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“Okay. We look. No adoded.”
When we get to the kitties, Isabel is vibrating in excitement. I’m going to have to convince Mae to get a cat. I cannot bear to say no to this kid.
“Well, hello there,” the rescue woman greets Isabel. She’s a bit older, with a kind face. One of those people who are passionate about animals—the best type of person.
“Hi! Pet cat?” Straight to the point.
The woman looks at me. “You must be the daddy. Is it okay if she pets the cats? They’ve had a health workup and are up-to-date on vaccination.”
I point to myself. “Caretaker, and yes, as long as we don’t go home with one. As in, please help me if this little one gives me sad eyes.”
The older woman laughs. “Gotcha.” When she bends down to open the cage door, one of the cats darts out, causing mayhem on the sidewalk. It’s as if the poor thing is on an escape mission from a high-security prison.
“Noooo! Cat!” Isabel screams.
The rescue woman goes after the cat, but it’s agile, parcouring off of the sidewalk and dashing into the busy street.
The next moment happens so fast, and yet I witness it in terrifying slow motion. Isabel yanks free from my hand, and to my utter horror … runs after the cat.
I don’t think. Except for the memory of when I first met her, crying on the floor, and the instant bond we formed.
I don’t breathe. Except for a desperate gasp when I remember the moment I knew she and Mae were my entire world.
I don’t hesitate. Because if I do, my world will stop turning, implode, and obliterate Mae with it.
“Isabel!”
I chase after my baby because her life depends on it, and I meant what I said—I’d die for her. Thank God people have the wherewithal to pull over, and although I saw Isabel’s life flash before my eyes, I’m sure I’m going to get to her in time. Still, my legs break full speed. She’s so small, it amazes me how fast she is.
A blue sedan comes into my peripheral view, heading straight for Isabel. It’s not slowing down. In fact, it’s accelerating. Jesus fucking Christ.
White-hot panic bursts inside of me, and my breath incinerates my lungs. Terror, heavy and potent, falls over me, straining my heart.
“No!” I bellow so loud my throat threatens to close.
I barely reach her, and there’s not enough time for me to pick her up out of danger. So I push her out of the way as much as I can. She may get hurt, but at—
Pain, acute and excruciating, radiates up my spine as I’m flung face-first onto the asphalt. My head bounces like a ball with the force of the impact. There’s a whoosh in my ears and a roar filling my brain until it feels like it’s going to explode.
Something heavy is on top of me, and I can’t move. It takes a magnitude of effort to see if Isabel is okay, but I manage.
She’s screaming bloody murder, but… The rescue woman has her.
That’s good. She’s going to be just fine.
It’s with that realization that my brain decides it’s had enough. My body goes limp, and my fuzzy vision fades … to nothing.
Chapter 23
The Other Shoe
Mae
Lighter than air, I breeze into our building and the elevator whisks me up to the thirtieth floor. My first stop is Jay’s office because I can’t stand this distance from them any longer. I fucked up, and now I have to take responsibility for it. Ever Heart wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for Jay and their incredible talent.
I’m relieved and nervous that their door is open, leaving me no time to prepare what I want to say, but I’m happy they are here.
“Knock, knock. It’s your sorry sap of a best friend coming to grovel, oh mighty one.”
