I didn’t expectto drive Violet home in the middle of the night.
Or that she’d be holding a tiny, newly rescued menace in her arms.
But here we are.
“She’s settling,” Violet says softly from the passenger seat, glancing down at the furball in her lap.
“She?” I repeat.
Violet looks at me. “Feels like a she.” She shrugs. “I’ll check when we get home.”
I give her a sidelong glance. "Home?"
"My home," she corrects.
I don’t say anything.
“Pretty sure the kitten’s female.” Violet strokes her head. “She’s feisty like a girl.”
I glance over at her again and smile. “Okay. She.”
Silence settles between us.
It’s easy, not awkward.
My eyes move from the road to her again. She’s staring at the kitten like she’s making sure it’s still okay. Still safe.
There’s something about the way she looks at it. Gentle and focused. Completely present.
It’s… kind of adorable.
“You’ve done this before,” I say.
She looks up. “What?”
“This,” I nod toward the cat. “Calming down a terrified animal in under thirty seconds.”
She shrugs slightly. “I like animals.”
“She’s gonna need a name.”
“Yes, she does.”
I think for a second. “What about… Storm?”
Violet’s lips curve faintly. “Because she tried to attack you?”
“That was an aggressive introduction. Like an unexpected storm.”
She hums softly, considering. “I don’t hate it.”
“High praise.”
She makes a cooing noise at the kitten. It purrs louder.
I watch them bond, and something in my chest tightens.
“What would you name her?” I ask softly.
