She chews her lip. “She’s a really good person. Be patient with her.”
“I’m grateful for anything you can tell me about her,” I say quietly. “What do I do to win her over?”
When Maeve looks at me again, there’s a wistfulness in her eyes. “I’m not sure,” she says. “You’ll have to figure that out yourself. She’s kind to everyone but doesn’t trust easily. And she’sbrilliant.I don’t know what you do, but she’s easily the smartest person in the room at all times. What do you do?”
“I’m a video game developer,” I answer, and that catches her off guard.
“Oh! Okay, well that’s cool. I was worried you were a finance guy or something. Yeah, that’s really freaking cool—but she’s still smarter than you. And better.”
I laugh. “I know. I’m well aware. I figured that out already.”
“What I’m saying is, be good to her. Even if she just wants to be your friend, be grateful she’s in your life.” Ash squirms in her arms, trying to reach out for me.
“I will. I swear I will,” I promise her.
“If you don’t, I’ll fill your engine with cat pee and blow up your car,” she says cheerfully.
“…oh. Okay.”
“Great! So, are you a cat dad now?”
“…I guess I am,” I say slowly, studying the unhinged Omega in front of me.
Even if she’s a little odd, Maeve is fiercely protective of her friend, and I can’t do anything but respect her for it.
“Great. I’ll prepare the paperwork, and then we can go over some cat care essentials, and I’ll send you home with an adoption kit.”
I look past the glass door and to the reception area. “Is Blair still here?”
“She went home early today,” Maeve says sympathetically. “Sorry, Ryland.”
I try not to let the disappointment show on my face.
I may not be able to say goodbye to my scent match, but at least I’m able to give a charming cat a new home.
Ash isquiet on the drive back to the packhouse, which surprises me. Maeve and Piper warned me that most cats aretemperamental in a moving vehicle, but he’s all purrs in his carrier by the time I arrive at the packhouse.
Rowan is working from home today, and Travis’s car is in the driveway.
I’m not sure exactly what to tell either of them yet, but my brother is in our shared office, staring intently at the middle monitor on his desk when I enter.
“Hey—oh, shit, what’s that?” He leaps from his chair when I place the carrier on the ground and unlatch the door. “Is that acat?” He crouches on the floor with me, his excitement palpable.
Ash makes his grand appearance, trotting out of the carrier and into the middle of the room, looking around inquisitively.
“Holy shit,” Rowan mutters. “You really got a cat.”
“I was tired of us just talking about it,” I say as Ash finds his way back to me and nuzzles my hand. Rowan stretches out his own, and I’m pleased when Ash makes his way over to him and rubs against his hand, too.
“Travis is going to be pissed.”
“Nah. He’s a big softie. He’ll live.”
“What’s his name?” Rowan murmurs as the cat soaks up his attention.
“Ash.”
“Hmm.” A rare, small smile forms on my brother’s face, and I know I made the right decision bringing Ash into our packhouse.
