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Confused by where she’s headed, I grab the bags with one hand and carefully hoist the box with the other so I can follow her.
We enter the family room area, which is open to a dining space and kitchen. My bedroom is to the left.
Nova faces me. “The pool house is tiled, so it’s best to keep them here in case of accidents on the wood and marble floors in the main house. Don’t worry, though. I’ll sleep on the couch in case they get scared at night.”
“What? No. I’m not letting you sleep on the couch.”
“I don’t mind, Riley. And I’m not about to take over your bed again. Besides, the couch is super comfy.” She lowers onto the cushions without disturbing the sleeping prince on her breasts.
I set the box and bags on the floor, the kittens meowing away. “What should I do?”
“Keep these closed so they don’t escape,” Gigi says, suddenly here, and shuts the glass doors.
“Thank you for this, Gigi,” Nova says. “I love them already.”
Gigi beams. “Anything to see that beautiful smile on your face. You deserve happiness. You do, too.” Gigi eyes me.
I smile in thanks.
“You have to believe it for yourself for it to be real,” she adds in her not-so-subtle way.
“Thanks, Gigi. I’m working on it.”
“I know you are. You both are, and I couldn’t be prouder.” Her brows lower. “I do wonder, though. Was this your way of getting out of future game nights?”
“No.” Nova’s voice is high. “Not at the time when I thought of it. Now, however, it does seem convenient. You couldn’t possibly expect us to leave our babies to play a game. What if they need us?”
“Of course I wouldn’t. Kittens need a lot of attention. They’ll need to acclimate to their new surroundings and bond with their new owners. I’m sure you two will do a marvelous job.”
“I think we will.” Nova pets the kitten on her boobs.
“I’m going out tonight. A fundraiser. But I won’t be too late.”
“Okay,” Nova says. “Have fun.”
“I always do.” She gives us a mischievous grin. “Inez has been instructed to deliver whatever food you want to eat. I told her about the kittens. She’s not a fan of pets but she respects your decision to adopt less fortunate animals.”
Less fortunate animals.I never thought about it that way. “And if we wanted to order pizza?”
Gigi gasps. “Don’t offend her with that idea. Inez is excellent at making whatever your heart desires. You won’t be disappointed.”
“Of course not.” I nod with conviction. “We will order from Inez’s fine Italian diner.”
Gigi smiles and shakes her head. “Riley, you are one of a kind—one of the best kinds.” She winks and leaves the pool house, closing the door behind her.
“You can let the little ones out to roam. Just keep an eye on them.” Nova moves to sit on the floor near the box.
“On it.” I take out Itty-bitty and then the other. “Should we name them? Itty-bitty has a name, unless you want to change it, but the others don’t.”
“Hmm? The pressure of a name. Got any suggestions?”
“I wouldn’t know where to start. That’s all you.” I sit in front of her while the calico kitten and Itty-bitty climb over my legs.
“Let me think.” Nova’s features twist with the cutest expression.
It’s then I realize she’s not wearing makeup. Yesterday, her face was done up, but today she looks as good as she did this morning. Beautiful and bare.
“We could name the white one Poppy.”