I think I owe you a proper meal.I’ll pick you up Friday at 8.
There.Sami was always demanding things too, after all.Oh, but the case—gearing up for the hearing ought to increase Sami’s workload too, not just Baz’s.Eh…
When the case is over, we’re going on a date.Boom.
Though Sami could say no.Could make fun of Baz for even assuming this was something he wanted and end it on the spot.
With a groan, Baz locked his phone.His forehead collapsed against the metal pole—a move he regretted the instant the stink of metal and germs hit his nose.He jerked his head back.
Why was this so hard?How was he supposed to know what to do, what Sami was thinking?His brain wasn’t made to decipher relationships—but Eevee’s was.
Half the tables in the Catfé were taken up.The quiet chatter ceased as two cats, the orange tabby and the other tuxedo, chased each other under chairs and tables in their playfight.
Thud.“Mrew.”
Baz spun around.Lucipurr was on the wall-mounted bed next to him, reaching her little head out to sniff his hair.Apparently, she was having a good day too.
He reached his hand out—Lucipurr hissed when it got close to her.Never mind.
“She’s obsessed with you,” Eevee said from behind the counter, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.The green apron covered her jeans and white T-shirt.
“She’s a weirdo.”
“That might be why.”Eevee offered her arms out for a hug Baz accepted.
Lucipurr ran across the climbing elements on the wall, following them to their usual table in the back.As always, she jumped onto the bench next to Baz and tucked her paws underneath her.Baz rolled his eyes.
“How are you feeling after seeing Dad?Any regrets?”
God, Baz hadn’t even thought about that in the midst of all his Sami fantasies.
“I’m fine.It’s like you said, our lives are too good for him to ruin.If he sticks around, okay.If he doesn’t, we’ll still be all right.”
“Aw.”She clasped his hands on the table.“I’m so proud of you for doing that.And it was so cute seeing you and Sami together!Joel and I gushed about you two all night.We’re really happy for you.”
“Oh, please.”Baz smiled.He and Sami did look good together, didn’t they?Sami had the perfect hugging height.His shabby disregard for quality contrasted with Baz’s meticulousness.His smile could blind the room when Baz didn’t want to be seen…
“Mew!”Lucipurr screamed as though her namesake had possessed her.She crawled onto Baz’s lap.Her claws dug into his skin when she made biscuits on his thighs.What the…
He pulled his hands free from Eevee to lean back—and the cat hissed at him as if to sayhow dare you move, peasantbefore she flopped onto his lap with a grunt.
“Is she dying, or am I?”Cats were supposed to be able to smell when someone was sick, right?He swore he’d read that somewhere.
“She can tell you’re all loved up!Tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell.”Yet.
“I find you having breakfast with a handsome man who supports you through seeing Dad again, and you wanna tell me it’s no big deal?”
Sami really was handsome.And funny.And smart…
“You’re so into him!”Eevee squeaked.Heat rushed to Baz’s face.
“No!I don’t know.What does that even mean?”
“What does what mean?”
“How did you know that what you and Joel have is real?”
