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“While you’re at work.”

“Oh.” She hesitates. “I was actually going to ask you about that.”

I wait.

“Would it be okay if he stayed here? He should be fine alone.”

I look at the cat. The cat looks at me. “What were you planning to do if I said no?”

“Take him with me to work until I could find some kind of pet daycare. Or more permanent housing.”

I stare at her.

“You were going to take your cat to a publishing house? And what the hell is a pet daycare?”

“It’s like regular daycare, except for pets.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“What? Mrs. Johnson, a few floors down, gave me the name of one nearby called LuLu’s.”

She’s been here less than forty-eight hours, and she already knows the neighbors?

“Oh well, I guess we will have to just take Mrs. Johnson’s word for it then.”

Delaney bites back a smile.

I sigh. “Darcy will be just fine here with me.” I bend down to ruffle his fur. “Right, buddy?”

He makes a low sound.

“You sure?” Delaney nervously laughs.

“Positive.” I tilt my head and examine the cat. Maybe it won’t be so bad having this furry creature here. “We’ll be just fine.” I stand and flash her a reassuring smile. The last thing I need is for her to worry about her cat and be late for her first day of work.

“Okay… if you say so.”

Darcy flicks his tail.

“Oh, what about when I leave for practice? Does he have food?”

“Yes.”

“Water?”

“Already taken care of.”

“What else…” I run a hand through my hair as I glance around the room. “Oh—what about his shit-box or whatever?”

“That would be called a litter box.” She rolls her eyes.

“Good. But that’s where I draw the line. The only scooping I do is on the ice.”

“It’s already set up in my bathroom. As long as my bedroom door stays open, he can get to everything, but you might want to make sure that your bedroom door is shut.”

“Noted.” The last thing I need is him back in there, making himself at home on my 800-thread-count sheets.

Her phone buzzes in her hand. She glances at the screen and groans.