Jilted Jock - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,13

direction.

Chance chuckled. “See, we don’t share well – at any age.”

I rolled my eyes. “I should go.”

“What are you going to do about the cat?”

“Knock on doors, put up flyers, post on the neighborhood page.” I shrugged. “Hope he doesn’t notice.”

“Good luck with that. Did you at least take the diamonds off from around her neck first?”

“It’s real?!” I squeaked.

Chance laughed and gave me a little apologetic shrug.

I walked slowly, calling for the cat and asking the neighbors that were outside if they’d seen her. No one had. Defeated and feeling a little sick over it, I approached my house. A large black SUV was parked out front and Finn sat on the front steps with kitty in his lap.

“Oh my God, you found her.”

“Found her?” He stood.

“She got out when I was leaving for a run and disappeared. I’ve been around the block looking for her. Where was she?”

“She was sitting here when I pulled up.”

I reached out and petted her – or attempted too – she swatted my hand and brought my finger to her mouth to bite. “You little wild thing. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I scratched around the diamond collar but didn’t dare ask why in the world he’d give the cat diamonds… a cat he was trying to get rid of no less. Finn cleared his throat. I pulled my hand back and let us into the house.

“Did you find somewhere for kitty?” I walked to the fridge and grabbed a water. I offered him one, but he shook his head. His gaze swept over me and I realized I was probably a mess from running around looking for kitty.

I raised my brows when he didn’t immediately answer, and he snapped out of his judgmental trance. “Not yet. I spent the day finding a new place to live.”

“And?”

“I found a place.”

“That’s great. Do they allow pets?”

He flexed his jaw. “Yeah, but I can’t move in for two weeks, so I was wondering if you’d reconsider letting her stay here? I’ll take care of everything. She’s got food and water, a litter box. And if you want me to hire someone to feed and change the litter, I will.”

“Where are you going to stay?”

“At one of the hotels nearby. It’s quieter in Hermosa Beach. I think I’ll stay until my place is ready.”

How lost did a person have to be that they didn’t want to be near any of the family or friends he knew – not to even be in the same town? Pretty lost. I remembered that feeling well. Not wanting to call Chance or my mum and admit I needed them. Oh God, I was going to do something stupid.

“That’s silly. You don’t need to stay at a hotel. The spare room is yours until your place is ready.”

“I couldn’t impose.” He held his hands up in front of him, embarrassed, but where would he go? Kitty snuggled in his arms and he stroked her absently. Something told me kitty would be good for mending his broken heart. Any discomfort or misgivings seemed less important than giving him a place to heal – a place that loved cats.

“It’s no imposition. I work during the day, so it isn’t like we’re going to be bumping into one another very often. Kitty is already comfortable here.” She jumped from his arms and pranced to the living room. We watched as she tried to jump onto the couch. She couldn’t quite make it yet, but she was determined. “You really need to name her before ‘kitty’ sticks.”

Finn sat down on the stool in front of the counter and let his shoulders sag. A reluctant and tired agreement.

“Is that a yes?”

“Do I have a choice?”

I smiled. “No.”

I grabbed a spare key from my junk drawer and handed it to him, then rummaged through the pantry for what to cook for dinner. I was just about to ask him if he was hungry when I turned to find his nose buried in his phone.

“Got a new phone too, I see.”

“Is Flemings any good?”

“Yeah.” I paused with a box of off-brand penne pasta in one hand. “Their food is incredible. Best steak I’ve ever had. And the mashed potatoes.” My mouth watered. “Richard took me there for our one-year anniversary.”

“Richard?”

“Oh, my boyfriend. He travels, but you might see him on the weekends. He’s a financial analyst.”

“Chance didn’t mention you had a boyfriend.”

I sidestepped that wondering what Chance had said about me. “Café Mod is also good. It’s

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