Lucy’s enthusiasm was a lot to take in, but her strong reaction eased some of my embarrassment. She was right. It wasn’t my fault the store didn’t carry inclusive sizing.
I chewed my lip. “The guys are supposed to pick me up in like an hour.”
“Drat. Okay, let me think.” Lucy tapped her foot against the sidewalk. “I have this cape I’m working on that could look really cool.”
“It’s really fine, Lucy. I just want to head back home. But I appreciate you wanting tohelp.”
I felt bad at her crestfallen expression, but this whole outing had been a lot on my frayed nerves, and I just wanted to get back home.
“Are you sure?”
“Totally sure. I need to get going, but I’ll see you later. We’re doing lunch Sunday, right?”
“Yes, I’ll see you then.”
I gave Lucy an awkward wave as I headed down Main Street, holding myself back from breaking out into a full-on sprint. I rounded the corner to head to my cottage, and a loudmeowwas the only warning I got before Felix launched himself into my arms. The startled scream that left my lips sounded something likeaarrglblergas I caught him and pulled him close to my chest.
“You almost lost one of your nine lives,” I gasped.
Felix just purred and rubbed his head under my chin.
“That’s right, you probably have infinity lives, you magical little creature.”
I hitched him up so I was holding him more securely and headed down the lighthouse path.
“Do you ever have trouble shopping for clothes? You are a bit of a chunk.” I pet his fluffy belly. “An adorable little chunk,” I quickly clarified.
His purr intensified.
“Maybe the two of us could stay in tonight. Would you like that? We could watch a movie or something.”
I swore Felix practically rolled his eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying in,” I snapped. My trip into town had been quite enough social activity for the day, thank you very much.
Felix refused to allow me to put him down when I got home, so I awkwardly juggled him to one arm and unlocked the door with the other. I flopped down on the couch and Felix settled on top of me.
“I’ll just ask the guys if we can cancel. Hopefully they’re not too disappointed in me.”
I swallowed hard at the realization that I still carried around the fear that they would leave me. I needed to trust them—they had earned my trust. I hadn’t told them about my upcoming heat… and all that came with it, but time was quickly running out. Maybe I could take tonight to myself and work up my courage to tell them tomorrow. I could make them dinner to make up for canceling and then break the news.
I pulled out my phone and agonized over the wording of my text to the guys for way too long.
Olive
Hey! I’m sorry about this, but I don’t think I’m up for anything fancy tonight. Could we maybe cancel our date? I could cook for you tomorrow instead.
I held the phone up to Felix.
“What do you think?”
Felix batted the phone straight out of my hand.
“Oh my god, Felix!”
My shout was drowned out by a knock at the door. I scowled at him as I went to answer, picking my phone up off the floor on my way.
My mouth went dry at the view that greeted me when I opened the door—Easton, Finn, and Lars were standing side by side in suits.
