Page 83 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

I grab my phone again and stare at Lucien’s name. I want to see him. There’s no reason other than I want to, and that feels perfect.

I send him a message asking if he’s at The Rot. When he confirms he is, I grab my jacket and head for the door. I stop with my hand on the knob when I realize Lucien could teleport me there in seconds, but I don’t need him to come get me every time I want to go somewhere. The Rot isn’t that far away.

The Rot always looks completely different during the day. Right now, most of the lights are on, the music is low, and a woman I don’t recognize is standing behind the bar with a clipboard.

Lars notices me first. He’s carrying a box across the room when his gaze lands on me, and his eyebrows rise. He snorts before nodding toward the stairs. “He’s upstairs. Needs a distraction if you ask me.”

“Distraction I can do.” I start toward the stairs, but the woman behind the bar looks over when I pass. I offer her a little wave, and she smiles back before returning to whatever she’s writing. I make it halfway to the stairs before stopping.

“Wait.” I turn back toward Lars and nod toward the woman. “Who’s that?”

Lars’s smile becomes suspiciously smug. “Ask Lucien.”

Interesting. I take the stairs two at a time. Lucien’s office door is cracked open, and I hear his voice before I reach it. He sounds serious, which is always a little strange after getting to know him. People who only meet ridiculous Lucien probably don’t realize how easily he can switch into the demon who has kept this place running for decades.

I knock against the doorframe, and Lucien looks up from whatever he’s working on. His entire expression changes. The serious concentration disappears, replaced by a huge smile that makes warmth spread through my chest.

“Kitty cat.”

He pushes his chair back, but I point at him before he can stand. “Stay.”

Lucien freezes halfway out of his chair, one hand still braced against the desk. He slowly lowers himself back into his chair, watching me with exaggerated obedience.

I walk around the desk, and Lucien finally stands anyway. His arms go around my waist the moment I’m close enough, and I curl mine around his neck. “Hi.”

“Hi.” His voice softens as he leans down and kisses me. It’s familiar now, and I sink into him for a few seconds before pulling away. Lucien brushes his nose against mine. “Not that I’m complaining, but what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you.”

Lucien goes still, and the way his eyes brighten immediately makes me narrow mine. His tail curls around my leg as he kisses my forehead. “My pretty kitty came all this way because he missed me.” Lucien tightens his arms around me before I can pretend to escape, laughing when I push uselessly at his chest.

I give up and lean against him. “Who’s the woman downstairs?”

Lucien immediately perks up. “Oh! She’s my new manager! Come meet her.”

Lucien practically drags me downstairs. The woman looks up from her clipboard when we approach. She has dark brown skin, a cloud of black curls pulled into a high ponytail, and tiny silver horns curling backward from her temples. She looks between Lucien and me before smiling.

“Sparkle, this is Lessa. Lessa, this is Sparkle.” Lucien gestures proudly between us before resting his hand against my lower back. “My boyfriend.”

Something about hearing Lucien say it makes my tail wag happily behind me.

Lessa offers me her hand. “Nice to meet you finally. I’ve heard a lot.”

“Oh, gods.” I shake her hand before looking suspiciously at Lucien. “What have you been telling people?”

“That you’re beautiful, intelligent, funny, an excellent kisser, remarkably talented at managing chaos, and⁠—”

Lessa’s smile widens as she lowers her clipboard. “Mostly the beautiful part.”

My ears get hot, and Lucien looks delighted with himself. I turn back to Lessa before he can make the blush worse.

Lucien plants his hands on his hips and looks so fucking proud of himself that I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. “I went through so many applications before I found the perfect person.”

Lessa glances at me. “I don’t know that I’m perfect, but I’m dedicated and loyal.”

Lucien waves her off before looking at me again. “She’s amazing, and she’s only been here half a day.”

Lessa chuckles. “I just know what I’m doing.” She turns to me. “I managed a few demon businesses in my lifetime. Managing one in the human realm is a piece of cake.”