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When she smiled he realized how tired she looked. Her makeup was smudged. Her eyes slightly red. “Are you okay, Sophie?”
“I’m okay. I’m really sorry about what my brother’s done. I had no idea. Nobody did.”
“It’s got nothing to do with me.” He ate half the delicate little cake in one bite.
“But it’s your family’s money.”
“My family doesn’t really have any money. There’s the trust. And my brother’s land, I suppose.”
“That’s awful!” she gasped.
“Hopefully it’ll be settled by the insurance company if it comes to it. Though if it does put his land at risk, then I’ll get pissed and come looking for your brother.” He held up the cake. “This is really good,” he said before he popped the rest into his mouth.
“Thanks,” she murmured. “But...your father’s memory. It shouldn’t be hurt like this. It’s not fair.”
He dusted his hands off over the sink with a chuckle. “I’m not the least bit worried about my dad’s memory. Many years of effort have gone into making that man into a saint. He could use some tarnishing. Especially considering that we’re about to have a ceremony honoring his sleazy death.”
When she winced, he muttered a curse.
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I’m not used to talking to someone who was involved.”
“No, it’s okay. It was sleazy, unfortunately. But there’s nothing wrong with honoring his memory.”
He wasn’t sure about that, but it was too complicated to figure out tonight. “What about your mom? Did you have a ceremony?”
She swallowed hard before she turned and busied herself with piling bowls and pans in the sink. “Not really.” Clearly, she wanted to discuss it as much as he did. Good.
“You look awfully cute in that apron,” he said, eyeing the ribbons that curled over her ass.
She flashed him a bright smile and dried her hands on a dainty towel embroidered with berries. “Thank you.”
“You look awfully cute in everything. And nothing.”
“Stop.” She giggled, her cheeks flushing with a much healthier color than she’d had a few seconds ago. A tiny meow broke the silence.
Her eyes went wide.
“Oh. Um... Listen. Can you do me a big favor?” He unzipped his jacket and pulled out the kitten.
“Oh, my God,” she gasped, immediately taking it from his hands to cuddle against her chest.
“I found her wandering outside. I can’t take her to the motel, but I didn’t want to leave her outside. I’ll check out shelters tomorrow, but if it’s not too much trouble for tonight...?”
Sophie didn’t answer. She was too busy burying her nose in the kitten’s fur. The kitten purred like an engine. “Oh, my God,” Sophie breathed. “Yes, she can stay with me. How do you know she’s a girl?”
He shrugged. “She’s pretty?”
“I don’t think that’s how it works. But we’ll settle on ‘her’ for now.”
She got a can of tuna from the cupboard and set it on the ground. The kitten quickly abandoned purring and began eating like a pro. Sophie set down a bowl of water, too. Within minutes, the kitten was curled up in a chair, asleep, her fat tummy rising and falling with each breath.
“I’ll try to take her off your hands before the weekend.”
“Sure. I’ll make up a litter box. She’ll be fine.” She wiped down the kitchen counter.
“You said you wanted to talk.”
“I did.”
