Page 18 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)

LAUREN

“Okay. I have to tell you guys something.” I crack my front door open just enough to see my four best friends standing outside waiting to be let in. There’s a mix of terror and confusion on all of their faces.

“Something you can’t tell us in the warmth of your home? Possibly with a drink in my hand?” Leah shifts on her feet, fighting the cool night air.

“I just know you’re going to have a lot of questions and I wanted to get it out there first thing.”

“Mhm. Yeah, sure. Hurry the hell up, I can't feel my toes.” Taylor nods her head, urging me to get on with it.

“I got a cat.” They all stop moving and almost comically all look at me with the same expression. “Say something.”

More silence.

“Open the damn door.” Ruby shakes her head, pointing behind me. “I gotta see this baby.” I open the door further, exposing a snuggled-up Ginny in my arms.

“Oh my gosh!” Shane whispers, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Stop it right now.” Taylor drops all of her things inside the door and pulls her out of my arms. “Hey, little sweetie. What’s your name?”

“Ginny,” I answer, shutting the door and crossing my arms over my chest.

“So you got her during a Ginny & Georgia re-watch,” Leah states.

“Duh. But it still suits her.” I shrug, petting Ginny between her ears.

“You—start the margs, you—start explaining.” Ruby points to Shane first then at me, plopping down on the couch next to Taylor who is trying to suffocate Ginny with her affection.

“You remember when I was leaving on New Year’s Eve and asked if you got a new pet?”

“ Yes .” Ruby’s eyes widen. “You took my porch cat?” I snort and grab a blanket from the back of the couch and wrap it around myself before joining them.

“You didn’t even know she existed. Stop acting like I stole Maverick.” She giggles and we all start giving Ginny the attention she demands.

“So what made you decide to take a stray cat home?” Leah asks, clearly suspicious. I could tell them it was because I was feeling lonely and sad that I was the only one without someone to ring in the new year with, but instead, I do what I do best. I lie.

“Didn’t like any of the things my parents got me for Christmas, so I got Ginny for myself.” The room falls quiet for a moment like it often does when the topic of my parents comes up. Then Ruby lets out a laugh that scares Ginny, causing her to run into my lap.

“Oh my god, your parents are the worst! What did they get you this time?” she groans.

“A set of porcelain ballerinas and a dress my grandma wouldn’t even wear.”

“I’m going to light their Christmas tree on fire next year,” Ruby deadpans. I pick up Ginny and snuggle her under the blanket with me, feeling her purr against my legs.

“Or break in and steal the fuses for the lights,” Leah says excitedly.

“Or take all the little forks and spoons so all they have left are the big ones,” Taylor adds. I roll my eyes and laugh at all of their attempts to make me feel better.

“Someone change the subject, please,” I beg. Taylor picks Ginny up again and snuggles her to her face.

“Tucker is one hundred percent going to try and steal this cat.”

“Then we just won’t tell him about her,” I tease, scratching her under her chin as we all burst into laughter.

“I do not understand why that man will not get a pet. He already tries to steal Maverick every time he sees him,” Ruby laughs.

“Which is basically every day. He must be exhausted in his attempt to steal everyone else’s animals,” Shane adds, bringing the tray of margaritas and glasses to the coffee table.

“I don’t get it either! I have told him a million times to just pick one and he keeps saying no. He’s a mystery, that man of mine.” Taylor takes a sip of her margarita on a shrug.

“I honestly love that you have a cat. She’s adorable,” Ruby says as the other girls are wrapped up in conversation about something Sawyer did for Leah—I think. I zoned out thirty minutes ago.

“I know. I kind of love her.” Ginny rubs her nose against Ruby’s fingers. “And she’s clearly a fabulous judge of character.” I smirk.

“ Right?! I was just thinking the same thing!” Ruby and I laugh together, snuggling deeper into the couch.

Sitting at my desk I refresh my emails for about the twentieth time, and like every time before, nothing new appears.

Our morning meeting ended an hour ago and I’ve already managed to update my online marketing campaign, send current equity fliers to my old clients, and return all the messages that were left for me on Sunday.

Fitz has been gone for a month and I loathe myself for even mentally admitting this, but I’m freaking bored without him here making my life a living hell.

I didn’t realize how boring this job is when someone isn’t challenging me at every turn.

It’s been a full month of no one emailing me about absurd scenarios and how to fix them, new marketing ideas, no one questioning the amount of showings I have scheduled for the week, and no one making my heart race—purely out of anger, of course.

“Trying to see if your ass print will mold to the chair if you sit there long enough?”

Fuck you, heart, for leaping at the sound of his voice .

I look up and see Fitz with a brow raised in my direction, leaning against the doorframe to my office.

“Why? Gonna try to steal my chair if it does?” The smallest hint of a smirk plays at his lips and I can feel one of my own trying to surface.

“So, what? I leave for one month and you lose all momentum to stay at the top? Come on, Sweetheart. I trained you better than that, didn’t I?” He gives me a condescending wink and my will to smirk is quickly replaced by an annoyed eye roll.

“Careful, Mr. Fitzgerald , you’ll fall off that high horse of yours.

” I snatch my folder from my desk, conveniently it’s time for me to leave for my showings today, and stop right in front of where he’s blocking my exit.

“You and I both know I was already what this company needed before you ever got here. I think you just enjoy my company. It’s…

decent …don’t you think?” I pick a piece of fuzz from his suit, flicking it away with a mask of indifference as his jaw suddenly flexes.

“Decent, indeed,” he says through bared teeth.

He stands up straight, towering over me as he does, and looks behind me.

Then he hums to himself and silently walks away.

I frown, looking back to see what he was looking at, and my mouth pops open when I notice a perfect ass print slowly losing its shape in my chair.

Stupid memory foam chair.

As soon as I’m left alone again I notice the way my heart is thumping and my cheeks feel warm and I let out a groan.

“Seriously, Lauren? No .” I scold myself as I head to Brüman’s for my morning coffee.