“Her name’s Muse, and she’s not technically mine.” Michelle’s lips pursed. “She was Kelly’s cat. She adored Kelly. She ... tolerates me.”
“Your ex-wife left her cat here with you when she moved out?” Audrey had already disliked the woman, but after seeing Michelle’s insecurity during sex and learning Kelly had abandoned her cat, “dislike” might’ve been too mild a word.
“Not here,” Michelle said. “I bought this house after the divorce, but yes, Kelly left us both, and I think Muse hates me for it.”
“Poor Muse. Why didn’t Kelly take her cat?”
Michelle shrugged, looking lost. “She said she needed a fresh start and that if I didn’t want Muse, I should take her to the shelter.”
“That’s so sad, and I hope it’s not overstepping for me to say it sounds like Kelly was extremely toxic. I hate that she made you doubt yourself and abandoned her cat.”
“I, well ...” Michelle looked away abruptly. “You might be right, but I don’t want to talk about my marriage right now.”
“Fair enough,” Audrey said. “How did Muse get her name? Is it art related?”
“In a way. When we were younger, Kelly used to say she was my muse. For the longest time, she held on to the hope that my love of art meant I would become an artist myself. Needless to say, she was quite disappointed when she realized I’m merely a historian.”
“Merely a historian.” Audrey scoffed. “First of all, historians are amazing, but also, you’re so much more than that. This sounds like another Kelly problem, if she wanted you to be something you aren’t.”
Michelle’s cheeks went slightly pink. “Well, she’s gone now, and I’m stuck with this unfortunately named cat who hates me.”
The whole situation made Audrey unspeakably sad. She hadn’t seen any evidence that Michelle’s cat didn’t like her, though.
“At any rate,” Michelle continued, picking up her teacup. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship either. In fact, as I told you before, I was content to remain single indefinitely.”
“Youwereor youare?”
Michelle’s gaze settled on Audrey’s. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Until you came into my life, I was content on my own, but now ... I haven’t been content since you first kissed me. Even before that, if I’m being honest.”
“Wow.” Audrey hadn’t known Michelle felt so strongly, and now the knowledge had lodged itself in her chest, dangerously close to her heart.
“Quite simply, you’re the best part of my day,” Michelle murmured, and the way she said it felt more intimate than a declaration of love.
Audrey’s eyes were damp, and her heart was a runaway train in her chest. “That’s so freaking romantic. Oh my god, Michelle.”
“It’s true.”
“So let’s do this, then, but maybe we should wait on the HR paperwork until I find out what’s happening with my job. Can we keep things discreet—and casual—to start?”
Michelle looked down at her hands. “Casual is fine as long as you aren’t sleeping with anyone else, because nonexclusive relationships just aren’t for me. I’m sorry if that’s a deal-breaker for you.”
On the contrary, Michelle seemed to know what she wanted and needed in a relationship, and that was hot as hell as far as Audrey was concerned. It was a refreshing change from the people she’d dated in the past.
She cupped Michelle’s jaw, surprised by the vulnerability she saw on that beautiful face. “I can’t imagine even looking at anyone else while I’m with you, let alone sleeping with them. I’m the exclusive type too. No worries there.”
“Good, because I’m monogamous to my bones.” Michelle leaned in so her forehead rested against Audrey’s. Her breath puffed warm and damp against Audrey’s mouth. The gesture was so tender—so intimate—Audrey’s heart quivered inside her chest.
She was kidding herself to think she wouldn’t be head over heels for this woman in no time. Michelle Thompson had always been her dream woman, and so far, at least, the reality of her was even more wonderful than the fantasy. “Michelle ...”
“Mm?” Michelle settled closer against her, their lips brushing together.
“I’m awfully glad you came to observe my class today.”
Michelle smiled against Audrey’s lips. “So am I. What do you say I make us some dinner and you spend the night?”
“I’d say . . . yes.”
Michelle woke to the feel of a warm body pressed against hers, something she hadn’t felt in so long, she’d almost forgotten how much she enjoyed it. In the final years of their marriage, she and Kelly had been strangers sharing a bed. There had been no cuddling and very little sex. Nothing like this.
