Page 27 of Make Me Yours

The last thing I want to do is interrupt.

I just want to soak in the sight for a few minutes.

But then she spins around and her gaze catches mine. A tiny squeak of surprise slips from her as she tugs one of the earbuds from her ear.

“Oh my God, Steele!” She laughs. “You scared me.”

I lift a brow and nod toward the apron around her waist. “You’re making a mess of my kitchen.”

She grins, completely unrepentant. “Kitchens are supposed to be messy.”

“Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm.” Her gaze drops to my arms, and she does a double take. “Wait. What is that?”

I hold up the tiny gray kitten, who meows. “This?” I say casually. “This is a kitten.”

Lilah blinks before moving closer. “Is it a he or she?”

“She,” I say, running a gentle hand down the kitten’s tiny back, careful not to spook her. “She came from one of the staff members at the arena. Their cat had kittens, and they were looking for homes.”

Lilah blinks up at me in confusion. “So why do you have one?”

I smile, brushing a fingertip behind the kitten’s ear. “Because I know how much you’ve always wanted a pet.”

Her mouth parts, the words slow to come. “My parents… and then Devon were allergic,” she says quietly, like it’s a confession.

A realization.

“Right,” I murmur. “So now you can have one.”

Her gaze drops to the tiny bundle of fur. “But do you want a kitten?” she asks, her voice soft, almost unsure. “What happens when I move out? What if I can’t keep her wherever I end up?”

I don’t look away. “Then I’ll keep her. No questions asked. It gets a little lonely around here sometimes.”

A silent war plays out across her face. Joy, surprise, gratitude, and something deeper. Something that looks an awful lot like heartbreak.

She lifts the kitten into her arms, cradling the tiny body against her chest, pressing her cheek to the small, purring head.

“I can’t believe you did this,” she whispers, her tone thick with emotion.

I step closer. “I knew it would make you happy. That’s all I want.”

The smile she graces me with is full and wide. It’s the kind that takes me apart and stitches me back together in the same heartbeat.

“Thank you.”

Drawn to her, I brush my fingers against her flour-covered cheek. “Anytime, lucky charm.”

My heart expands. Ever since I met this girl in college, all I’ve ever wanted to do is make her happy.

After dinner, Lilah settles on the couch with the kitten.

Once the kitchen is cleaned, I drop onto the cushion beside her and turn sideways so I can watch the two of them. Lilah’s bare feet are tucked beneath her, and she’s stroking the kitten’s fur.

“You’re good with her,” I say after a long beat of comfortable silence.

She glances up at me with a smile. “She’s perfect. Thanks again for bringing her home.”