Jesus Christ, this man could bottle and sell his ability to guilt-trip.
“Deaf and disabled cats have it even worse. Sometimes they don’t even make it past the waiting period.”
The idea of deaf cats being rounded up and put to sleep gets me like a knife to the gut. Damn it! Damnhim.
“Is this how Fuzzeroli got adopted?”
Milo smiles, and he most definitely doesn’t look innocent now. “He took to a person who came in for the grand opening.”
I make a mental note to tell all my friends that if they value their pet-free homes, they should never, ever come here. I swallow heavily. “Rome is going to hate me.”
“Your…person?” Milo says, like he’s testing that last word.
“Mm. Friend with benefits, I guess you could say.” I don’t know why I’m explaining that to him.
“Well, he’s Deaf too. They’ll bond.”
“Dennis bit him.”
Milo looks deranged and happy. “Yeah. He did. Feel free to call me if you need help with anything, and for the love of god, do not take him to another shelter if you can’t take care of him. Do you understand?”
I look up at Milo. His tone is terrifying. Like he may murder me if he finds out I did that.
“Bring him back to me. Or I will come for you.”
I swallow heavily. “Right. Yep. Got it.”
His face softens back into his little cherub expression. “Have fun with him. Send me pics!”
Then I’m unceremoniously shoved out the door, and it closes behind me. I have no idea what to do as I stand in the lobby with Dennis in my arms—yowling again because of course he is.
Percy’s behind the register, and he sighs. “Claimed another victim, I see.”
I blink over at him. “Your brother is terrifying.”
Percy’s eyes glint. “You have no idea. Anyway, go put the cat in your car and come back for your free box of litter. Also, we have bulk litter refills, so make sure you get it from us. It’s cheaper.”
That also feels weirdly like a threat. I make another mental note that these guys are…well, they’ve been nothing but nice, but they’re also people we might want to keep an eye on.
I stare down at Dennis, and he looks up at me, his little fang still poking out of his lip. ‘Ready to go home?’ I sign.
He blinks, then opens his mouth and starts screaming again.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ROME
I’ve worked hardfor the next date, put far more effort into it than I normally would. But then again, I want a good grade. And more importantly, I want him to be happy.
I want him to be proud of me and the efforts I’ve made.
I might have gone overboard, though my friends and the internet said a street fair is a great place for a third date. But maybe bringing him a flower is overkill, even if it was something I snagged last minute from the grocery store floral department.
‘A daisy?’ Dex asks, his cheeks slightly pink as I stand outside his door. He snuck out and shut it behind him. Not sure why, but I’m too embarrassed right now to ask.
‘For me?’
I force myself not to scowl as I shove it against his chest. ‘Yes. Accept now.’ Then, to soften it a little, I add a ‘please’ in there as well.
