Wanda eyes them both from her perch, tail twitching once. Then, without fanfare, hops down and approaches like she’s inspecting soldiers in training.
“Moment of truth,” Cami murmurs beside me.
I glance down as Stripe immediately toddles toward Wanda, nosing her belly with a hopeful squeak. Shadow follows, a little more hesitant, but no less determined.
Wanda leans down. One long, slow lick to Stripe’s head. Then another to Shadow’s ear.
“We have contact,” Dex says under his breath, hands on his hips like he’s watching NASA land a rover.
I feel Cami exhale beside me. “They clearly love her.”
“Can’t tell how she feels about them,” I mutter.
Dex clears his throat, rocking back on his heels like he’s about to comment on the weather.
“So,” he says, gaze ping-ponging between us, “what’s the plan with these two matchmakers? Any thoughts on making it official?”
Cami’s head tilts. “You mean…adoption?”
“They’re ready. Healthy. Fully weaned. And Wanda…” He tips his chin toward the blanket where she’s now curled like a reluctant babysitter, tail swishing as Shadow climbs over her flank. “She’s not exactly giving off motherly devotion. More like mildly tolerant older-sibling vibes.”
Cami raises a brow, fingers smoothing over Stripe’s tiny spine as if to shield him. “You don’t think she’s bonding with them?”
“Oh, she is,” Dex says.
Wanda stretches out across the fleece like it’s her personal throne, tail flicking as Stripe noses into her belly. She endures it for half a second, then rolls to face the opposite direction.
“But it’s not aforeverkind of bond,” Dex continues. “Wanda clearly sees them as houseguests, not dependents. No nesting. No protective behaviors. If they stay longer, she’ll deal. But she won’t miss them once they go.”
I glance down at Shadow, curled against Wanda’s belly like it’s the safest place in the world. “So she’s not going to protest if they’re adopted out.”
“Not unless they steal her sunbeam,” Dex deadpans. “And as of this week, they’re officially old enough. Flyers go up Friday unless someone steps in sooner. Biscuit, the other kitty that was delivered here, has already been adopted by a staff member.”
Cami looks at me. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“Doesn’t mean we haven’tthoughtabout it,” I say.
Dex smiles like he saw this coming. “No pressure. But if you’re even considering adoption, we can process that today.”
Cami glances down at Stripe pawing at her purse strap, her smile tugging wider as she bends to untangle him. “Not sure how these two will survive without us.”
I clear my throat. “Should we make it official?”
Cami’s whole face shimmers with delight. “Yes!”
“Wait—” Dex raises a brow. “Are we talking about the kittens or…?”
“Kittens!” Cami and I shout and chuckle in unison.
“Awesome.” He grins, already heading for the door. “And I know a guy who makes ridiculously cute name tags and personalized collars.”
Cami snorts. “Can they sayProperty of the Cat Whisperer?”
“AndBubble Girl,” I add with a wink.
Our corny inside joke hangs between us, light and familiar. Cami’s hand stills on Shadow’s fur, her thumb pressing gently as if to steady herself.
When her eyes meet mine, bright and a little undone, I can’t help but wonder if this adoption is really about them or more about us.
