“I won’t,” I tell her, hating myself for lying. “But don’t make me pinkie swear.”
“So you quit your position?”
“I did. After everything went down with Christian, I couldn’t stay there on campus with him. I decided I needed a clean break. So, I quit. I’ve been taking the spring semester as a kind of unofficial sabbatical.”
“You don’t have a new position lined up?”
“Nope.” I try to shrug it off, but we both know that for me, this is big. And telling. I plan everything, and I’m generally more organized than Marie Kondo. It’s how I deal with trauma. “I’m still finding my way, figuring out where I want to be. The time off has been really good for me. And it also means that I’m free to watch Cid while you enjoy your honeymoon.”
“I don’t know,” Luna hedges. “You have enough going on without having to step in as a kitty mom.”
“I have nothing going on, which is why I’m the perfect standby cat mom. It’ll give me practice for when I get a kitty of my own.”
The thought has infinite appeal. An adorable face looking at me every morning, a furry companion curled up in my lap? Unconditional love? Sign me up.
“You’re getting a cat?”
“I love cats, and Christian didn’t like them.” In fact, he had made it clear that I wasn’t welcome to bring any animals into our house. I had chalked it up to his inner neat freak, but now I’m pretty sure it was a red flag I overlooked.
“More proof that he sucks.” Luna nods.
“As if we needed more.”
“You’re so right.” She wrinkles her nose. “Harlow.”
Then she makes a fake gagging sound. I grin, so glad I have Luna in my life.
I’d be lost without her. She’s the only family I have left. Yes, I have a handful of cousins scattered over the country, some aunts and uncles on both sides. But I’ve never been close to any of them.
“Why couldn’t her name have been Susan?” I ask, grateful for the chance to make light of a situation that pulverized my heart. “Or Bethany?”
“Even a Nancy would have been better.”
We’re both laughing now. Coming to St. Thomas has done me a world of good. Yes, it caused problems that will not be thought about in case Luna’s bestie Spidey-senses start tingling. But it also reconnected me with my best friend. It’s been so good to hang out together, to laugh and reminisce like the old days in grad school, which feel like they were a lifetime away. Distance from Christian, sunshine, sand, gorgeous waters, amazing people and food, and spectacular orgasms didn’t hurt either.
“You’re serious about looking after Cid for me?” Luna asks.
I don’t hesitate. “Completely. Just tell me where I need to be, when I need to be there, and what I need to do. It’ll be done.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” She throws her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “I know I say it all the time, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Same.” I hug her back.
She pulls away, searching my face. “You’re completely sure? Like 110%? I really feel like I’m taking advantage.”
“Not at all. Let me do this for you. It would make me happy.”
“Okay. You’ve got yourself a deal.” She releases me. “But I’ll be paying for your time, the same way I would for any cat sitter. And I’ll cover all your expenses, from travel to food.”
“I don’t expect you to do that, Luna,” I protest.
“I know you don’t. But I won’t take no for an answer.” She waves a hand in the air. “I’ll talk to Saint. He’s going to be handling the business while Priest and I are on our honeymoon. I’ll make sure he gets you set up at the penthouse with everything you need.”
My stomach flips.
The last thing I want is to have to deal with Alessio any more than I already have. I was planning to board my flight and never see him again. And now, Luna wants to throw me back into his orbit like a rabbit tossed into a lion enclosure.
I clear my throat, striving for a nonchalant tone. “That’s really not necessary. Just text me the details, and I’ll figure it all out when my plane lands.”
