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Larry started turning in circles on Adonis’ lap, trying to get comfy.

“Ouch, watch the package, Pussy.” Adonis grabbed her front paws.

And instead of scratching Adonis, Larry just let Adonis adjust her paws to a safer place on his lap.

Larry stared up at Adonis like she was in love.

Yeah, I got it. I fell pretty easily for Adonis too.

I lifted my gaze to his and I felt my cheeks flush when he was already staring at me.

“Why does this mean so much to you?” he asked.

“I told you. I don’t want you to be alone here.”

“And I told you that you can keep my bed warm.”

I smiled up at him. “And Larry can keep it warm when I can’t be here.”

“Definitely not,” he said with a laugh and looked down at Larry who had fallen asleep on his lap. “I don’t know how to take care of it, Aphrodite.”

“I’ll help. She’s not just your cat. Larry belongs to both of us.”

Adonis stared at me. “That’s kind of a big thing. Having a pet together.”

My heart started hammering in my chest. For just a second, I thought about Mr. Halifax. And how I fell too hard too fast. I was doing it again. And I was freaking Adonis out. I cleared my throat and sat up. “You’re right. I was just thinking about you being alone here and it made me sad. And then Larry looked so sad at the store.” I picked her up off of Adonis’ lap. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

I held Larry close to my chest. I could feel her heart beating under my hands. It was racing faster than mine. And I wondered if she was scared of going back in that cage. “I always wanted a pet growing up and I wasn’t allowed to have one,” I said. “But I shouldn’t have forced this on you. I’ll return...” I couldn’t even say the words. I didn’t want to return her. I started blinking fast. I just had this feeling in my gut that was telling me that Larry needed us. And that Adonis truly did need her.

I stood up before I did something stupid like burst into tears. Adonis had been very clear about not wanting a pet. I shouldn’t have pushed it. I walked toward the cat carrier. “I’m so so sorry, Larry.” I knelt down and sniffled.

“Hey,” Adonis said and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “I wasn’t saying I didn’t want to have a pet with you. I was just saying it was a big step.”

I nodded, but didn’t reply.

“It feels like it took me forever to get you to date me,” he said. “I’m just trying to go at your pace. The last thing I want to do is scare you off by going too fast.”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t really know what to say to that. I was the one that bought the cat, not him. If we were going too fast it was on me. But this didn’t feel fast. “It doesn’t feel too fast to me.” It actually felt just right. I was an all or nothing kind of person. As much as I wished I knew how to protect my heart, I didn’t. Adonis already had it. Whether he knew it or not.

Adonis kissed the side of my neck. “Then Pussy can stay,” he said. “If that’s what you want.”

I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “Really?”

Adonis kissed my neck again. “I will do anything in my power to see you smile after seeing you sad for so long. I’m at your mercy, Aphrodite. And like you said, it would be rude to return a present.”

“I’m sorry that I sprung her on you. And said she was a bit of us and called her family. I know that was a lot and obviously we’ve barely started dating and talking in those terms maybe was too fast to you...”

“Aphrodite.” Adonis slid his fingers in my hair. “I’m not scared of us being a family. I think about putting babies in you all the time.”

I laughed. “You do not.”

“All the time. And all the babies.”

“Stop it.”

“I’m crazy about you.” He kissed the side of my jaw. “So if you’d please put Pussy down, preferable out in the hall...”

“We need a new name,” I said with a laugh.