pillow and booked it.”
“Aren’t cats supposed to be color-blind?” I ask.
Rose shrugs her shoulders. “I thought that was dogs?”
“According to Google, cats can see shades of blue and green, but reds and pinks can be confusing and may appear more green,” Arlo reads from his phone.
“Does that mean it’s afraid of orange or green?” I tease.
Rose rolls her eyes, but Arlo chuckles.
“We should make posters and hang them up. Maybe someone’s out looking for the cat?” I suggest.
“Elton,” Rose corrects me.
“Are you already off your call with loverboy?” Rose asks while I grab my backpack and haul out my laptop to start creating posters to print.
“He was heading to a party.”
“I’m sorry, did you say party? Like that thing I invited you to go to tonight?” Rose walks over to where I’m sitting on the couch and sits so close her leg is against mine, then she leans her head on my shoulder. “Are you saying that all I have to do to get you to pay attention to me is ignore you and text you twice a month?”
Still sitting at the dining room table, Arlo looks at me.
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” I tell him.
Arlo shakes his head, his eyebrows jumping. “I didn’t say anything.”
“I know, but you were thinking it.”
His lips fight a grin. “What was I thinking?”
“That I’m one of those girls. That I’ll sit and pine for a guy who barely acknowledges me.” I point a finger at Rose to ensure she’s listening as well. “I’ve known Matt almost my entire life. This isn’t just some swoon where I like him from a distance, and he has no idea, and I have no chance.”
“I never said you don’t have a chance. That’s not why I don’t like the situation,” Rose says. “I don’t like it because you’re gorgeous and sweet, and he doesn’t treat you like the queen you are. Boyfriends are supposed to get their girlfriends gifts for Valentine’s and birthdays and for no other reason besides knowing they’re fucking lucky.”
“We live in different states. That complicates things.”
“But you’re guacamole, babe. And I don’t want him to treat you like you’re run-of-the-mill salsa.”
“I like salsa,” Arlo says. “Why are we dogging on salsa?”
“Salsa is great. Salsa is fucking fantastic. I love salsa, too. Hell, I am salsa to guys because I like to sleep with them and then send them packing the same night. I know the score. They know the score. But, you’re not a booty call to Matt. You like him. You have feelings for him, and all of that is keeping you from experiencing a little salsa while you’re in college. Therefore, I want to make sure that if you’re all in, he’s all in—and not just when it’s convenient or when you go visit.”
“He’s busy.”
“You’re busy. You go to school full-time and have a job.”
“You’re forgetting that I take care of you.”
Rose smiles. “That’s a given.”
She turns her head, and I can tell she wants to delve farther into this conversation. I, on the other hand, have no interest. “This is a heavy conversation—like wool sweater heavy. We’re good. I’m good. I’m happy.”
Rose looks at me, her eyes vacant for a minute before she swallows the rest of her thoughts and nods. “That’s all I care about.”
“Arlo’s next,” I say. “Sounds like he’s wearing a bit of a chip on his shoulder from his last love interest.”
He shoots me a curious look and says, “What makes you say that?”
“Lucky guess,” I snicker as I settle back in my seat, opening a blank document to start typing.
Rose pulls her chin back. “What? I haven’t heard about this.”
“That’s because my shoulders are chip-less.”
I look at Rose and shake my head. She turns back to Arlo. “Details!” she demands, practically bouncing with anticipation.
“It’s not a big deal,” he finally says. “I was just kind of seeing a girl, and things didn’t work out.”
“Oh, well, that’s not exciting. I was waiting for you to spill the tea, tell me she wanted you to wear butt plugs or something,” she responds, slightly dejected at not getting any juicy details.
He throws his head back and laughs, exposing his corded neck, which I may or may not find sexy. Jeez, first forearms, now necks…
“Do you mind giving me the address where you found the cat?” I ask, trying to divert my attention. “I can swing by tomorrow between classes and try hanging some fliers.”
“You probably want to try apartment row. That’s the only place I can think of