Chapter Thirty
Chloe opened the doorto let Devon and Hailey in. “Hi, guys.”
Hailey bounced on her toes. “I wanna meet your cat! Can I please?”
Chloe squatted and smiled at Hailey. “Of course, sweetie. He’s probably hiding under the couch, but if we sit still for a few minutes, he’ll come out.”
“Okay!”
Devon hugged Chloe and kissed her on the forehead before he sat with Hailey on the couch. “How was your day?”
She sat in the armchair. “Typical. There weren’t any unusual calls.”
“Small town life.”
Hailey gasped. “Oh! There he is.”
She whispered it, and Chloe turned her head to see Tugger peeking out from under the edge of the couch. “Be still, and he’ll come check you out.”
“He’s very sweet,” Devon said.
Hailey’s eyes were wide as she tried her best not to move. “I want to pet him.”
“Soon, Hailey. Just give him a minute to be comfortable with you.”
Devon winked at Chloe, and she smiled in return. Tugger was the only thing Hailey had talked about since he said they could go over and meet him before the movie.
Tugger jumped up on the back of the couch and sniffed at Hailey’s head. “It tickles!”
Tugger backed up at her outburst, but he didn't get down. He stretched his neck out and sniffed her head once more, then pushed his nose into her hair. She giggled, and he jumped down to the seat cushion to crawl onto her leg.
“There you are, sweetie kitty.” Hailey stroked Tugger, laughing when he arched his back.
“He likes you,” Chloe said.
“I know,” Hailey responded, not taking her eyes off the cat as he bumped against her hand.
It took plenty of convincing and promises to come back to see the cat after the movie to get Hailey to agree to leave. They had an enjoyable night and returned the next evening to pick Chloe up and drive together to the Hemsworth household for Sunday dinner.
They were greeted just as warmly as the last time, causing Devon to feel completely relaxed around Chloe’s parents. Chloe took Hailey to the backyard to play for a bit, and Devon opted to stay in the kitchen with Rebecca.
“Devon, I want you to know how much we adore Hailey,” she said from her position at the stove.
Devon stood near the sink and offered her a smile. “I can tell.”
“You’re all right too, I guess.” She shot him a wink, and he chuckled.
