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“You shouldn’t stop trying to impress a partner, Clawds. If you do, then the relationship dies.”
I checked the clock on the bedside table, and the glowing green numbers suggested that Mary would be arriving any moment while Winnie stood swaying in her underwear. Mary wouldn’t like that.I think she’d be more impressed if you were dressed at all.
Winnie gasped, covering herself dramatically with a blouse she had pulled out. “Are you saying you think I look better with my clothes on?”
I wouldn’t know. You aren’t my type.I sniffed distastefully and looked at her with one eye. Another feline talent I had picked up.
She laughed. “No, I know your type. He’s next door.” She twirled toward me and posed. “What do you think about this?”
The outfit was just as good as the ones she had before. The pencil skirt was black and hit below the knees. She had paired it with a summery orange blouse that complimented her dark skin. Her heels were low and reminded me of the kind I used to wear.
You look beautiful, Winnie. Are you going to a job interview?
“Of a sort.” She turned back to admire herself in the mirror.
You already have a job.
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe I want a new one.”
I narrowed my eyes in response.Why wouldn’t you just tell me that? You’re being awfully secretive lately.
She looked at me, expressionless, and moved to sit with me on the bed. When I began purring at her nails scratching my chin, she smiled brightly.
“I just didn’t want to get my hopes up. That’s all,” she said. “I’m not keeping secrets from you, Clawd. I couldn’t. You’re my familiar. You’re my bonded soul for life.”
Jingling keys against the front door’s lock interrupted my softening. We both tensed. Winnie shot up.
“Oh goddess, I’m not ready!” she whispered urgently. “Go distract her, Clawds.”
You know she can’t hear me and barely spares me a glance. Just be quick, and she won’t get so annoyed.
“Win!” Mary shouted. “I’m here. You ready?”
Her footsteps pounded against the floors as she traipsed upstairs, and my ears flattened.
“We’re going to be late if you aren’t ready,” she continued. “I bloody told you to pick your outfit last night.”
Winnie’s bedroom door flung open, slamming against the door stop on the wall with a bang. I flinched, lying tensely on the bed.
There stood Mary, dressed in striped trousers, a white blouse, and a red blazer. Her neat, slicked-back brown hair showed the shaved sides, but the frown that deepened as she looked at Winnie was not made prettier by the pink lipstick.
She continued her tirade. “I knew you wouldn’t be ready on time. You never are.”
Winnie tried to interrupt. “That’s not fair—”
“You know how important this meeting is. Why are you trying to sabotage our chances? Do you even want this?” Like a bulldozer, she tore around the room, picking things up and putting them down in different places.
“You know I do,” Winnie whispered and bowed her head, a sight that always troubled me.
“Well, you’re not acting like it. We have to go, Win. Get your stuff. Let’s move,” Mary snapped, already storming to the door.
“I just have to—”
“Do it. Quickly.” She barely spared me a glance as she turned and left the room.
Winnie and I both sighed.
She’s always so loud, I said.
