Page 56

Glenda pursed her lips. “He’s kind of old. Can you open this one’s cage?” Of course, she was pointing to Rosebud’s cage. The kitten. She poked her finger into her cage again.

“What about all the late nights you work?” I asked again as I put Star back in his cage.

“Oh, I don’t need to work those,” she said as she continued to push her fingers into Rosebud’s cage.

She was lying. I was sure of it.

“Glenda, if Rosebud is left alone a lot, she’ll act out.”

Glenda swung around, and her eyes met mine. “Joy, I would never want to do anything to harm a kitten. Trust me, I know how she feels, all helpless. I just meant that I would start telecommuting in the evenings.”

Helpless?

I tilted my head.

She gave a small, embarrassed laugh. “I know I’m being dramatic. It’s just that I get it. What’s more, I would never lie to you. You were there that night when Rob broke my heart. He and I both watched you. I actually thought we were having a good time. Getting back to where we used to be, you know?”

I nodded. What else could I do?

“Then everything crashed and burned.” She shook her head. I could see that her eyes were glassy, and I wanted to hug her. “Joy, meeting you now, knowing you were part of those last good moments with Rob, having your friends say we could go out for a girls’ night. This is like some kind of serendipity. I would never want to disappoint you by not taking care of Rosebud. I know what it’s like to be taken advantage of, I would never do to this kitten what Rob did to me.” She looked at me and blushed, then looked down at the floor.

My heart melted a little. Poor woman. She just needed a friend. Thank God she got away from Rob.

“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, Glenda. Let’s get you set up with Rosebud and get you the things you’ll need to take her home with you.”

She reached out and gave me a big hug. “Thank you, Joy. You don’t know what this means to me.”

“And then she hugged me,” I told Graham.

“Of course she did. Who wouldn’t want to get their hands on you?”

I slapped his chest. “You are such a man.”

“Guilty as charged.” I watched as he tipped back his beer. I loved being on his back deck, it was quiet and private, and it had the most comfortable furniture in his place.

He tugged on my ponytail. “What are you thinking about?”

“That maybe it’s time you went furniture shopping,” I grinned up at him.

“I knew this would happen. First, I let you into my pants. Now you want to redecorate my house.” He looked skyward. “Please, Lord, help me.”

I giggled. “I’m not the only woman who thinks that you need to have more than a TV and a recliner in your living room.”

He scowled at me. “I haven’t heard any complaints.”

That stopped me short. “I’m not talking about any of your other women,” I said softly.

“Hey, wait a minute.” He pulled me out of my corner of the couch and onto his lap. “You misunderstood me. I haven’t brought any other woman over here. Well, not on a date. You’re it.”

“You’re kidding.”

He cuddled me even closer, tipping my chin higher so that his gaze bored into mine. “I’m not joking. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to invite into my home. I’ve had friends over. Some of my work friends and their women—but not a date. What’s more, you’re much more than a date.”

I melted against him.

“You’re much more than a date to me, too. I consider you my man.”

He smiled slowly. “I like the sound of that.” He bent and kissed me softly. I sighed against his mouth. His soft kisses were one of my favorite flavors.