Page 89 of Swept Away

“I have every reason to be,” I say, no longer as mad at them as he thinks I am.

Reaching inside a bowl, I pull out a treat for Gizmo, who doesn’t seem impressed.

He sniffs it for a few seconds before turning his head away.

That’s a stark no.

He’d rather sleep than be part of this.

Furtively, I glance at them. They’re dressed like they’re about to go out.

“Next time, you'd better talk to me first. I don’t like to be ambushed,” I say.

Mason crosses his arms over his broad chest.

“I don’t think there will be a next time.”

“As you say…” I mutter.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I believe everything you say.”

I roll my eyes.

“You’re coming with us,” Mason says, and something in his voice strikes me as strange.

It’s like he’s talking about different things.

“What are you talking about?”

He nods.

“Yes. Carter and I have a surprise for you. We didn’t know today would be your birthday, but it’s even better that it is.”

I look at Carter, whose eyes glint with knowledge I don’t have.

“I can’t go anywhere. I have Gizmo now. I don’t want to leave him alone.”

“You won’t. We’ll take him to Carter’s grandmother. She knows everything about him and can’t wait to see him.”

“He’s my cat.”

“He’ll always be your cat. She’ll just take care of him while you’re gone. Besides, he won’t sleep alone. She’s retired, has a lot of time on her hands, and adores cats. They’re her children.”

“And where are we going exactly?”

A soft smile curls his lips.

“We rented a cabin for the weekend and wanted it to be a surprise. It didn’t quite work, though, but I’m sure we can move past these moments.”

“What if I say no?”

He narrows his eyes at me, mischief glinting in his gaze.

He looks at me like someone who knows I slipped away–my talking back and misbehaving have clued him in–and can’t wait to put a spell on me again.

For now, he indulges me.