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“Her? It’s a girl?” Why did that make it so much better?
“Yes.” His smile almost made me melt.
I stepped forward and took the kitten from the container. She was a creamy color, with shades of brown, like a tortoiseshell pattern. And oh my god, her eyes. So blue! “Hey, sweet girl. What’s your name? Hmm, let’s see.”
“I’ll be very surprised if you don’t name her Patti.”
“Oh my god, of course. Hello, Patti. Just so you know, you’re named after the Queen of Punk and my own personal idol. She’s fierce, proud and absolutely amazing. So, you know, no pressure.” Patti started purring the moment I stroked her head. “Oh, aren’t you just a darling? I’m so in love.”
“She’s had all her shots, she’s spayed and perfectly healthy.”
“Of course you are!” I nuzzled Patti, smiling when she butted her nose against my cheek.
“The shelter gave me?—”
“She’s from a shelter?”
“Uh, yeah. There’s one about an hour and a half away. I figured you’d prefer a rescue.”
The way my heart squeezed at that. “You’re right. I do prefer that.”
“I’ll just get her stuff.”
“Okay.” I leaned against the kitchen counter, cuddling Patti against my chest.
Grayson came back a few moments later, carrying a bag full of kitten food, water and feed bowls, a teeny tiny bed and some cat toys.
Patti wriggled a little in my arms and I turned her so she was lying like a baby. “Grayson!”
He hurried over. “What is it? Is there something wrong with her?”
“Look at her little toe beans!Lookat them!” I held Patti’s paw up so he could really see them.
He smiled. “They are very cute.”
“Are you kidding me right now? They are the cutest fucking thing I have ever seen.” Holding Patti in one hand, I threw my arm around Grayson, went up on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you!”
“Uh, of course. You’re welcome. How about I make us some lunch?”
“Sure. Patti’s in the mood for chicken.”
“Patti has her own food. She doesn’t need to eat ours.”
I stared at him without saying a word.
“Fine. I’ll make her some chicken.”
CHAPTER 24
Grayson
My condo was unbelievably quiet. I felt it like a weight pressing down on me. There were no distractions. Nothing to stop my mind drifting, inexorably, to Stef. I wondered what she was doing right now. It was late. After eleven o’clock. She should be asleep.
I hoped she was okay. She’d been fine for the few days that I’d spent at the beach house. Not quite her old self, but getting there. Then, on the last day, when I’d scheduled the jet to fly me back to Raleigh, her mood had plummeted. She’d been quiet during lunch and when I’d reassured her that Vera was back on call, she’d just shrugged. Odd, because I thought she liked Vera.
Now I couldn’t get Dante’s words out of my mind.
“When she reaches the point in her recovery where she’s almost well enough to be active again, but she’s still not there yet, it hits her really hard. Messes with her head.”