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“I can do it anytime. I’m just across the hall. Honestly, if you prefer for me just to feed him when you’re out of town—”
I cut in. “He likes attention. I haven’t had him that long and hadn’t sorted out plans for him when I’m out for a fire.”
“I get it. Come on in. You can see him.” She unlocked her door, pausing with her hand on the doorknob.
“I was going to pop into my apartment and make sure I had enough litter and food. I moved in a rush, and honestly, I can’t remember.”
She waved a hand dismissively as she opened her door. “I have plenty.”
With that, I followed her in. I glanced around, mentally noting her place was a mirror of mine. The main area was an open living space with the living room to the front and facing the street with a small island serving as a divider between that and the kitchen at the back. I presumed the two doors to the side were the bathroom and bedroom, just like my place.
As I glanced around, my gaze landed on Humpty on the back of the sofa, looking out the window at the street. He looked over and quickly leaped off the couch, trotting across the room and circling my ankles and then Farrah’s.
I leaned down to greet him. “Hey, dude,” I said conversationally, scratching under his chin.
He replied with a rumbling purr. Farrah smiled at us when I glanced up at her. “He is generous with his purring,” she offered.
“Any problems with him?” I straightened.
She leaned down and scooped him up in her arms, stroking over the top of his head. “Not a one. He definitely likes his attention. I’ve just been feeding him and changing the litter box. Cats are pretty easy to take care of. Dogs are too, but they actually involve walking. I also got Humpty some catnip toys.” She waggled her eyebrows. “He loves them.”
I chuckled. “Good to know. I got a scratching post for him, but he hasn’t shown much interest. I’ll have to try the catnip toys.”
“Hang on. I have a basket for him.” She lowered Humpty to the floor and turned to set her purse and keys on the island counter. “Here are his toys.” Farrah walked over and lifted a small basket off the floor. Returning to me, she handed it over. I looked inside to see a collection of stuffed animals, all with bells attached. “They’re all stuffed with catnip. He loves them. And there’s this.” She lifted what appeared to be a small fishing rod that had a line with a toy attached to the end. She held it up, swinging it back and forth. Humpty came dashing over to leap in the air and bat happily at it. “It’ll keep him entertained. I even got you one of those little penlight things for him.” She demonstrated that as well with Humpty running around and chasing the dot of light on the floor.
I smiled sheepishly. “I think you’re a better cat parent than I am.”
Farrah placed the pen back in the basket and shrugged. “Not really. I just like wasting money on cat toys.”
“All done fighting that fire?” she asked, resting her hips against the counter as she turned to face me again.
I took a few steps, stopping beside her. “All done.”
I could literally feel the voltage in the space between us, like a charge about to go off.
She blinked and pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Aside from helping with Humpty, if you need anything…” She paused and shrugged. Just then, her stomach growled. Farrah’s cheeks went pink, and she pressed her palm over her stomach. “I’m starving. I was just about to order takeout. Do you want some?”
No fucking way would I turn that down. All I wanted was to spend more time with Farrah.
“I was thinking of ordering from the Gallery Café. It’s curry night there,” she added.
“Sounds good to me. Do they deliver?”
At her nod, I replied, “Let’s order then. I’m not up for going anywhere. I’ll pop across the hall and drop off my bag. I’d say we could eat over there, but I’m not too organized. I’m so glad the place came furnished.”
Farrah grinned. “I know. It’s a handy feature.”
I looked around, taking in the colorful throw pillows on the couch and the artwork on the walls. Her apartment had more personal touches even though the furnishings were the same as mine. I glanced at her, casting a sheepish grin. “I think you’re better at decorating than me.”
“I’m sure you did just fine.”
After conferring on the order and telling Farrah I’d eat whatever she recommended, I stepped across the hall. When I turned on the lights, I glanced around. I dropped my bag in the bathroom by the washer and dryer, planning to start a load of laundry before I went to bed.
I checked the kitchen cabinet I had designated for Humpty’s food to discover I still had half a bag of cat food left and plenty of litter in the bathroom for him. When I returned to Farrah’s apartment, she offered me a beer.
A few minutes later, we were seated, and I discovered that the loveseat was small. Even though she tucked herself in the corner, it felt like she was immediately beside me. Humpty sat behind us on the top of the cushions, purring up a storm.
The food was as delicious as Farrah promised. I didn’t want to leave after we finished eating. I had expected this to be an evening of tension and perhaps awkward conversation. Instead, Farrah was remarkably easy to talk with. She had a litany of questions about firefighting.
