“No.” Odette shakes her head. “She just loves to hide, is all. She’s probably under the couch. That’s her favorite spot. She waits for me to walk by, then scratches at my ankles.”
“I was wondering what those marks were from.”
“And you never thought to ask?” She laughs. “Well, come in. You don’t have to stand in the door all night.”
In the time I’ve known Odette, I’ve been to her apartment once before and never made it farther than I have now.
So when I take a step, then another, they’re heavy, and it feels like it has everything to do with my conversation with Ezra.
I push it out of my mind as I follow Odette into her apartment, closer to the heavenly smell wafting from her kitchen. She stops at the large pot, then stirs whatever’s inside before nodding toward the bag I’ve set on the counter.
“Whatcha got there?”
“Stuff,” I tease, opening the paper bag, loving the excitement that sparks in her eyes. She’s like a little kid at their birthday party, one eye on the presents table at all times.
I pull out the garlic, and she grins.
“You’re a lifesaver. I need that for the bread.”
“You’re making garlic bread?” My mouth waters at that thought. “I fucking love garlic bread.”
“Then you’re in luck, because I make the best around. Learned the recipe from my nonna.”
“With all due respect, I’m a little hard, and it only sort of has to do with your nonna, but it’s completely because of her cooking. I swear.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” She rolls her eyes with a laugh. “What else is in there?”
I fish my hand back into the bag, then pull out the wine.
“Ugh. I could kiss you.”
I close my eyes and pucker my lips, but instead of Odette, I feel Pork pressed against them, and he proceeds to lick me.
“What the ...” I wipe my mouth. “Not cool.”
“What?” She shrugs. “I said Icouldkiss you, not that I was going to. Anything else?” She pushes to the balls of her feet, trying to peer into the bag.
I pull out the cider next, and she boos.
“Watch it. I worked hard to brew that cider.”
“Yeah, yeah, and we’re all so impressed, which is why nearly every business in Port Harbor and within a fifty-mile radius sells it, including the coffee shops. Weird you bought it and didn’t just grab it from the cidery, by the way.”
“What can I say? I’m our biggest cheerleader.”
She ignores that. “What else, what else?”
She’s practically bouncing now. Ever since I left that cupcake on her car, it’s sort of become our thing for me to bring her treats, so I know she’s expecting one now.
Finally, I reveal the peanut butter M&M’s cookies, and she squeals. She thrusts Pork into the air, running around the kitchen island like she’s doing a victory lap. It’s so damn ridiculous and adorable, and I can’t seem to wipe the silly grin off my face as I watch her.
I catch her on the next lap, tugging her against me and kissing her long and hard until Pork is wiggling between us, trying to get free.
“Well, I’m certainly going to let you buy me cookies more often if it means I get kissed like that.” She clears her throat, then steps back,thrusting the cat my way. “Okay, you take Pork. Sit on the couch with him and Beans will come out swinging—literally. I’m going to finish up in here and get the garlic bread in the oven. Then we can eat. I can’t have you in here because I’m about two seconds away from ripping my shirt over my head and throwing myself at you like some sex-crazed lunatic.”
“And if I don’t take the cat?”
“Noah ...” She groans, and I laugh, taking the kitten anyway.
