I park in my usual spot and grab my purse, but as I'm walking toward the building, I remember I haven't checked my mail in days.
Please let my new book be here.
I ordered a paperback from my favorite indie romance author two weeks ago, and the tracking said it should have arrived by now.
The mailboxes are on the far side of the parking lot, and I'm fishing my key out of my purse when I hear it.
A tiny, pitiful mewing sound.
I freeze, listening.
There it is again. Coming from... my car?
I walk back to my Subaru, tilting my head to locate the sound.
"Hello?" I call out, feeling ridiculous talking to my car.
Another mew. Louder this time. Definitely coming from underneath. I’d only been gone maybe five minutes, how could a cat be under my car already?
I crouch down, peering under the vehicle.
Two huge blue eyes stare back at me from a tiny ball of gray fluff.
"Oh no. Oh, sweetie, how did you get stuck under there?"
The kitten mews again, and I can see it's wedged between something mechanical-looking. I have no idea what. I know nothing about cars beyond where to put gas and windshield wiper fluid.
I lie flat on my back and try to reach under, but the kitten is too far back. Every time I get close, it scrambles deeper into the undercarriage.
"Come on, baby. I'm trying to help you."
"Need some assistance?"
I jolt, nearly hitting my head on the car's bumper.
Standing above me, haloed by the afternoon sun, is Tyler Reid.
He's in shorts and a moisture-wicking shirt that clings to his chest in ways that should be illegal. I can see every last one of his well-defined abs. I always imagined he had a six pack but now? This is confirmation. His hair is damp with sweat, and he's slightly out of breath.
"Tyler? What are you doing here?"
"Jogging. I live about a block over." He gestures vaguely behind him. "Normally I run the other route, but there's sidewalk construction, so I came this way today. What's going on?"
"There's a kitten stuck under my car. I can't reach it."
"A kitten?" He crouches down beside me, peering under the vehicle. "I see it. Little gray one?"
"Yes. It keeps moving away from me."
"It's scared. Can't blame it." He straightens. "Let me try. I'm going to need to get under there."
"Are you sure? You're going to get dirty?—"
"I've been covered in worse." He flashes a quick smile. "Step back. Give me some room."
I scramble to my feet and watch as Tyler lies flat on his back and slides partway under my car.
"Hey there, little one," he says, his voice going soft. Gentle. "You're okay. Nobody's going to hurt you."
