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She drove straight in and cheered a little when she found a spot almost straight ahead. “Looks like we’re lucky today,” she explained. “Finding a space here can be traumatizing.” After she put the car in park, she turned her body in her seat. “Do you want to look at the menu?”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “Surprise me.”

Her eyes widened for a moment, but it wasn’t shock. More like anticipation. “Okay. I’ll be…” she frowned a little. “Do you mind that I’m just leaving you in the car with the beast?”

Ebi hissed at that movement and Buck turned his head to look.

The cat looked angry.

“Does she understand English that much?”

Mari shrugged. “I think she just doesn’t like me. I’m just a watered-down substitute. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me for not being… Anyway,” she pushed the car door open, “I better get in there before a rush comes.”

Buck reached into his wallet and stopped when she pointed a wagging finger at him.

“Don’t you dare, Heath Derringer! This place was my pick. I’ve got this.”

A moment later the door closed, leaving him in the air-conditioned comfort of her car.

He heard noise from the backseat and turned.

The orange cat was looking at him as if she was trapped behind prison bars and he’d put her there, personally.

Now, she was deciding what torture would be best to visit on him.

He drew in a breath preparing himself and turned in his seat again.

The cat lifted her head and made a noise that sounded like a huff.

“You’ve got some attitude, don’t you.”

The orange cat just closed her eyes and ended the conversation.

Conversation?

He shook his head.

I must be losing my mind, he sighed, I’m not having a conversation with a cat.

Then why, his mind shot back at him, are you talking to it?

Closing his own eyes, he tipped his head back and let the air conditioning wash over him.

When he heard the driver’s side door open, he opened his eyes a second before he smelled the most amazing food he’d come across in years.

“What is that?”

Mari slid into the driver’s seat and put that bag in his lap. “You told me to surprise you,” she explained. “So you’ll have to wait until we get to your place to see.”

“Fuck seeing,” he grumbled and his stomach echoed the sentiment. “I want to eat it.”

“Good,” she clicked her seatbelt in and backed out of the spot.

Another car was already waiting for the space.

“Now, where is your place?”

She pulled around to the far side of the parking lot and he smiled. “Take a right onto the street and then a right on that first street. When we get to the housing area-”