She clapped her hands together. “Well, then you absolutely deserve kittens.”
Fuse cleared his throat. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that when I asked her to drop by.”
“No worries. Are you sure I’m allowed to have a kitten in the clubhouse?”
Kayla assured me, “It’s fine. We have a clubhouse cat running around here somewhere. The brothers all take turns feeding and petting him. Dusty made sure he was a big fat tomcat so he would fit in.”
Dusty must have been her personal hero because she kept chatting on and on about all the things Dusty taught her about rehoming cats.
When I glanced up at Fuse, he had the other tuxedo kitten from the litter in his arms. The look on his face pulled me in. Rather than a big, tough biker he looked like a sappy goofball. Meanwhile, the kitten was rubbing her face all over his chest like he was the second coming. It was cute.
I got lost in the moment as the two mewing kittens climbed all over us. They were gorgeous and almost identical in their coloring. Both had glossy black fur on their backs and white chests that looked like they were wearing formal little shirts. One had a perfectly straight white blaze up her nose. The other had a slightly crooked white patch under her chin that made her look perpetually startled.
The kittens might have been adorable, but I couldn’t help sneaking glances at Fuse. He was the main attraction.
The one in my arms took a tumble first, landing feet first on the table. Its tiny paws scrabbled against the top of the smooth table, nearly tipping over the edge. I caught it just in time and moved it back a safe distance. The second followed instantly, taking a running jump from Fuse’s arms to the empty space beside her sister. They bumped into each other before wobbling upright.
Kayla leaned on the bar, delighted. “They’re eight-week-old sisters. And as you can see, they are completely inseparable. We don’t like to split up closely bonded siblings unless we absolutely have to.”
Fuse rested his forearms on the bar and watched as the other kitten took a run at him, colliding headfirst with his chest.
He blinked, glancing up at me with a smile. “That was a fuckin’ bold move.”
“She’s the confident one,” Kayla said, like a proud mother. Kayla reached out to touch the kitten I was holding on the top of the head. “These two do better together. They sleep curled up, groom each other, and cry if you separate them. So obviously you’ll probably want to take both.”
Fuse shot her a disbelieving look. “We haven’t even agreed to one yet.”
“You’re holding one,” she pointed out shrewdly. “And she seems really taken with you.”
Kayla wasn’t wrong about that. The one he was holding climbed up to perch on his shoulder, looking around the room like she owned it.
“They’ve already chosen,” Kayla said. “See how they split. One for each of you.”
My heart melted at the idea of me and Fuse each taking one. That would be so perfect.
“I don’t know,” I murmured. “I work a lot. I wouldn’t want to leave them alone in my room all day.”
“Consider them emotional support animals,” Fuse suggested helpfully. “We can always take turns looking in on them. Besides, you’re not gonna be at the clubhouse forever. Once things have settled, you can come and stay at mine or find your own place. The kittens will keep each other company when you’re out.”
The kitten on my chest stretched and accidentally bumped her tiny nose against my chin. I felt the vibration of her purr against my chest. I’d always wanted a kitten of my own. And this was my opportunity.
Fuse watched me carefully. “You worked hard today,” he said quietly. “You deserve something nice in your life.”
“I have something nice,” I told him playfully. “You.”
The smile that lit up his face was enough to make my heart beat a little faster. Between him and the kittens, my life was rapidly filling with joy.
Fuse looked from me to the kitten and back again as he smoothed his hand down the back of the one that had moved from his shoulder back to rest in his arms. “You want them, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but they need to stay together,” I told him quietly.
Fuse was smiling as he jerked his chin to Kayla. “Two it is, then. We’ll take them both.”
Kayla preened. “Good choice. These two will bring you years of happiness because cats are like that.”
Fuse reached over and brushed his knuckles lightly against my cheek. “Are you happy with my gift?”
I swallowed thickly and nodded. “I’m happy with everything to do with you.”
