“What?”
“I read an article yesterday that the newest one is Kaitori, and she was born seven months ago.”
“She can still be a he.” Sophie hums. “But anyway, I love that name.”
Miles studies her. “You’re adding it to your future baby name list, aren’t you?”
“I think I am. What do you think? Want a future niece named Kaitori?”
Miles beams. “I’ll be happy with any niece or nephew.”
She bumps his shoulder. “Someday.”
Hot, humid air hits us in the face as we enter the penguin enclosure, the noise echoing in the small space. We stand by the glass, watching as they dive and swim under the surface.
“They’re like chaotic businessmen,” Miles says.
I raise a brow. “Chaotic businessmen?”
“Yeah, you know, funny looking with murder in their eyes.”
Sophie cracks up. “So they’re like you when the cat is puking?”
He gasps and whips his head around. “Sophie! You promised you’d never bring that up again!”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry, but that story isgold.”
“What story?”
Miles shakes his head, but Sophie trudges on. “When we were in Spokane, we shared this tiny apartment just down the street from the hospital. Lily was, what? Maybe three or four at the time? Anyway, she had a habit of getting into the trash.” She snorts, trying to continue. “Whatever she ate did not settle with her. She puked all over me the next morning. Like, right down my shirt. I screamed, of course, because what the hell! And the next thing—” She buckles over, wheezing, and Miles turns away, his cheeks bright red. “The next thing I know, Miles is running into the hall butt naked and holding a… what was it? Oh! One of those tension rods to hold a shower curtain up. We had just bought it, so it wasn’t installed yet. Miles had fury in his eyes, like he thought someone was trying to murder me.”
“Well, clearly she was! You were screaming!” Miles says.
I sputter a laugh. “Poor kitty.”
“Oh, Lily was fine after that,” Sophie finishes. “It’s like she waited all night just to puke on someone and since Miles’ door was closed, she chose me.”
“Hey, that cat loves you more than she loves me, so she would’ve chosen you anyway.”
Sophie preens a little. “She does love me, doesn’t she? She lets me cuddle her.”
Miles rolls his eyes, annoyed.
I pout for him. “That’s sad.”
“I know! I’m the one who feeds herandcleans her litter. The brat.”
I bump his shoulder. “Clem will be cuddling with you in no time, I’m sure.”
He smiles, wrapping an arm around me like the reminder we are living together now melts him. Despite the embarrassing stories, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Miles this relaxed. He definitely needed this.
By the time we’re sitting on a bench near the food court, Miles is a little sunburnt. We order some loaded fries and corn dogs, then sit in the shade to eat. I take a quick photo of them together, then scoot closer and grab a selfie of all three of us. Before I can pull away, Miles snags my phone.
“We need one of you and me too.”
I lean in, resting my head on his shoulder. It’s adorable, and easily my favorite picture of us yet. Miles kisses me, stealing yet another picture.
“You guys are seriously ridiculous,” Sophie says. “Like, full on, heading-for-the-alter ridiculous. I’ll be expecting a Save the Date soon.”
