Number Neighbors - Emma Hart Page 0,56
from breeders. The woman had four cats and three dogs and every single one had been rescued from various shelters back home in England, but she never judged her mom, my grandma, for her purebred babies.
Because it didn’t bloody well matter.
Just like me and Hannah. She’d mentioned last night that if she had been in a position to choose to get a pet, she would have gone to a breeder for a pedigree puppy. A smaller breed that would be easy for her to look after, one that she really loved.
It made sense.
Sure, she’d ended up with a stray kitten, but life was funny like that. I wanted to believe that Lucifer had found her for a reason—and maybe that reason was us.
Without him, I don’t know if we’d ever have figured out who we were texting.
Like I said, life was funny.
Me? I didn’t need a pedigree animal. I didn’t want a cute little baby. I wanted a cat that was fully trained, fully grown, and needed a home. One who could slip into my lifestyle, but also one I could take to work if I needed to.
That was the beauty of a cat.
They slept all the bloody time.
“Do you have one in mind?” Hannah asked, slipping her hand into mine as we approached the shelter doors.
“Nope,” I said. “I just wanted to see what they had. Maybe go to another if they don’t have what I’m looking for.”
“I think I can lend you enough of my time for that,” she teased. “Let’s do it!” She released my hand and bounded toward the door, yanking it open before I could do it for her.
I followed her inside, catching hold of the door before it closed on her arse.
“Hello!” A bright young woman said from behind the counter. “How can we—oh, Dr. Cooper!” She grinned, and I recognized her as Alesha, the girl who usually brought us pets to be looked at.
“Hey, Alesha, I didn’t know you were working today.” I stepped up to the counter. “How is everything? How’s Moses?”
She beamed. “Moses is doing great! He’s still a little wobbly on his leg, but he’s in with you next week to be X-rayed again.”
“Great to hear. Hannah, this is Alesha. She usually brings the sick or injured rescues down to the clinic to be seen.”
Hannah smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you, Alesha.”
“You, too.” She returned the smile, but it was a little tight.
Great.
I knew Alesha had a crush on me because I’d turned her down before, and I knew Hannah wouldn’t miss that part.
“What can I help you with?” Alesha asked, turning her attention back to me.
“I want a cat,” I said simply. “I’ve decided I need a friend, but I don’t want a kitten. Maybe one around two to three years old. Do you have anything?”
She nodded slowly. “We have a few cats around that age, sure. Is your friend looking for a cat, too?”
Hannah bristled beside me.
Well, this wasn’t bloody awkward at all.
She wasn’t my friend, but she wasn’t my girlfriend.
Ah, fuck this shit.
“Nope. My girlfriend already has a kitten. Showed up on her back step and never left.” I grinned at Hannah and squeezed her hand.
She met my eyes, her gaze equal parts shock and happiness.
Well, at least I knew she’d say yes when I officially asked her to be my girlfriend.
Alesha’s smile was tighter than ever. “Come on back. I’ll grab one of the girls to show you around.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
We followed her through the door marked ‘Staff Only’ after she’d punched in the code.
“Audrey! Dr. Cooper is here to adopt a cat.” Alesha knocked on a door just inside the back area. “She’ll be right out.”
With that, she left.
“That wasn’t awkward at all,” Hannah said quietly.
“Tell me about it,” I muttered in response.
The door opened and Audrey came out with a huge smile. She was a homely woman, a few inches shorter than me with a motherly figure and a smile that exuded so much warmth it’d melt the North Pole.
She could also be my mother.
“Isaac!” She wrapped me in a huge hug. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Hannah,” I said, releasing her. “My girlfriend.”
That was twice.
I guessed she was my girlfriend now.
“Pleasure to meet you, my darling!” Audrey said brightly, clasping Hannah’s hands. “Wait—don’t you work in the art store? Jen’s granddaughter?”
“And my grandmother’s reputation precedes me again,” Hannah said jokingly. “Yes, that’s me.”
“Ooh, you and Imogen have some craft sets coming in for my grandbabies when they come to stay this summer. I’m