Page 56 of Starrily

Theia’s toys and food, packed around the pink scratcher he’d seen in the corner of Calliope’s living room.

“Excuse me,” he said.

The woman glanced up, confused for a second, before the light of recognition hit her eyes. “You!”

“Do we know each other?” Wait—she was the woman in Calliope’s graduation photo.

“I’m Av—uh.” She put the box down and extended a hand. “Ava. Callie’s friend. And you’re Simon.”

“Ava. She’s mentioned you.”

“She did?”

“She said Theia doesn’t like you.”

“What else is new,” Ava muttered. “The little monstrosity has been in my apartment for two hours, and so far, she’s scratched the couch, the legs of my dining table, and overturned two potted plants. She’s a menace.” She kept her tone light enough Simon knew she didn’t hate the cat. “I came back to get some of her stuff. Maybe that will make her behave better. Thank god it’s only for two days.”

“You’re taking care of Theia while Calliope is gone?”

“Yup. Oh, yeah—if you needed her for something, she’s gone. Wait.” Ava scrunched her nose. “You already know. Sorry, brain fart.”

“No problem. I didn’t need her, anyway. Just wanted to leave this in front of her door.” He waved with the box.

“I hope that’s not chocolates.”

“She doesn’t like chocolate?”

“She loves it. Who doesn’t? But she doesn’t like it as a gift.”

“Good thing it’s not chocolates, then.” He smiled.

“Now you have to tell me. What did you get her?”

“It’s not like that.” The last thing he needed was Calliope’s friend trying to matchmake. “I lost her a scarf once. I brought her another.”

“You—ah. Ohh.”

Simon lifted an eyebrow. “You’re almost at the full alphabet there.”

She waved her hand. “Never mind me. Do you know which one is her apartment?”

“I’ve been there before.”

Her eyes widened. “She let you in?”

“It’s not Fort Knox,” he said with a bit of a chuckle. Ava didn’t seem convinced. “Anyway, nice meeting you,” he continued. “Do you need help with the box?”

“I’ve got it. My car is right there.” She picked up the box, and they maneuvered around the door.

“Simon,” she said just before he closed the door. “May I call you Simon?”

“Sure.”

She put down the box again and approached. “Callie has some issues regarding her relationships. I’m not sure what exactly they are, but she’s … scared. To connect.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s had boyfriends over the years, but she always calls it off before it gets too serious.”