Page 25 of It Had To Be You

“I’ve updated the kittens’ feeding chart and another cat is coming in this evening,” Bella says.

The woman in front of me has a mean gaze and it’s unnerving. “I’m Sophie. I saw you at Pride, but I’m not sure if you saw me.” She keeps eye contact, but it’s not friendly.

“No, sorry, I didn’t,” I lie. For some reason, I don’t want her to know I’ve thought about her in any way.

Am I jealous?No.That can’t be it.

Lara and Bella walk away from us, chatting, and Sophie leans in to whisper, although there’s no need with the cats meowing in the background. “Lara likes you, although I’m not sure why. When you leave for America, make sure she knows exactly what you’re offering her.”

I’m not sure who this woman thinks she is, but I dislike her instantly. Lara can’t date her. It would make me enemy number one. I’m no pushover, though. She needs to know who she’s dealing with.

I whisper too, though I’m not sure why. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Lara and I are best friends. She knows that, I know that, and now you do too. She told me you fancy her, but I’m not a threat to you, so back off.”

“Lara might give me a chance if she thinks she doesn’t stand a chance with you. Tell her you’re too self-absorbed and you’ll never love her like I could.” Her words are made against gritted teeth.

I’ve no idea what she’s talking about. Did Lara use me as her excuse for turning her down? “I hope not. She’s too good for you. Lara’s sweet, and you seem like a bitch.”

“I can be a better person for her. Actually, I already am. She brings out the best in me. It would be better for her to date someone like me than drool over someone who doesn’t see her for the sexy, beautiful woman she is.”

This woman is crazy. It’s almost laughable. Lara always sees the good in people, so much so that maybe she doesn’t realise the situation she’s gotten herself into with Sophie.

“Her beauty is more than skin deep. She’s a wonderful person.” I try to put my hands on my hips and almost fall. Sophie doesn’t help me.

“I bet she tastes delicious too.” She licks her lips.

A growl escapes me. She must be jealous of our friendship and trying to provoke me. There’s no need to give me that vision, though. There’s no way I’d let Sophie’s tongue anywhere near my girl’s pussy. I mean… Lara’s pussy. “Don’t ever talk about her like that again.”

“What’s wrong?” Lara asks, coming to join us.

“Nothing,” we both say in unison.

“I’m heading out,” Bella says. She grabs her lunch bag and waves on her way past. “Goodnight.”

“Me too,” Sophie says. She hugs Lara goodbye, and I grit my teeth. “See ya.”

“Bye,” Lara says. I stare at Sophie, glad when she finally leaves.

“What was all that about?” Lara asks when the door slams. We’re alone. Well, as alone as you can be with lots of cats.

“Sophie thinks she needs to warn me off you. Apparently, she thinks I’m the reason she can’t get in your pants.”

Lara stares at me open-mouthed. Instead of denying what Sophie says, she starts doing her job. I frown, unsure what just happened. Is she just mad with her friend, me, or did I hit a nerve? Why am I even questioning our friendship? Sophie is nothing to me. But Lara means everything.

CHAPTER13

LARA

I wantto strangle Sophie for what she said to Mallory. Given the opportunity, I couldn’t bring myself to lie. Sophie was both right and wrong. Sophie might think Mallory is what is standing in her way, but I already told her we weren’t going to be more than friends.

All she’s done is make it obvious we’re incompatible. Sophie wouldn’t be right for me even if Mallory didn’t exist. She’s unhinged and unpredictable. Natural progression should conquer all. It takes time to understand another person and see if they truly fit in your heart. Sophie is making me like her less and less.

I grab the milk for the newborn kittens and a chair for Mallory. “Come sit,” I say, setting up the feeding station. I’m ready to let go of my anger and enjoy the now with my bestie.

Mallory moves over, and I help her onto the flimsy chair. It creaks as she sits down. I put an old blue towel on her knee before going for the first kitten.

“It’s your turn first, sweet girl,” I say to the kitten, placing her on Mallory’s knee. She meows, already knowing what’s coming. These kittens are pretty in the know after a few weeks here.

“What’s going on right now?” Mallory asks.

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