“The spicy black one that no one wants.”
I let out a snort of laughter that I hide with a cough.
It earns me a death glare.
“Oh!” one of the volunteers exclaims excitedly. “You’re the one who just got approved for Milton. Hold on, let me grab him for you.”
And then she’s bringing out the black kitten that, not fifteen minutes ago, was trying desperately to get away from me. When it’s handed over to the girl, not only does it not try to escape, but it sits regally in her hands, staring at her for a half-second before finally lying flat against her chest and closing its eyes with a purr.
ThenI’mthe one sending a glare.
“He’s perfect,” the girl says with the tiniest hint of a smile. “I’m assuming there’s paperwork?”
The cat is still curled up in her arms when we exit the room to leave them to their adoption process.
“I guess some pets really do resemble their owners,” I muse as I hold the door open for Scarlett.
“You’re just mad it didn’t like you,” she says with an adorable giggle.
“You’re damn right I am,” I murmur. “I thought all animals liked me.”
“Maybe it’s just dogs,” she comments as a German shepherd rushes up to us. “Did you only have dogs growing up?”
I nod as I pet the fluffy pup. “Yeah, we were a dog household. We always had one in the house when we were kids, and thenonce I moved out, I started fostering. I work with their sister organization in Philly.” I send her a hesitant glance. “That’s why I mentioned it last week. I swear I wasn’t stalking you.”
Thank God, she sends me a sweet smile. “I know. I was never worried about that.” Then, to herself, she muses, “Maybe I should be.”
“Go out with me.” It escapes me in a rush. Holding it back is basically impossible after that.
Except, the shocked and fearful look she turns to me with makes me wish I’d tried a little bit harder.
“What?”
I swallow and decide to keep going. “Go out with me. Please.”
I try not to be offended by the disbelief on her face. “And…do what?” she asks.
I almost laugh. “Whatever we want. It’s just a date. We could grab some food, or see a movie, or?—”
“Justa date?”
Her sudden intensity makes me frown. “Uh, yeah. It’s not like we haven’t done them before, this time would just mean?—”
“That you’re not paying me.”
My eyes widen. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
She sighs. “Sorry, but it’s true. That would be the only difference.”
My head is spinning.Technically, that’s true, but?—
“I can’t, Nico,” she says simply. But she doesn’t say it like a rejection. She sounds almost…sad.
“Okay,” I say slowly. “Can I ask why? Because if you honestly think I’m just trying to get out of paying you, then I’ve done a piss-poor job of showing you who I am.”
“But that’s just it,” she says. “Idon’tknow who you are. I mean—” She lets out a humorless laugh. “We’ve seen each other a few times. I have no idea who you are. And you want meto trust you with thousands of dollars? One free date is twothousanddollars, Nico.”
I open my mouth, then close it right away. I never thought of it like that.
