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“Deal.”
I nod as though it’s settled.
She cuddles the cat into her chest and suddenly I’m jealous of a fucking kitten. “What will you name him?”
I put my hands on my hips and give it some thought. “Not sure. It has to be something strong, tough.”
She giggles. “What about Leo? You know, since he’s orange like a lion.”
I shake my head. “Too on the nose.” I contemplate it for a beat and say the first name that pops in my head that doesn’t sound froufrou. “Zeus.”
“Like the god?”
“Yup. He was the top deity in ancient Greek mythology, the ruler and protector… it suits him.”
She looks at the kitten with a smile. “I think it does too.” Then she looks at me. “We should probably go to the pet store to get him some things since he’s going to be staying here.”
Twyla bites her plump bottom lip and I shift my stance so that she doesn’t notice the half chub in my athletic pants.
“How much stuff does a little kitten need?” My forehead wrinkles.
“You’ll be surprised.”
“Fine. Let me make my smoothie first.” I turn and head into the kitchen.
“Maybe I should go on my own. I’m the one who roped you into this. Technically, I’m responsible.”
I reach the other side of the island and turn to face her, leaning with my palms on the counter. “Twyla, it’s fine. Just give me a few minutes.”
“Okay.” She smiles with relief as though I made her day. “I’m going to go put Zeus back in the bathroom so he doesn’t get into trouble while we’re gone. We can let him explore once we get back.”
She turns around and I watch her walk down the hallway. Only a small part of me is ashamed that I’m checking out her ass the entire time.
“So we’re going to need a kitty litter pan, some kitty litter, food, treats, some toys, probably a brush, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.”
“You’re kidding, right? Toothbrush and toothpaste?” I stand with my arms crossed, looking down the cat aisle at the pet store. An aisle that is entirely too long with way too many products. People are psycho when it comes to their pets.
“No, you have to start brushing their teeth when they’re little, otherwise they won’t let you do it when they're older. Oral hygiene is important in animals too.”
It’s sort of cute how serious she is about it.
“Twyla, I am not brushing the cat’s teeth.”
She shrugs. “That’s okay. I’ll do it.”
It shouldn’t make me happy that she’ll have to come over to my place to brush Zeus’s teeth, but it does.
“Oh, and we’ll need something to clip his claws.” She walks down the aisle in search of the extensive list of things in her head.
Half an hour later, our cart is full as we push it up to the checkout. Twyla tries to skirt past me to the cash register, but I shift, blocking her way.
“I got it.”
“No way. You didn’t even want the cat in the first place.” She moves to get around me, but I’m wide enough that I fill the tiny aisle between registers.
I gently place a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not a big deal. You save your money.”
Her cheeks pinken and I worry my words embarrassed her. Great. I’m trying to be a nice guy and I manage to come off like a jerk.
