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“Sure, why not? I could use the company, right? I miss having a cat around.”
My eyes got huge. “You’re a cat person?” Freaking damn it.
Fate,is that you?
“I’ll cover the shop, Holly. The boys and I will close. Take the rest of the day off and help Liam get settled with his cat. I know you want to.” Violet winked at me with a grin. She was the real master. I had been obsessed with cats since I was a little girl, a fact she was well aware of. The only reason I didn’t have one or three or seven yet was because I didn’t have my own place. Lily and Rose would never be able to compete with her. For Violet, matchmaking was organic. Damn she was good. So much for staying behind the counter when it came to Liam.
“Thanks.” I stepped out from the counter already reaching for the cat. Liam handed him to me with a chuckle. “What are you going to name him?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Oh, I know! Name him Chester. He’s orange like a Cheeto. Or maybe Cheddar? Let’s not forget about our shared cheese obsession—maybe we could commemorate it.” Before our Valentine’s Day kiss, we’d done some serious damage to a charcuterie board and discovered our mutual fondness for cheese of all varieties.
“I like Cheddar.”
“Professor Cheddar Bartholomeow Chesterpaws. Do you have stuff for him yet? Litter box, food, bed, toys, catnip, treats, blankie—”
“Professor?” he questioned, gaze lowering to where I cuddled Cheddar to my chest.
“He seems kind of serious, don’t you think? And it looks like he has a monocle.” I pointed to his left eye, which was encircled by a white stripey ring.
“I guess so. He was seriously pissed about being abandoned in a wood pile at the side of the road. But I came straight here from Jed’s to meet Lily. I have nothing for him yet.”
“I got you. Follow me. My friend Tess owns the pet shop around the corner.” I took his hand and dragged him behind me as I headed toward the door then shoved it open with my hip. “She’ll get you all set up.”
“I haven’t met Tess yet.” He held the door over my head, and I turned, flashing him a grin, no longer worried about jumping him now that we had this little kitty to take care of. Cat happiness trumped everything else as far as I was concerned.
“She’s awesome. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. Her sister Elizabeth runs the Quickbriar Stop-and-Go. You definitely know her, everyone in town does. Anyway, we don’t hang out that much since I got back to town because her husband can’t stand me. They have two kids but really, she’s a single mom of three if you get what I’m saying. She told me he won’t babysit so she can go anywhere with me.Babysit?His own dang kids?”
“That’s awful—”
“Right? Anyway, he’s a giant man baby—ever since high school. He’s literally incapable of doing anything for himself. Like, she used to go through the line and bring him his freaking lunch tray, can you believe that? He was such a little turd.We used to beat each other up in second grade. But I’m working on control and acceptance. So far, I’ve managed not to shit talk him to her face. So please don’t repeat anything I just said.”
“Wow.” A deep chuckle rumbled behind me as we walked. “I won’t repeat a word, I swear.”
“Sorry.” I cringed. “The more comfortable I get around you, the more useless information is gonna come tumbling out of my mouth. I’ll try to rein it in.”
“Don’t be sorry and don’t rein anything in. It’s cute as fuck.”
I stopped short on the sidewalk. Red faced and flustered as I turned to him. “What?”
He touched a fingertip to my nose. “You’re adorable.”
“Oh.” A nervous laugh burst out of my mouth. “You’re not so bad yourself, and I might steal this cat to go along with your T-shirt and hoodie. Professor Cheddar needs a mommy to cuddle, doesn’t he?” I cooed, kissing the top of his furry little head. I shrugged my shoulders, embarrassed even though he said I was cute. The hoodie slipped off my shoulder.
He straightened it, eyes burning into mine. “If you need something to cuddle while you’re wearing my clothes, I’m happy to volunteer. I’ll even bring Cheddar with me.”
“You’re a cuddler?” I slammed my eyes shut against his knowing smile.
“That’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself. First-hand information is the best kind.”
“Ahh, I’m intrigued. And you’ll discover—quite easily, I might add—that I let it all hang out through rambling bursts oftoo muchinformation. I’m an open book. It’s a character flaw.”
He looked down at me, lips tilted up at the corner. I could see the invitation smoldering in the depths of his gorgeous brown eyes. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re flawless.”
With one word, I could discovereverythingabout him and ramp up our friendship to something more. It was written all over his face clear as day.
Chapter9
