Page 4 of Jordan’s Breakthrough (Unexpected Love #3)
With a sigh, I swipe to unlock my phone.
Facebook’s been the only thing helping me feel remotely connected lately.
I head straight for the Plant Daddies group to check for any new plant-drama.
It’s quickly become my favorite corner on the internet.
I mean, thousands of gay men who love plants as much as I do? Hell yes!
I’m even starting to recognize a few of the names—Samson, Geoff, Jordan. Makes me wonder if any of them are in Salt Lake City.
The first few posts give me mega plant envy. I can only dream of owning that many. Like the Birds of Paradise Geoff is tending to in the grey sweatpants? Honey, I’d give anything to have some giant um… leaves like that.
Yes, I’m here for the men too. Sue me. Everyone is. The whole room is filled with sweet, sexy, earthy vibes, and it brightens my day.
A post with bright red alarm emojis catches my attention. Below it, a picture of a beautiful white cat fills the screen, perched on a counter next to a row of potted plants. I recognize the feline from other posts shared in the group before.
Jordan Sanchez posts: Does anyone know what these plants are and if they’re toxic for cats? I adopted them from a friend’s backyard, so I’m just starting to research, but thought I’d ask here too. Thanks. Happy seeding!
I chuckle. That term has become an inside joke with our members, a clear nod toward our other favorite activity.
There are already dozens of comments on his post, but I ignore them and zoom in on the plants. The purple ones are grape hyacinth—boring—but the white ones make my heart skip a beat.
I skip the comment section and go straight for the DMs.
Me: Hey, sorry for sliding into your inbox like this.
Just wanted to be sure you saw my note. That white flower you posted in the Plant Daddies group?
It’s star jasmine, and unfortunately, it’s toxic to cats.
If your furbaby is anything like my curious menace is, I’d keep it well out of reach.
Quick rundown of things to watch for: upset stomach, glassy eyes, lethargy.
If she’s puking or acting weird at all, definitely get her checked out.
If she stops eating or drinking, don’t wait!
(Sorry if I sound like a walking vet manual.
Both of my parents are veterinarians, so I grew up hearing about this stuff on the daily.) Also, I totally guessed on the gender—she just looks like a princess.
Anyway, happy to help if I can. Ta for now!
I hit send, then set my phone aside. It’s been two hours since Jordan posted. He probably already got an answer.
Looking out the window, I admire the bright moon high in the sky. If Sophie were here, she’d drag me outside to go look at it. Maybe I should go anyway, just to get some fresh air.
My phone buzzes with an incoming message, and I smile when I see Jordan’s name.
Jordan: Hey, thanks. I’m glad I asked. A few people warned me about it, so I set it outside.
I set all of them outside, actually, until I can research more.
I’ll give the white one to a neighbor. It’s probably a good thing, anyway, as I don’t really have room for any more plants. Ha. Tell me again why I adopted them?
I grin as I reply back. You sound like me. Adopting all the leafy strays. But who can resist all the pretties, amiright?
Jordan replies: And naming them as we go.
I belt out a laugh. Ha! Yep. Samesies! Beautiful cat, by the way. I’m a sucker for the long-haired ones.
I attach a picture of my girl, in all her long-hair tuxedo glory.
Jordan replies: Aww, what a cutie. What’s their name?
Me: Lily. And don’t be fooled. She only looks that pretty when she wants food. Usually she ignores me.
Jordan: LOL, sounds about right. Clematis acts like I’ve betrayed her if I’m even five minutes late filling her bowl.
Me: Right? God, they’re so needy.
Jordan: But worth it.
Me: Absolutely worth it. How old is your kitty?
Jordan: Six years. Yours?
Me: Nine. Starting to show it too. She’s jumping less and less—which isn’t a bad thing. But I have to give her glucosamine gel every morning now.
Jordan: Ah, poor baby.
Me: Hopefully she’ll be around for a while. She’s my little travel buddy.
Jordan: Travel buddy?
Me: I’m a travel nurse, so I bounce between cities every six to nine months. Lily travels and stays in the hotels with me.
Jordan sends a shocked emoji before adding: For real? She travels with you?
Me: LOL. yeah. I even have a harness to take her out on walks. She loves it.
Jordan: Wait, now I’m curious. How does the litter box work in a hotel room?
Me: It’s not that hard. I travel with an enclosed box, and it stays in the bathroom if possible. She’s not that messy, thankfully, but still… you know cats. It’s definitely not a glamorous thing. Price of companionship, I guess.
Jordan: She doesn’t try to leave the room when room service comes in?
Me: No, she’s trained not to without the harness.
Jordan: Damn. My mind is blown. How do you train a cat? I thought they trained us?
Me: LOL
Jordan: No, seriously. You should go in Guinness Book of World Records or something. And, please, don’t tell Clematis about all this. She’ll think I’m abusing her by not taking her anywhere.
I belt out a laugh before looking around to see if anyone noticed.
Nope, still empty.
Me: Pretty name, btw.
Jordan: Thanks. I found her as a kitten under some clematises. She’s missing one of her back legs… from a dog attack, I think.
Me: Aww. Poor thing.
Jordan: Believe me, it hasn’t slowed her down.
Me: LOL, that’s good.
I notice Ruth’s meal and realize I need to get it upstairs before it gets cold.
Me: Got to go. Nice chatting, though. Hope your girl stays safe!
Jordan: Yeah, man. You too.
Our conversation plays like a broken record all the way back to the elevator, and I catch myself smiling. Finally, someone to talk to.
I enter Ruth’s room with a smile. “Look what I got—Oh.”
Ruth is asleep.
I can’t help it. I laugh silently.
Three more hours, Miles. Three more hours until I can go home, strip out of my clothes, and watch another episode of Nailed it!, my current binge obsession.
Maybe I can talk to Jordan too, if he’s awake.
Oh, what an exciting life I lead. My most thrilling adventure is talking to some random guy on the internet.
Yay me.