Page 19 of The Friendship Pact

He grinned as Nyla worked herself up to his chest and proceeded to sniff his neck. “Kate?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry. She’s enjoying your scent.”

As Nyla rubbed her head against his cheek, tickling him with her long whiskers, he asked, “Want to try something new tomorrow?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I haven’t gone to the shooting range in a while. Care to come along?”

“Yeah. Sounds fun.” Kate sat up straighter. “I finished the baking for Santa Days, so I’m free all day.”

“Good. I need to get some time in at the range. Have you fired a gun before?”

“I have, but not for a long time.”

The gusty winds rattled the windows, startling Nyla. She leapt off Nick’s lap. He glanced at the clock and cringed. “I better get going. It’s almost eleven.” He stood and gathered the dishes. Kate followed him to the kitchen with their empty water glasses.

“How about I pick you up at nine?” he suggested. “We can stop at Rosie’s for breakfast and then head to the range.”

“Sounds like a plan. I haven’t eaten breakfast at the diner yet.”

Nick shrugged into his jacket and pulled on his leather gloves. “Best breakfast place in town.” He stepped into the cold. “See you tomorrow.”

“Thanks for dinner.”

He nodded and walked to his truck. He’d had fun tonight, hanging out with Kate. She didn’t flirt, and he found it refreshing to be with a single woman with no strings attached. This was his way to test whether she truly wanted to be only friends. Plus, he needed to know if he could spend time with her and not feel the pull of sexual attraction.

He’d failed. Miserably.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kate awoke to one cat walking around her head and the other pinning her feet in place. She glanced at her clock, the same pink digital one from her high school days. Six a.m. meant she still had a half an hour to sleep. When she was a teen, one of her parents’ rules was that her cell phone stayed in the kitchen on the charger at bedtime. It was still a habit. She turned her alarm off and untangled her feet.

“Come on, you two. Breakfast.”

Her feline housemates ran into the kitchen, their tails standing tall, as she staggered behind. After popping the top off a can of soft food, she scooped salmon pâté into their dishes. She chose her favorite coffee blend, Sumatra, and loaded it into the machine. She placed a mug underneath and then removed her phone from the charger. Several texts had arrived earlier this morning. She wiped her eyes of sleep. Doesn’t anyone sleep in around here?

The first message was from Maggie Jacobs, who’d done the interior design on Kate’s reno. She had a request, and Kate was to call her when she had a chance. The next was from Pete. He said he needed to discuss something regarding her renovation and to meet him inside the church. He’d be starting at 8 a.m. Her stomach tumbled, hoping it wasn’t anything serious.

And the last was from her mom: I received the book! I’m heading to the beach this morning before it gets too hot. Thank you so much. Love you, followed by three heart emojis.

Kate sat at the island with her coffee, warming her hands on the mug and inhaling the fragrance of the rich dark roast. She took a few sips, savoring the smooth and complex taste, before answering her texts.

First, she replied to her mom with her own heart emoji, then found Maggie’s number in her contacts.

“Good morning!” Maggie said as she answered the call. “Thanks for calling me. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Nope. Lucy took care of that.” Kate set her phone on the table and put it on speaker.

Maggie laughed. “Athena is the same way. She’s been up for several hours.”

Kate had never met the dog but knew Athena, a Belgian Malinois, belonged to Maggie’s husband, Owen.

Maggie continued, “I had an idea for Paige’s bachelorette party. Chloe filled you in that she and I are planning it for the weekend before the wedding, right?”

“Yes. She said you’re keeping the plans secret from the men.”

“Correct. I have a favor to ask.”