Page 109 of Something Borrowed

“What if… what if we could keep Christmas and have another cat besides?”

“What are you talking about?” Audra asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing.

Vic moved from the couch, pulled an ottoman over in front of Audra’s chair, and sat down. She wanted to reach out and clasp her mom’s hand but suspected—knew—the gesture would be ill-received.

“The person who messaged says Christmas was part of a litter of stray cats that she fed and tried to tame enough to trap and bring to a shelter. Four siblings went for it. Christmas, though the friendliest of them all, wouldn’t go near the cage. She would, however, come into the house and steal food off the counter.”

Audra snickered proudly. “Good girl. I knew she was smarter than the average cat.”

“And one sibling and their mother steered clear too.”

“So, what about this sibling?” Cal asked, and Audra nodded approval at the question.

“A sister. Similar markings as Christmas, apparently, but a bit ‘chonkier.’”

“And what about the mother?” asked Audra. “What happened to that poor beast? The animal kingdom is just like the human one. Mothers bear all the weight of offspring.”

Vic didn’t take it personally and she didn’t feel hurt. She knew what Audra was saying, and maybe even agreed.

She did take Audra’s hand then—gave it a quick squeeze, then released it. Audra looked surprised, but not displeased.

“You know what? I don’t actually know the answer to that, Mom. They just said the mother wouldn’t step near the trap. I’ll see if they know what happened to her.”

Chapter 53

Cal wasn’t normally a fidgeter, or hadn’t been since he was a kid when it was pretty much smacked out of him—but that was the thing. Vic made him feel like a kid—but in a good, cheerful, safe way.

They’d been spending almost all their free time together and it was wonderful—but he hoped for more. He wanted to sit reading in a corner while she painted. He wanted her to cuddle into him at night after they’d made love—not for her to get up and leave a little while later. He wanted morning coffee and midnight snacks. He, well, wanted all the things long-married people seemed to take for granted and he, from the outside looking in, always thought seemed special. Even household chores and paying bills seemed cozy with someone.

They had an official date planned—dinner out, followed by a stand-up comedy night at the casino—rather than just hanging out at Vic’s, which they often did and which he totally understood, especially now that they knew what Audra was up against. As he drove to her place to pick her up, he went over and over what he wanted to say in his head.

He also wanted the timing to be right, however, so he waited till they were done dinner—which consisted of butter chicken, rice, naan, and conversation about Vic’s fears for Audra, that they couldn’t discuss when she was around, obviously, and a dozen other little things. It wasn’t the right time to bring it up. And intermission at the show didn’t seem right. Their faces hurt from laughing, and he didn’t want to dampen the mood.

Finally, it was the right time. They were lingering in his van in her driveway, neither wanting to say goodnight, though both had early mornings planned.

Her fingers were laced through his, and he rubbed his thumb along the graceful line of her index finger.

“I know we haven’t even really been dating long, Vic—but the times we’ve spent together . . . they make me feel like I’ve come home. And I don’t mean to a physical place. I mean, like when I’m with you, wherever we are, my heart is home . . .” He trailed off, wishing he hadn’t sounded quite so flowery but meaning it all the same. “But I also don’t mean not a physical place.” Man, he was almost as good at this as he was at banter. “What I’m trying to say, or to ask, rather, is if you would please consider moving in with me? I would love to hold you every night—and wake up to you every morning.”

“I feel exactly the same way,” Vic said softly, but something in her tone made Cal’s neck prickle. “I like you, Cal, so much—like I really, really like you.”

Cal relaxed. Her eyes were shining and so warm and full of the truth of those words that even though he could still hear the “but” coming, he couldn’t be worried. Or not too worried.

“I would love to make a home with you, if that’s what you’re asking.”

He nodded to say yes, it was—and he knew the but was next.

“But—”

Here it came.

“I need to stay with Audra, even though it’s going to be difficult at times—and I’m rebuilding my relationship with Michael. His visit was a good start, but just that. A start.”

He nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense. I understand.” And he did. He totally did, but disappointment washed through him all the same.

Vic bit her lip and looked up at him from beneath her lashes. There was something in her expression he didn’t quite understand—shyness maybe?

He tilted his head. “What is it?”