“Well, that’s one less cat on earth you need to worry about. I helped TNR her. She’s fixed, vaccinated, and treated with flea medicine.” I grin.
She grows still for so long that I worry I’ve said something wrong. “You…you’ve trapped and released before?” she asks incredulously.
“Oh, yeah.” I wave my hand in dismissal. “My parents are huge cat people, and our old neighborhood had a colony problem every kitten season. My dad taught me how to trap growing up. Stormie definitely needed the help; I was happy to do it.”
“Wait…so would you say you’re a cat person?” she whispers.
I point to my tattoo. “Oh, definitely. I’ve done it all—fostered pregnant cats, bottle fed kittens, everything. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid.”
Maeve just blinks.
This was the card I was hoping to play once I got to know her better.
“Cats are the best. You have to earn their love and trust, and it’s worth it every time.” I grin. “And if Stormie ever allows it, I’m moving her in with me. Trust me, I’ve tried. She’s stubborn as hell, though. Got some battle scars to prove it, too.”
The room fills with the sweet scent of brown sugar.
Omega.
“I…I…” Maeve opens and closes her mouth, then shoots out of her chair. “I’m dropping your class. I’m sorry.”
“Wait.What?”
She hastily shoves her papers into her messenger bag as I stand. “I’ll leave the guitar with you. Thank you for everything.” When she hurriedly turns to head to the door, she bangs her thigh on the corner of the desk and hisses. “Shit.Ow.”
“Hold up. Maeve.” I stand in front of her, my arms outstretched. “Did I do something? Did I make you uncomfortable?”
I don’t know what caused her sudden change. I go through our conversations from the past hour, wondering what the fuck just happened.
At my question, she barks out a laugh. “No! No,” she breathes and winces. “Shit. I really hit that desk hard.”
“Yeah, you did,” I say slowly, holding my hands up in surrender. “Why do you want to drop the class?”
“I’m not a fast learner,” she says quickly. “I’ll waste your time.Ow.”
“That’s not true,” I say as she tries to hobble out of my office. “Shit, babe,sit down.”
Her eyes widen, and I freeze.
She didn’t miss the undercurrent of Alpha command in my tone, and I stare back at her, horrified.
Not only did I call her a pet name, without thinking, I attempted to speak to her inner Omega.
Oh shit.
Avery’s going to kill me.
“Maeve, I’m so?—”
“Look,” she says breathlessly. “I’m just going to be honest with you, okay? I’m dropping your class because you’re a cat person.”
I blink. “What?”
“I liked you already,” she says, keeping eye contact, her chin held high. “And now you’re telling me you’verescued cats? This isn’t going to work.” She motions between us. “I won’t be comfortable in your class if I’m this attracted to you. And I’m sorry if that makes you feel awkward…” She chews her lip and drops her hands in defeat. “Yeah. That’s my speech, I guess. I’m dropping your class. Sorry I perved out on you.”
I stare at her, dumbfounded. Her words swirl around in my head until there’s only a faint buzzing.
My attraction isn’t one-sided.
