Piper nods. “I’ve given up trying to figure out who they’re from. Whoever is making them is so talented—I mean, the detail is insane. But there’s no return addresses on the box.”
It’s been a whole year now of receiving these, and every time they come in, I’m amazed at how lovely they are.
“There’s a blanket for every kennel, now,” Maeve adds. “It’s so sweet. Every cat gets one to cuddle in.”
I glance at the kitten playroom and see a couple of familiar faces pressed against the glass.
Rufus, with his smooshed white face, stares intently at me with yellow eyes. Coral, a sweet little ginger girl, stands like him, her amber eyes wide with excitement.
“I missed it here,” I sigh.
“Okay, but how was it?” Maeve asks as I head to the empty desk chair. She follows me, leaning against the counter. “Was it amazing?”
I smile. “Yes, Maeve.”
“What did they feed you? Did they buy you presents? What did you do?”
“What do youthinkthey did, Maeve?” Piper asks. “Play board games all day?”
“Actually, we played a considerable amount of video games when I wasn’t…uh…occupied,” I murmur.
“Really?” Piper asks gently. “They got you into gaming again?”
I shrug and turn to her. “A little bit.”
She smiles softly. “Good.”
“Okay, but what about the blankets?” Maeve continues. “And your nest? And did they do your laundry for you? What did they cook you?”
“Maeve, I swear to god, if you keep asking me questions?—”
“I’ve been waiting for this since I’ve known you!” Maeve argues. “You look the happiest I’ve ever seen you, so forgive me if I want to know all the details!”
Alvin hops onto my keyboard, entering a jumble of different letters into the web browser. I gently pluck him off. “Really?” I ask. “I look happy?”
“You’re glowing,” Maeve beams. “Even when you’re not smiling, it’s like you’re smiling anyway, you know?”
As if the wall behind my eyes is finally down, like Rowan said.
“Blair!” Mari’s voice sounds from behind me. “You’re back!”
I stand and she pulls me into a hug, and I brace for the onslaught of questions she’s about to ask me. Instead, she whispers in my ear, “Maeve has a suitor.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Huh?”
“The new vet tech at the clinic. He likes her.”
“I didn’t realize I missed so much being away,” I mutter. Maeve has started chatting with Piper, and Mari motions for me to walk away from the desk and into the stockroom.
“Let me see you,” she says once we’re out of sight of my friends. She takes my hands and smiles. “Honey, you look so happy.”
And maybe because I’m still a little loopy from my Heat, I smile back.
“Iamhappy. I really am, Mari.”
“Well, good. Now I don’t have to worry about finding you a pack.” She sighs and presses a hand to her heart. “Now, we worry about Maeve.”
“Mari,” I chuckle. “You don’t need to play matchmaker. Maeve is happy with or without Alphas.”
