Jax had texted, asking her to drop by the store after school.After finding out what was wrong, Ryleigh had rushed through her end-of-day to-do list and had driven right over. She hadn’t seen Ramon on her way into the store, but knew that when he got in a mood, it could take a while for him to recover.
“He’s going to pout for a bit,” she said. “Don’t take it personally.”
“As I’m the one who nearly got him killed, I’m pretty sure it should be personal.”
“Now you’re being dramatic. Besides, Lucy wasn’t acting out of malice—she was just being a cat.”
“I know that in my head, but in my heart, I can’t forgive her.”
Ryleigh didn’t say anything to that. She had a feeling her sister found it helpful to channel some of her regret into disliking the cat.
“I’m going to try to rehome her,” Jax added. “I know I can take her back to the shelter, but I’d rather find someone who wants her. Do you know any teachers at school who might be interested?”
Ryleigh thought about her coworkers. “No one’s said anything, but I can ask around. She’s a sweet cat and very pretty. Someone will want her.”
Jax stared at her. “How can you say she’s sweet?”
“Because she’s very affectionate.”
“Not to Ramon or me.”
“I don’t know why you two didn’t get along, but she’s always been friendly to me.” She’d enjoyed hanging out with Lucy during her settling in period. She’d never had a pet as an adult. She’d thought about getting one but had always wanted to wait until...
A concept so unexpected and limiting popped into her brain. She immediately tried to dismiss it but couldn’t because it might be the truth. And if it was, well, she didn’t know what but it was bad.
“Ryleigh?” Jax’s voice sounded panicked. “You just went white. Are you sick? What’s wrong? Tell me!”
“I’m fine.” She was. Nearly. Or she would be.
“You don’t sound fine.” Jax straightened in her chair and stared at her. “You’re scaring me.”
Ryleigh forced herself to relax and smile. “It’s okay. I’m not sick or anything. I was just thinking about Lucy and how I’ve wanted to have a pet. Given my work schedule, a cat makes more sense than a dog. But I never took the next step.”
Jax frowned. “I don’t understand. You could have a cat. Your place isn’t huge, but it’s a nice-sized one bedroom and you have that big laundry room with the storage. You could easily put a litter box there.”
“It’s not about space,” Ryleigh admitted. “It’s about waiting for a man. I didn’t get a cat because what if I found a guy and he didn’t like cats?” Just admitting her newly discovered truth made her a little sick to her stomach. “I’ve been limiting myself based on falling for a guy who I haven’t even met. I may never meet him. I’m one of those women.”
“You’re not.” Jax stood, walked around the desk, then bent over and hugged her. “You’re not. You’re wonderful.”
“I know you don’t want to think about me moving, but seriously, can’t you see how I’ve gotten stuck in waiting? I want what I want and I need to make it happen. I have todosomething.”
Jax returned to her seat. “You’re right,” she said firmly. “You do. Obviously moving today is impractical.” She paused. “Let us all admire how easily I’ve said theMword—which is a true sign of support.”
“You’re only saying it because you’re right, I can’t do anything about that until the summer.”
Jax flinched as if she didn’t want to think about Ryleigh ever moving, then bravely went on.
“My point is you can’t do that, but you can do other things.”
“Like take Lucy.”
“What?” Jax’s voice was a yelp. “You want to adopt the parrot-killing cat? You can’t. Then she’ll be part of the family.”
“She didn’t kill Ramon and if anyone has blame for what happened earlier, it’s not her.”
Jax stared at her. “Low blow.”
“I didn’t say the words.”
