“I can’t offer much to fix that, but I can offer you good food, attention from three needy animals, and a warm place to stay if you need it.”
Snow squints up at me, watching me as if a question burns on her tongue, but nothing follows.
She just watches me and then, hesitantly, smiles. “Thank you. I feel like I’m taking advantage.”
“I wouldn’t offer if I weren’t serious,” I assure her.
“I should bring you dinner more often.”
“I certainly wouldn’t complain.” I smile at her and return to the stir-fry for the last few minutes.
Once finished, I plate it up and Rustle makes an appearance from somewhere in the apartment as soon as I tear open the plastic wrapper of the tortillas.
She leaps onto the counter with a loud meow and attacks my hands with her teeth and claws while trying to get to the wrapper.
“Rustle!”
She ignores me, flipping onto her back and drawing laughter from Snow as she watches while petting a very calm Willow.
Tiger, drawn by the commotion, wanders into the kitchen with a wide yawn.
After separating Rustle from my arm, I distract all three cats with some chicken near the bowls and place a steaming plate of food in front of Snow.
“Enjoy.”
She giggles as she picks up her fork. “Your cats are amazing.”
“I’m very lucky. They’re mostly independent, but I have my neighbor to thank for their adoration. They used to sneak across my balcony and into her apartment, and she fell in love, sonow they have two homes to terrorize. They treat here like a vacation.”
“That’s so sweet,” Snow murmurs around a mouthful of chicken and peppers. “So, it’s just you here?”
“Yes.”
“But this place is huge.”
“Well, you know what they say about men and big apartments.”
“Oh, really?” Snow gazes at me, her lids lowering. “What do they say about them?”
“Oh, you know.” I spear some chicken and lean against the counter, meeting her gaze. “They have really big… floor plans.”
“You’re an idiot.” She chuckles. “That’s so dumb.”
“If it makes you smile, it’s not dumb.”
The tip of Snow’s ear burns crimson once more and she focuses on her dinner for a moment, eating heartily.
It’s nice to see since she doesn’t seem to have been taking much care of herself.
“Is that… something you like to do?” Snow asks softly.
I glance back up at her, and there’s something different in the way she looks at me.
There’s a sparkle of curiosity but something else that stops me from looking away. “Is what?”
“Making me smile.”
This is a precious moment.
