’
The little troublemaker couldn’t be serious.‘Nate! I think that’s more than enough stuff.’He had to stand firm.
‘From this store,’Nate sent back.‘One more stop then we’ll head back so we can get everything set up. Oh! And Drake said not to worry about dinner. He said he would take care of everything.’
Bas wanted to argue but Nate was doing him a favor. Plus, Drake providing dinner would surely impress Hudson for their date. And it was absolutely a date. He needed to make sure that Hudson was aware of that. Bastian didn’t want his boy to have any doubts.
He’d stayed on Hudson’s lap for over an hour the prior night. Hudson had sipped on his beer, but he didn’t seem interested in it. If Bastian had been there in his human form, he would have made Hudson a soothing decaffeinated tea while coaxing him to relax.
His sweet human had so many worries. Bastian hated that when he shifted, he couldn’t reassure Hudson. Bas had done his best with bumps, licks, and sounds. It seemed to help.
It had grown awkward when Carter had questioned Hudson about his feelings. While Bastian appreciated the inside knowledge, it had also felt sort of creepy. Hudson shared everything with his brother including very intimate topics.
Bastian was about to respond to Nate and beg for mercy until he heard his mate’s voice.
Glancing over to the building next to his, he watched as Hudson exited with another man. Quickly Bastian stuffed his phone in his back pocket.
Hudson had his head turned, speaking with an attractive man in a suit as they turned toward him.
Mid-sentence Hudson stopped talking when he spotted Bastian.
Smile. Don’t growl. No pummeling the attractive man that was too close to his mate.
The stranger looked from Hudson to Bas. There was question in his eyes, but he remained smiling. Bas didn’t trust that smile. It seemed…fake somehow.
“Uh, hello,” The stranger greeted.
Bas cut his gaze from the stranger and made sure he was smiling. “Hudson! It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Bastian.” Hudson’s smile was bright.
He found himself moving closer. Just needing to be as close to his mate as possible. The stranger shifted his weight, brushing his shoulder against Hudson’s.
For one brief moment, Bastian nearly lost control and pounced on the stranger.
Hudson grabbed his hand as he spoke. “What are you doing here? Do you know the mayor, Easton Goldsmith?”
Bastian calmed as soon as Hudson touched him. Once his mind cleared, he recognized Hudson’s words. “The mayor?”
The stranger nodded. “Easton Goldsmith.” He held out a hand.
It irritated Bas that he had to release Hudson’s hand to shake the other man’s. “Bastian.” He didn’t offer his last name.
“Nice to meet you,” Easton said.
“You too.” Bastian didn’t even mean it. He turned back to his mate. The only man that Bas wanted to talk to. “I’m waiting for Leo to bring the keys to our new office.” He motioned back toward their office door.
“Leo Cunnings?” Easton asked.
