“Yes. I underestimated their willingness to punish me in front of all the wedding guests.” She shrugged. “Even though it was embarrassing, I would still love to see Pru get married, if I could be assured I wouldn’t be kicked out and humiliated again.” Luther kept staring. She paused a beat and added, “Aren’t you from Ichor-Delta?”
He nodded. “I am.”
“I can’t go.” The little kitten wove around her ankles, meowing in earnest, as if trying to entice her into taking a tiny new pet home.
He looked down at the black ball of fluff. “You can’t go because you have to take care of your kitten or you can’t go because you’re afraid of being caught again?”
“This isn’t my kitten. Besides, my parents would do the exact same thing if they found me on Ichor-Delta for Pru’s wedding. I’m certain they will be extra diligent this time to ensure I don’t dare show up. They disowned me after Lucy and Axel’s wedding, they have held fast and hard to their decision and will likely hold a grudge forever.”
He shrugged. “Maybe they will soften after more time goes by.”
Francine shook her head. “Oh no. They are committed to this rancor, as they proved with the last wedding I attended.”
“Maybe they were simply surprised and regret sending you back to Earth so expediently.”
Francine let out a grim little laugh. “They didn’t have any regrets.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Right after they kicked me out of Drucilla’s wedding and sent me packing on a speedy transport straight back to the Earth colony, they billed me for the exorbitant cost of the flight. It’ll take me a year to pay it off.” She pointed a thumb over her shoulder at the Supernova Supermarket. “I went from part-time employment to a full-time position, plus I take any and all overtime offered so I can pay off my debt as fast as possible.”
“Wow. Thatishardcore. I guess they meant it when they disowned you. I’m sorry.” He looked down at the kitten, which now leapt up against her leg, trying to get attention or begging to be picked up. “Are you certain that isn’t your kitten?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” The kitten stopped jumping and went back to weaving around her ankles, meowing its little heart out.
“Looks like your kitten.”
Francine picked the fluffball up. A quick check proved it was a girl kitten. She started purring like a motorboat roaring across a lake. The comparison came to mind because Francine had seen that very thing while visiting an old friend, Ria, who lived with her new husband, Cam Grey, in a cabin right next to a beautiful lake.
“Sounds like your kitten.”
“How do you know what kittens sound like, but didn’t know this was a kitten until I told you?”
A slow, sexy smile appeared on his luscious mouth. “I guess you’ve got me there. But that noise it’s making sounds very happy.” He studied the fluffy creature in her hands. “See? Its little eyes are closed, and it looks like it’s smiling.”
Francine watched him as he examined what was likely to become her new pet and felt a touch of awe.
“Well, since you think I should keep this kitten, what name would you give her?”
He stroked the tiny head with one finger and said, “Troublemaker.”
“That’s certainly appropriate, but quite a mouthful for such a little bit of soft fur.”
“Speed Bump could be an option, or maybe Pancake, which she almost was until I scooped you up.” For some reason, his expression turned sensual.
Francine eyed Luther Boudreaux. He didn’t look like a Luther to her. He looked more like a dark knight or perhaps a raven-haired Norse god from human mythology, although the names Batman and Thor were taken. It didn’t matter that Thor was blond, there was something electric about being in Luther’s presence. The god of lightning seemed apt, in his case. Perhaps she’d give Luther a nickname.
“Do you go by Luther?” she asked. “Or do you have a nickname?”
He looked surprised. “I typically introduce myself as Luther, but I used to have a nickname. How did you know? Are you one of those mind-reading types?”
“No. I don’t read minds.” Francine shrugged. “You just don’t look like a Luther to me, that’s all.”
“I see. WhatdoI look like?” he asked in that low, sexy voice he had, with the slight Ichor-Delta accent. They all sounded a bit like Earther British Royalty.
You look likeperfection.
“I don’t know. What’s your nickname? Or should I think one up for you?”
