Page 95 of Wild Card 13

She turned the screen toward me.

Alois: I am leaving practice if I have to.

My eyebrows lifted. "He'd actually do it."

"Knowing him, he absolutely will."

"You realize he believes you're serious."

"I know."

"Are you?"

She pretended to think about it. "...Maybe."

I laughed harder than I'd expected to. "You have one cat."

"Bento deserves siblings."

"I don't think that's how cats work."

"I think he'd adapt."

"I'm fairly certain he'd file for emancipation."

She snorted. “That's actually fair."

Another text arrived, and the speakers read it aloud.Text from Alois: Beatriz.

I pointed at the screen. "That somehow feels more threatening."

"It does, doesn't it?"

"You should probably tell him you're joking."

She sighed dramatically before dictating:Relax. I'm only bringing home one if nobody adopts it.

Her phone rang almost immediately. I looked at her. She looked at me. Then we both dissolved into laughter.

"I can't answer while I'm driving," she said, declining the call.

"He is spiraling."

"He is absolutely spiraling."

The phone chimed one last time:You are impossible.

Bea's smile turned unexpectedly soft. "I've been told." The warmth in her voice lingered for only a second before she shook herself free of it. "Anyway." She turned onto the next street. "Ready to spend the morning surrounded by puppies before we have to put on uncomfortable dresses and pretend to enjoy another charity gala this week?"

I groaned. "Please don't remind me."

"I've already mentally planned how many tiny desserts I'm stealing."

"I was planning my escape route."

"Excellent."

"We'll meet by the chocolate fountain."