"Hey. Come in."
He steps inside, and I watch him take in my apartment. The romance novels everywhere. The fairy lights. The stuffed animals. I should have hidden the stuffed animals. Why did I invite him in? What was I thinking?
His gaze lands on Mochi asleep on Mr. Snuggles, and his expression softens.
"She's already made herself at home."
"She's been exploring everything. I think she approves."
"Smart kitten." He turns to me. "Ready to go?"
"Let me just grab my purse."
We head to the pet store in Tyler's truck, and he asks questions the entire drive.
What kind of books do I read? (Romance, obviously.)
What's my favorite color? (Pink, specifically blush pink or rose gold.)
Do I have family nearby? (No, my parents have retired in Florida.)
How long have I owned the coffee shop? (Two years this November.)
It should feel like an interrogation, but it doesn't. It feels like he genuinely wants to know me.
At the pet store, Tyler takes charge immediately.
"We need kitten food, formula since she's so young, a litter box, litter, toys, a bed?—"
"Tyler, that's so much,” I interrupt him.
"She needs it all. And I said I'd help." He grabs a cart. "Come on."
We spend the next forty-five minutes filling the cart with everything Mochi could possibly need. Tyler explains each item, why it's important, how to use it. Although I’m not dumb, I let him continue to instruct me. There’s something adorable about his golden retriever energy as he explains each thing to me and how it will benefit Mochi. Almost as if he’s trying to justify the items to himself, too.
"You really know a lot about cats," I observe.
"Mittens taught me well." He picks up a feather toy. "She had a toy like this that was her favorite. She'd play with it for hours. I’d move it around and she’d bat at it."
"How old were you when you got her?"
"Seven. My dad brought her home from the shelter right after my mom died." His voice goes quiet. "She was there for me when I needed her most. Grief is hard for a kid. But Mittens... she made it bearable."
My chest tightens. "I'm sorry about your mom."
"Thanks. It was a long time ago, but I still miss her." He shakes off the melancholy. "Anyway, Mittens lived a good, long life. And now you have Mochi. She's going to be a great companion for you."
At the register, I pull out my wallet.
Tyler gently pushes my hand away. "I've got this."
"Tyler, you don't have to?—"
"I want to. I asked you to take her. The least I can do is make sure she has what she needs."
The total is over two hundred dollars.
Tyler hands over his card without blinking.
