Page 82 of My Favorite Boss

“Okay.”

“I’m taking him now.”

I felt the tears building, which was crazy. But I nodded. “I can’t—” I whispered.

“I know. Darryl is coming. I’ll be back.” He paused. “Will you be here?”

“Yes. I understand, Alex. I’m just being—” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

He bent and kissed my forehead. “You’re being Magnolia. Tender and sweet. I understand too, but I have to do this.”

I was silent as he left, letting the tears fall. While he was making calls, I had tried to find someone to take the kitten but got nowhere. I hoped someone would adopt him. He was a crazy-looking little thing with big paws, the orange fur that stood up all over his head, and his big green eyes.

Surely someone would see that and how adorable he was and would adopt him.

Right?

To stay busy, I made muffins. I had brought the ingredients with me, and I needed to keep my mind off what was happening.

I heard the door open as I was taking the muffins from the oven and heard the footsteps behind me.

“Those smell good.”

I drew in a deep breath and forced a smile to my face as I turned. I was shocked to see the kitten on Alex’s shoulder. He met my confused look with a small smile.

“I tried, Magnolia,” he said with a shrug. “I got to the shelter, and I was talking to the woman at the counter. I explained the situation, and she was very nice. I started to fill out the forms, and I turned my head to look at him—” he paused, swallowed, then continued “—and he licked my cheek, as if he was saying it was okay. But I felt him trembling like the way he did when he found us last night. And the shelter was full of cats and kittens. He was going to be there a long time. I knew it. So I couldn’t leave him.”

I clasped my hands, letting the tears fall. Alex didn’t understand what this meant. It wasn’t only about keeping the kitten. It was the fact that he was bonding with him. Allowing himself to feel.

“But you have to help. He’s not just mine. He’s ours.”

My heart thrilled at his words. “I will.”

“I leave Monday. You have to stay here.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t let Hedge scratch my furniture.”

“What?”

“Don’t let⁠—”

“You named him Hedge?”

“Hedgehog Hedgefund, actually. I have a feeling he is gonna cost me. But he is too little for that, so we settled on Hedge.”

“Alex, he’s a cat.”

“You pointed out he looks like a hedgehog. It suits him, and he likes it. Right, Hedge?” he asked, turning his face and speaking to the kitten.

The kitten, or Hedge, opened his eyes and licked Alex’s cheek, as if in agreement. I tried not to squeal at the cuteness level. I had a feeling Alex wouldn’t like it.

“I need a coffee. And a muffin.”

“I’ll bring both to the table.”

“Okay. I’ll put Hedge in his room, and we’re going over the rules. I’ve already had that conversation with him, but I’ll reiterate it again later.”