I straighten.Sounds like the perfect excuse to see my neighbor and clear the air.After the rough night of sleep I had, I want to make sure we’re all good after what happened yesterday.Plus, she seems to know everything and everyone in this town.Does that include four-legged friends?
I scoop up the meowing bundle and hold her against my chest, heading next door.
My taps on Chloe’s front door go unanswered.
“Come on, Kat,” I say to the kitten, deciding on a temporary name.“Let’s see if we can find my pretty neighbor.”
With the kitten wedged under my arm, I grab the key to Chloe’s car and lock up the house.
Her driver’s side lock is jammed, so I circle around to the other side, shaking my head.I carefully set Kat down on the back seat and risk breaking every bone in my back as I squeeze into the toy car and climb over the center console into the driver’s seat.If I had the room in this coconut-scented capsule to pull out my phone, I’d set a reminder to book in a physiotherapy session after this.Or possibly spine surgery.
My God, why is her seat so close to the steering wheel?She’s notthatshort.
I find the lever and slide the seat back as far as it’ll go, but I’d still need to hack off a good ten inches of my legs to ever sit comfortably in this thing.
It takes me a block or two to figure out the rhythm of the car.Kat sits stock-still, her wide eyes darting in every direction, and then bats at the seatbelt like it’s some terrifying monster.I probably should’ve given her a box to sit in, or at least a blanket.
“It’s all right,” I say gently.“We’ll get you something to eat after this.What do you like?Tuna?Chicken?Salmon?”
I glance at her.Nothing.
“Where do you think our neighbor is?Is she at work?”
I pull over outside Mugs.The car door opens easily from the inside, thank God, so I gently pick up Kat and climb out, leaving the door slightly ajar so I don’t have to break my spine a second time.
The place is jam-packed, but there’s no sign of Chloe.I squeeze past the front of the line to ask where she is, but the teen with neon-pink braces says she’s not in right now.Damn.
Do I just go home?I’ve got a kitten in my arms that I’ve got no idea what to do with.
A flicker of unease returns to my stomach.I’m kidding myself if I think I’m only here for Kat.I don’t think I’ll be able to fully relax until I see Chloe’s smile and know she’s not upset about yesterday.
Fuck, I can be an asshole sometimes.I can’t believe I told her I only kissed her because I was drunk, without even trying to explain myself.
Outside, two of the old fellas who are always here are chatting by the fence.I pace over, Kat wriggling in my hold.The men go still as I approach.“I’m looking for Chloe.Do you happen to know where she is?”
Two sets of milky eyes narrow at me.“Who’s askin?”the one in the veteran hat snaps.
“My name’s Ethan.”I hold out a hand.He frowns at it, then offers me a slow handshake.I swear, his fingers nearly snap off in my palm.“I’m a friend of Chloe’s,” I explain.
“I seen you here before,” says the one with the cane, wobbling as he lifts it to point it right at me.“You’re the one mouthin’ off that time when our girl was runnin’ late.”
Jeez, that was weeks ago, before I realized this island runs at its own pace.“That’s me,” I say, my smile tightening.“So do either of you know where she might be?”
“She’s at the grocery store,” Hat Head says with a nod.“Ran outta some fancy milk.Mentioned it on her way past.”
“Thank you,” I say, while Old Man Cane goes off on him about giving up Chloe’s location.Is this what keeps small town folk entertained?
The grocery store’s only a few blocks away.I park out front, between two convertibles.Kat has decided she’s done with silence and wants to sing instead, meowing over and over.
“Come on, then,” I say, scooping her up.“But you’re gonna have to hide; I don’t think animals are allowed inside.”Luckily, it’s cooler today than usual.My tan canvas jacket is the perfect hiding spot.
Inside, I head straight for the refrigerated aisle.No Chloe.I check each aisle until I spot her by the long-life milks, stuffing two more cartons into her overloaded basket.My chest tightens along with my throat as her face flies up to meet mine.
Something warm flashes in her eyes, but then dims.
“Hey,” she says as I approach.“How’s it going?”
“Good.I’ve been busy.”I hiss through my teeth when Kat’s claws pierce my chest through my T-shirt.“With a pussy,” I add, biting back a laugh.
