“Well, yeah. It was. Yesterday and today.”
“And as for tomorrow, that’s why I came back. But first, what happened in here—?” I’m prepared to add a few teasing words about the mess at odds with her otherwise neat-as-a-prim-pin appearance when something on a shelf catches my eye. I tilt my head slowly, eyebrow cocked in question.
“Actually, Cat, what do we have here? What is aNOT Love List?” My lips curl with a smile.
Her eyes widen and she lunges for me.
21
CONNOR
Cat stumbles in her bunny slippers over shoes, clothes, and who knows what else littering her bedroom floor.
“Give that back.” She’s all terry cloth arms and legs as she pushes against me, trying to get the list.
“Not a chance, Shorty. Or should I call you Shortcake?” I ask, holding it out of her reach.
She pouts. “I thought it was Cat.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Hmm. Shortcat? Nah. It doesn’t have a ring to it. Shortcake right now. Cat later. But put your claws away.”
“Give back the list,” she demands.
I wave it around. “You mean thisNotLove List? Why should I?”
Arms crossed in front of her chest and the towel wrapped around her hair slightly askew, she’s so adorable I work hard not to crack a smile.
“That’s mine and it’s private. You’re not even supposed to be in here.”
“The first thing you learned about me is that I’m a rule breaker...and if I understand what I’m looking at, I’m not the only one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks with an indignant pout.
“It means someone, ahem, wrote a Not Love List and the subject is yours truly.”
“You have no way to prove that.”
“Let’s see. The first little heart-shaped bullet point saysHe’s scruffy.ThenTowers over me. AndHas big hands.” I make a show of tapping my chin. “Now, who could that be?”
I look at my hands, run one through my now not-so-scruffy hair and then step closer, so close I realize she must use lavender body wash.
Cat swallows thickly. “Yeah, well, it’s about Arthur.”
“Fitzgerald? Isn’t he married? A little old for you? Have some standards, Cat,” I tease. “It saysIs uncooperativeandvery stubborn. I’d argue Arthur Fitzgerald is the opposite. He does not fit the profile.”
“Just give it back, Connor.” She reaches for the paper and our limbs tangle as I make a fuss, playing “Keep away.” It’s like taking a bath in a field of lavender and sunshine and never has anything made me feel so good.
Then Cat stumbles over something and her arms windmill. She tips backward. I reach for her waist, attempting to stop her, but grab hold of the tie around her robe, drawing her toward me. Unfortunately, the momentum sends me backward. Not letting go of Cat’s robe, we both pitch toward the floor. I break her fall, providing her with a soft landing, but what feels like several of her shoes stab me in the backside. After pulling them loose, we’re face-to-face.
Cat’s chest rises and falls. Her eyes are dark, lids low. My breath is somewhere else entirely. All I can focus on is Cateline’sproximity. Her beauty. How I want her this close, not just to get some jollies today, but tomorrow and the day after that. No, not jollies. Joy.
My voice is gravely when I say, “The last item on your list.We’re incompatible (in every way!)I beg to differ, Cateline. It seems we’re quite compatible.”
She bites her lip. I wish I knew what is going through her mind. Her head lowers a measure. Our eyes dip together. Mine floats to her mouth. If there were ever a moment, this would be it.
“Just give me back the list.” She rolls off me and gets to her feet.
The bubble bursts as we both spot it lying innocently on the floor, partially spiked on a black high heel.
