“You’re asking me to take in a pet?”
I look down at the kitten as it meows again.
“I always wanted a cat, but… well… I couldn’t keep one and…” I shrug, suddenly at a loss for words.
Dex studies me, silent, and the weight of his gaze makes me squirm.
“If you don’t want this, I understand… I’ll…”
I start to turn away, but his hand on my shoulder stops me.
I look up.
He gently takes the kitten from my arms, turning it over carefully to inspect it.
“It’s a boy,” he announces, glancing back at me with a grin.
“Well… we could name him Rocket,” I say, my voice a little too bright.
His green eyes search mine for a moment before he hands the kitten back to me.
“You promise he’ll be yours to take care of?”
His right eyebrow lifts in challenge.
I nod quickly.
He watches me a second longer than necessary.
“Okay.”
Something bright and warm spreads through my chest so fast it almost catches me off guard.
“Okay?” I repeat, just to make sure I heard him right.
“Yes, Tinker,” he says. “But instead of Rocket, why don’t we call him Marvel?”
I decide to ignore the fact that we are apparently naming a cat together.
“Marvel?”
I look down at the kitten. He meows like he’s agreeing. “I guess Marvel is perfect.”
When I look back up, Dex is staring at me.
“You’re smiling,” he says.
Only then do I realize I am.
“Yeah… I guess I am.” I shrug. “Kittens make me happy.”
Dex looks down at Marvel like he doesn’t quite understand the appeal, but somehow he still said yes.
“Thank you, Dex.”
His eyes find mine again. “Just keep him out of my way,” he grumbles before returning to his desk.
“I promise.”
