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He turns and smiles. “Hey. Come here.”
Walking over, I can’t help but smile the closer I get. Inside the basket are numerous kittens, five or six I think, and a mama cat on the smaller side.
“What do we have here?”
“I found them last night,” Michel says. “I couldn’t sleep so I went for a run. Heard them mewing on my way back in. I think someone dumped them. The mama cat is too docile to be feral.”
“How could someone do that?”
“People can be assholes, especially to the helpless.” His voice dips to that low, slightly scary place it did last night with Garrett. “Fortunately, I was there to rescue them.”
“They are so cute.” I sit next to the basket, scooping one of the kittens up. It’s a black fluffball with a dot of white on its nose, mewing fiercely to be released. “Shit. I’m already in love.”
Michel chuckles. “So am I. Would it be ridiculous to keep six cats?”
“You have the space.”
“Would it bother you?”
“Of course not. Besides, cats are pretty chill.”
His face lights up like I just announced aDoctor Whomarathon. “We need to name them.”
“Yeah.” I kiss the one I’m holding then put it back in the basket, choosing another one. This one is gray with little flecks of black in various places. “So cute.”
Michel’s phone vibrates on the coffee table, and he scowls at it. “Who is calling me at this hour?”
As he rises to answer it, I notice the silk pajama pants he’s wearing with a regular t-shirt on top. It’s odd seeing him dressed down after the suit, but it reminds me of the guy I used to know. That is, until he answers the phone.
“I hope this is an emergency.”
He listens, and I watch as his frown morphs into interest.
“Oh. Interesting. You made the right choice, Crystal. I’ll be in shortly.” After ending the call he turns to me. “Some business owners from New Onyx are on their way to meet with me.”
“Ah.”
“Please make yourself at home. I’ll check in with you later to see what’s going on.”
“No problem. I’ll unpack a little. Just do what you need to, Michel. I know you have a job to do.”
He nods, glancing at the kittens. “I don’t want to leave them.”
“I’ll keep them company.”
He smiles. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
Once Michel leaves the house, I bring the basket of kittens to my bedroom while I unpack. I set them on the floor by the bed, reaching in to give ear scritches to all of them, but especially mama. She’s been through so much. I wonder if we should get them seen by a vet.
It’s kind of sweet that a man who is obviously powerful still has such a sweet side to care for abandoned kittens. I scoop a few up to hold them in my arms, thinking about what their names should be before nestling them back in the basket to start organizing my room.
What luck to run into Michel my first day back and have the opportunity to stay somewhere so nice. I was imagining the angst of sleeping in my old room and having my parents nag me every day about my life choices.
Chuckling, I hang up a few sweaters. Neubrook has been through a lot, but I have a feeling everything is only going up from here.
After a few minutes, I head to the kitchen for more coffee and something to eat. When I open the fridge, I almost stumble. It’s fully stocked with food, a variety of beverages, and all kinds of quick snacks like yogurt and cheese.
