Page 39 of Once Bitten

“Challenge accepted,” Finn grinned as he filled up his own plate.

“This place is just out of this world. I’ve never eaten anything like it. I thought it would’ve been a little like Moroccan but it’s different in its own freakin’ delicious way. How did you find it?”

Finn took a sip of the wine Mati had brought before answering, “well, to be honest, I spent a lot of time roaming the streets here, I ate a lot of chewy, leathery steaks and frozen crepes before I came across my favorites. But this one I come to whenever I’m missing home.”

“Are you away from home a lot now?” I asked, covering my mouth in case I accidentally spat a mouthful of rice at him.

He shrugged. “Now and then, I guess. What about you? Do you have to travel a lot for your job?”

I nodded, “yeah, at least once a month, for a few days. I complain about it sometimes, but I secretly love it. But this trip, this has been the best one yet.” For reasons I didn’t’ expect, I thought to myself.

“And...I know you ignored this question last time I asked but, you’re not seeing anyone at the moment, you live alone?” It sounded more like a statement than a question.

“Well, not really.” I answered cryptically. He cocked his eyebrow, interested. “I don’t exactly live alone, no.” I stopped talking and scooped up a plateful of cous cous and meatballs and busied myself with eating.

“Um, do tell.” He prompted.

“Well, um, his name is Tommy and we’ve lived together ever since I moved to my current apartment.”

“Oh. Um. Wow, I did NOT expect that answer,” Finn sat back in his chair.

“Yeah. He’s ok with my traveling though, I guess he’s used to it. He’s pretty independent.” I continued, trying my hardest to keep a straight face.

“Sure. Um, that’s great. So, what does he do?”

“Well, he doesn’t really tell me what he does when I’m not home, that’s kinda our arrangement. But he tries to be home as much as possible when I am, so we can spend time together.”

Finn shook his head, obviously trying to make sense of the new information. “Um, ok. So, does he...I mean, he’d be okay with...well, with what’s happened over the last few days?”

I shrugged. “Sure. I guess. I’ll have to ask him when I get home, but as long as you don’t interfere with me changing his litter box, I guess he’d be okay.”

“Wait. What?”

“Yeah, it’s important not to leave it too long, ‘cos you know, odors and hygiene and stuff.”

“Hang on. Tommy’s a cat?”

“Oh, did I not make that clear? Sorry. Yeah, he’s a stray cat I adopted. ” I finally let out the guffaw I had been stifling.

Finn glared at me as I bent doubled over in laughter.

“Oh my god, you should see your face. No, Finn! I am not having an open relationship with my cat! We don’t have that kind of commitment.” I half screamed in laughter, pointing to his still confused face.

“You naughty loud children!” Mati came running over, with a pitcher of water. “Why are you making such a disturbance?”

I told her the story and she whooped with laughter, as Finn sat back looking unimpressed.

“Oh, my boy, so finally someone got one over you, huh?” She winked at me. “It’s good to be kept on your toes, more interesting that way, no?” She patted him on the shoulder and he snarled playfully at her as she walk away, still chuckling.

I happily munched at another spoonful of meatballs as I watched the emotions play out across Finn’s face.

“Evil wench. So you moved into your current apartment 4 years ago, was that around about the time you started working for Larry?”

“So many questions!”

“Yeah, trying to keep your mouth busy so you don’t eat all the food.”

“There are other ways to keep my mouth busy,” I retorted back, feeling happy and content from the good food and more comfortable in Finn’s company.