Crazy Stupid Bromance (Bromance Book Club #3) - Lyssa Kay Adams Page 0,73
Noah wrapped his arm around her shoulder to palm the back of her head as he kissed her again. Soon, he rolled her onto her back, and his hand began its exploration again, and—
“Shit.” Noah froze, eyes wide, unblinking, and staring off to the side.
“What? What’s wrong?” Alexis followed his stare. Beefcake was beside the bed, paws perched on the mattress as if he wanted someone to pick him up.
Noah’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “If I move slowly, maybe he won’t hurt me.”
“He’s not going to hurt you.” Alexis patted the mattress. “Come on, Beefcake. You can do it.”
Noah rolled off her and managed to throw the comforter over his naked lap just in time. Beefcake leaped onto the bed, lumbered over Alexis, and went straight for Noah.
Noah held rigidly still, not even breathing, as Beefcake stepped gingerly onto his chest.
“Oh shit.” Noah gulped.
Alexis scratched Beefcake behind the ears. “Good boy,” she cooed. “Noah is our friend.”
The gravel of a deep purr vibrated through his thick fur. Eyes closed, Beefcake began to knead his front paws into Noah’s chest.
Alexis gasped. “Awwww . . . look at that.”
Noah swallowed hard. “Wh-What’s he doing?”
“It’s called making kitty biscuits.”
“It’s called tenderizing the meat.”
“It’s a sign of affection.”
Beefcake began to purr louder as he folded his legs under him and settled into a rectangle on Noah’s chest.
“A full meat loaf,” Alexis whispered, emotion choking her.
“What the hell does that mean?” Noah hissed back.
“That’s what you call that cat position. A meat loaf. They only do it when they’re truly relaxed and content.”
Beefcake was the picture of relaxation—eyes closed, purring with a steady motor, head lowered. “Pet him,” Alexis whispered.
Noah’s hand rose slowly from the mattress and hovered above Beefcake’s back. Then, inch by inch, he lowered it until his fingers brushed Beefcake’s fur. The purr became a rumble.
Alexis lowered her cheek to Noah’s shoulder and sighed. “My two favorite men. Friends, at last.”
* * *
* * *
Alexis was still melty and deliriously happy an hour later when she sat down with Jessica at a bistro table with her laptop and her daily planner. Two of the part-time college students who worked there manned the counter. It was past nine, so the worst of the morning rush was over. Still, she wanted to keep the meeting as short as possible. Even taking two days off for the physical evaluations was going to be tough, and she had an intimidatingly long to-do list to get through today. She shuddered to think how much she was going to have to do if she actually went through with the surgery. She’d be off work for a minimum of ten days.
Jessica pushed a plate bearing a scone and a cup of cut-up fruit closer to Alexis. “I haven’t seen you eat anything.”
Alexis popped a grape into her mouth as she pulled out a copy of the schedule she’d put together that morning. “Let me know if this works for you. Liv and Mack are both available to help out anytime you need it.”
“Beth and I can handle it,” Jessica said. “Don’t worry.”
“If anything comes up, just call me. If I can’t answer, call Noah. He can get messages to me.”
“Seriously, Alexis. We got this. You just focus on what you need to do.”
Alexis closed her planner and ate another grape. “Thank you for pet sitting.” Jessica had agreed to stay at her house while Alexis was gone. Beefcake wasn’t exactly kennel material. He had a tendency to pee on cats he didn’t know. “He’ll be mad that I didn’t bring him to work today, but just give him a treat, and he’ll get over it.”
A ding from the café door interrupted. Alexis glanced over and then quickly back with a smile. Bob Brown, the head of the East Nashville district business council, shuffled forward with an apologetic gait.
“Hey, Bob. What’s up?”
“Good to see you, Alexis. Wish I was here under better circumstances.”
A tinge of alarm shot through her. “What’s wrong?”
He handed over an envelope. “Didn’t want you to see this in an email.”
Alexis opened it and pulled out a single sheet of paper. Bob stood nervously by as she scanned the words.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” she breathed, looking up at Bob. “Is this for real?”
“’Fraid so.”
Jessica reached for the paper. “What is it?”
Alexis tried to keep the venom from her voice. “Karen actually did it. She filed a complaint against me. I have to answer to the zoning board.”