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Chapter 5
Kat
Saturday morning findsme in full-blown cleanup mode, fueled by caffeine and sheer determination. I’ve got my go-to playlist of cheesy 80s hits blaring through the small house while I tackle the clutter that’s accumulated. It’s amazing how messy a place can get when you’re too busy daydreaming about handsome bartenders and speakeasy escapades to put things back where they belong.
Walter, my trusty feline companion, is curled up on the couch, eyes half-open, monitoring my every move like a foreman disapproving of my cleaning techniques. He doesn’t offer to help, of course. Instead, he stretches languidly, as if to remind me that cleaning is beneath him and I'm on my own.
“Fine, be that way,” I grumble at him, dusting a shelf with more vigor than necessary. “You could at least try to act like you’re cheering me on.”
Walter closes his eyes, clearly unconvinced by my attempt to guilt-trip him. Not that I blame him. I’m pretty sure I’d be lounging around, too, if my sole responsibilities were looking adorable and occasionally batting at the odd dust bunny.
Amidst the cleaning frenzy, my phone rings from somewhere under a pile of discarded outfits. I sift through the fabric chaos, flinging a sequined top over my shoulder and sniffing out the source of the annoying ringtone. I finally grab my phone, see Cassidy’s name flashing on the screen, and hit the answer button.
“Cass,” I start, breathless from battling with last night’s impulse to try on every piece of clothing I own, “What do you want this time?” My mother hen bestie has already called three times to check on my progress.
“Don’t be so difficult. I was just calling to see if you haven’t gotten cold feet about tonight,” Cassidy chirps, her voice as upbeat and teasing as always.
“Of course not,” I say, plopping down onto the couch next to Walter, who scootches slightly to the left, putting some space between us. “I’m just making sure this place doesn’t look like a tornado hit it when Tony comes by.”
“I’m glad you aren’t pulling your usual I don’t have time to date anyone bull hockey,” she replies, her tone laced with knowing amusement.
I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see me. “I don’t have time to date,” I insist, “but there’s no way I can resist Tony.”
“Aww, my little Kat is growing up.” I roll my eyes at her motherly tone. “Do you have a game plan for the date?”
“Game plan?” I raise an eyebrow, leaning back into the cushions. “This isn’t a football game, Cass.”
“You never know, you could try tackling Mr. Tall, Dark, and Devilish and see what happens.”
“Not going to happen.” I cross my fingers behind my back as I fib, knowing jumping his bones is high on my to-do list.
“You can lead a horse to water,” Cass grumbles teasingly. “I guess as your self-appointed dating coach, I’ll have to work with what I’ve got,” she continues, undeterred. “I wanted to remind you to take care of some essentials. You know, like buffing, brushing, and shaving all the necessary parts?”
I laugh, adjusting my position, which earns me a mildly irritated glance from Walter. “Yes, Coach Cass, I remember. Anything else on this checklist of yours?”
“Just remember to have fun, be yourself, and stay cool. I’ll be lurking in spirit, taking notes for your post-date debrief.”
“Oh, goody, can’t wait for my grade.” I smirk, then glance at Walter, who’s starting to look a bit peeved at our lengthy conversation. “I’m sure I’ll ace it.”
After hanging up, I set the phone aside and get back to work, moving at a pace that’s less frantic now and more purposeful. Walter periodically meows his disapproval, mainly when I block his view of the squirrels fighting on the back patio.
Eventually, I manage to wrestle the house into a state of presentability, a zenith of cleanliness Walter can only disdainfully ignore from his napping perch.
With the crisis averted, I take a shower and do a series of thorough inspections to ensure my body is buffed, shaved, and ready for action so I don’t let Cassidy down on my first outing as her official romantic “pupil.”
The bathroom steams up nicely, making me feel more relaxed and ready to tackle whatever the night might throw my way. Determined, I practice a few winning smiles in the mirror, touching up my makeup with a degree of precision that would make a surgeon proud.
It’s not long before I’m pulling on my favorite pair of jeans and a top that’s casual yet enticing. I add a swipe of my signature lip gloss, just a hint of shimmer to keep things interesting.
“You could be just a little more supportive,” I say to Walter, who yawns as if to say my transformation efforts haven’t been worth losing sleep over.
I’m just finishing the final touches on my eyeliner when I hear a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat. I don’t just have butterflies in my tummy; I have a whole butterfly aviary fluttering around in there.
I walk to the door, taking one last deep breath before pulling it open to find Tony standing there with that irresistible grin on his handsome face, holding a pizza box in one hand and a brightly colored cat toy in the other. “Hello, kitty.” He gives me a kiss on the lips before I step back for him to follow me into the small house.
“Hi,” I say as the smell of the pepperoni pizza wafts toward me, causing my tummy to growl.
“I hope this is an appropriate peace offering for King Walter.” He lifts the little mouse toy attached to a wand, and Walter emerges from his usual lair with surprising interest, ears perked and eyes locked on his new quarry.
