Page 115 of The Wrong Groom

Throughout dinner, Peyton chatters excitedly about the kitten, already planning her next visit to check on Pepper before she goes to bed. “Do you think she’ll be able to sleep tonight? Or will she be too excited?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Gabriel says dryly. I can tell he’s not talking about the cat.

“What if she eats all her food and then gets hungry?”

“Then she’ll have to wait until breakfast,” I say. “Just like you do!”

Peyton sticks out her lower lip in a pout. “Can I give her a treat tonight?”

“Maybe just one,” I say. “You don’t want to make her sick.”

“Come on, Bug.” Gabriel pushes Peyton’s plate toward her. He’s cut up her steak into bite-sized pieces. “Finish your dinner. The sooner you’re done, the sooner you can check on your kitten.”

Eventually, between me and Gabriel, we manage to get Peyton to finish eating. Once her plate is empty, she bounces up from her chair.

“Can I go now? Please?”

“Alright,” Gabriel says. “But no extra treats. Just check on her, then leave her alone again, okay? She needs time to herself.”

Peyton grabs my hand, pulling me after her as she makes a beeline for the basement.

In the bathroom, the little kitten is curled up on the blanket Peyton set out earlier. She looks up at us as we enter, letting out a tiny mewl.

“I told you she’d like it,” Peyton whispers happily.

“Looks like you were right.”

The little kitten shifts on the blanket, stretching out her paws and yawning. Peyton approaches her and begins to scratch her behind the ears. Pepper purrs contentedly at the touch, her eyes half-closing in bliss as she nuzzles into Peyton’s hand.

“She’s settling in pretty well,” I comment. “Seems like she’s making herself at home.”

“Good,” Peyton declares. “Because she is home.”

“Why don’t you tell her goodnight and we can head back upstairs?”

“Okay.” Peyton touches her nose to Pepper’s fluffy head, then gives her a kiss. “Goodnight, Pepper. You’re the best kitty ever, and I’m going to take really good care of you. I promise.”

Oh my god. I feel like my heart might explode.

“Do you think she’ll sleep in my room one day?” Peyton asks.

“Probably,” I say. “For now, let’s give her some space to settle in.”

“Yeah. I’ll turn off the light.” Peyton stands on her toes to reach the switch, then hesitates. “Wait! What if Pepper gets scared of the dark?”

“She’ll be okay,” I assure her. “Cats have night vision.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means she can see in the dark. So having the lights off won’t bother her at all. In fact, she’ll probably be happier.”

Peyton looks thoughtful for a moment, then nods, reassured. “Okay.” She flips the switch, and the room goes dark. With a final, quiet “goodnight,” she tiptoes toward the door, and I follow her out, closing the door behind us.

Back upstairs, Gabriel is waiting for us in the living room. “How was Pepper?” he asks.

“She’s great!” Peyton says, enthused. “She meowed at us when we came in! And she was sleeping on the blanket we got her!”

“That’s amazing, Bug,” he says, giving her curls an affectionate ruffle. “It’s pretty late, though, and it’s been a long day. What do you say we get ready for bed, huh?”