Page 37 of Crash and Burn

"I'm not a fanatic," I replied, forcing my voice to go back to its usual timber. "I like their songs. They've got a good sound."

"I hope they aren't too popular," Grant said.

"Why?" I asked.

"They might bring in too big of a crowd," he replied. "Sin and Tonic is full enough on regular nights without trying to fit in a mosh pit of fans."

"I think they’ve got a core following, but it's not like they'll fill the place," I said. "It's a good thing we've hired Evan to help out."

"Right." Grant stabbed at a breakfast sausage savagely. "How's Mittens?"

His attempt to change the subject wasn't subtle in the slightest, but I was willing to go with it.

"She's doing good, in that she's healthy," I said. "She's bad in that I can't get her to stop screeching at all hours."

"Is she okay?" Grant asked, worried.

"I took her to a vet," I said. "She's healthier than I am."

"She probably just wants attention," Grant said. "I know I mentioned it before, but getting another cat to keep her company could be a good idea."

"I might actually start considering that," I said. "Because I don't know what else to do at this point. I try to hold her and pet her when she starts acting up, but if it's attention she wants, it's definitely not mine." My mouth twisted. "My own cat hates me."

"At least she doesn't scratch up the furniture," he pointed out. "It could be worse."

"Small favors," I replied.

"You should bring her to the bar some day," he said, "She could be our mascot. The customers can give her all the attention she could possibly want."

"I don't think I'm allowed to bring an animal into a food establishment," I said. "It's probably some health code violation."

"I once went to a bar that had a bearded dragon hanging around," he said. "The owner kept him out in the open. He wrapped it in a blanket to keep it warm, but everyone was allowed to pet his soft stomach."

I made a face.

"A reptile at a bar is most definitely a health hazard," I said.

"I'm just saying," Grant replied, “if a lizard can be a bar mascot, I'm sure a cat can."

"Sure, and then we end up with cat hair in everyone's drinks."

Grant and I both made identical faces of disgust, then laughed together.

The two of us were able to chat so easily about anything. We had such a good friendship. His smile made my day just that much better.

Did I really need anything else?

My phone pinged and I quickly glanced at it. The top notification was just a spam email.

But the second notification, the one from hours earlier that I had obviously missed, was from Farrow and Paige.

"Holyshit," I said under my breath.

"Checking your email while we're having brunch? Such poor manners,” he teased.

I pulled out my phone anyway and thumbed open the email. This couldn't wait.

"Oh my god," I whispered. A manic grin spread across my face as I read the message. "This can't be real."