“Some of us are relentless; my man can be a marshmallow.”
“He’s nice, Newman.”
“He is the best thing that ever happened in my life.” Hope’s words were soft and dreamy now, and Lani was not jealous that she’d likely never have that. Well, at least not for a few years, anyway.
“I need a shower, so I’ll pass on the baby gathering, thanks, Hope.”
“So I really can’t convince you?”
“No, but thanks for trying.”
After Hope had dropped her off, she grabbed her things out of the Bronco. It was on the second trip that she saw the cat sitting with Buddy.
“You can’t be serious?” The dog wuffled. “Surely she has a home somewhere?” He didn’t answer. “I don’t have cat food, and besides, she could just be playing you, Buddy.” The dog whined.
The vet had said the cat, a she, was malnourished and likely a stray. He’d kindly fixed it up; however, now its ear was bent over at the top.
“You’re both going to break me,” she muttered, leaving the door open so they could follow her inside. “Big animals eat a lot.”
She showered, then went to the grocery store to buy cat food. After feeding the animals, she fed herself, locked the doors downstairs, and hid in her room. Buddy and the cat curled up on the bottom of her bed.
“I’m not keeping either of you, so get your heads around that fact.”
The cat stretched, then got to its feet and climbed into Lani’s lap.
“Seriously, I’m not.”
She fell asleep with Buddy on her feet and the cat on her chest.
Chapter Twenty
“Any chance of a coffee!” Noah banged his fist on the counter of the Hoot, but no one came out to serve him. The place was just about to close, so it was empty, but still, he was a customer, and he wanted a coffee and a wedge of that lemon cake with the thick icing. He couldn’t be sure but thought maybe it was cream cheese and lemon. His mouth watered.
“Buster!”
Nothing. He got the cake out himself and took a large bite. Definitely cream cheese. Wandering around the counter, he made for the kitchen. The idiot probably had his headphones on again while he prepped food for tomorrow.
“So I just passed a guy with a bag full of money, think he may have robbed you—.” He walked into the kitchen and stopped. Connor was there, standing really close to Lani while they looked in a bowl. They hadn’t heard him because the music was turned up.
“Where is Buster?” he said far too loudly. She turned, and the surprise in her eyes quickly cooled.
It had been four days since he’d made love to her. Four days of thinking about the feel of her body pressed to his, and the taste of her lips. Four days to acknowledge that yet again he’d behaved like a coldhearted idiot when he’d spoken to her. He’d said the truth about commitment, but he could have put it in better terms.
“He just went to get more supplies, should be back anytime,” Connor said. “You want a coffee, Noah?”
“I do.” He tried to lighten up and battle past the ball of jealous rage that had formed in his stomach seeing Lani close to another man.
“I can leave, Connor, if you’re busy.”
“No, you stay, Lani, it’s only Noah. Besides, the cake’s ready to bake, then you have to decorate.”
Connor rested his hand on Lani’s arm, and Noah had to dig his toes into his sneakers to keep from ripping it from his body.
This was not good… not good at all.
“You go on and make the frosting and choose your colors. Buster will be back soon. You want a hot chocolate, Lani?”
She shot Noah a look before nodding to Connor. “Please.”
