Page 17 of Prickly Pair
He nodded. “Yeah, I need to run a few errands. I’m fixing the roof on the hotel today.”
“Be careful,” Avery warned. “Have Levi or Mateo help you.”
“I don’t need help.”
Avery’s expression pinched, but she didn’t argue.
Austin shot me one more glare then left the counter, pausing to ruffle Avery’s hair before heading out the door. “See you. Let me know if you need something. Nick, you should leave.”
“We’ll chase him away,” Avery said, waving her hand at her older brother.
The moment the three of us were alone, they both looked at me.
“You don’t need to stay,” June said again. “We’ve got this.”
“Can I help instead?” I asked. “I don’t have any meetings today and I was just showing Lucky our town.”
“Ourtown?” Avery asked, her expression warming up. “So you really are here to stay.”
“I am,” I said.
“Can I see Lucky?” June asked. “Can I pet him?”
“Me too. I love cats. We recently got two dogs and they’re the best in the whole world, but completely different energy than a cat.”
“Oh, for sure,” I agreed. “And yes. I’ll hold him, though, that way if he claws anyone, it’s me.”
I unlatched the carrier and Lucky poked his head out, looking at Avery and June warily. But, he was a friendly cat despite hissing at Austin, and once I scooped him up—his eyes narrowed to slits and he started to purr.
I cradled him like a newborn and carried him around the bakery case, letting Avery and June croon over him. And he soaked it all up.
“I love him,” June professed.
“Me too,” Avery sighed. “Ugh, he’s so cute. Do you take him on walks too?”
“I do,” I said. “He’s my little guy. Also, I’d like to help get the rack out of the oven. It’s been off for a bit so it shouldn't be hot, but still. Once Lucky goes back in his carrier, I can help out.”
They exchanged glances, and June shrugged silently. Avery pressed her lips together, but then nodded, still scratching the top of Lucky’s head. “Okay. Sure. Also, I’m so sorry, I don’t thinkI caught it from Austin. What’s your name? You look so familiar, but I don’t remember why.”
“Oh, so sorry. I’m Nick.” I grinned. “I went to high school here. With Austin.”
“Oh.Oh.Oh my god, okay,” Avery laughed, shaking my hand too. “I’m starting to put puzzle pieces together. I remember you now. Sorry, it’s been a long time. And we were like thirteen when you graduated.”
“No worries,” I said. “I look a lot different now too.”
“I like your tattoos,” June said, eyeing them.
“Thanks.” I turned over one of my arms, showing them off. Lucky pressed his paws against my chest, claws pricking my shirt. “I like yours too. Is the artist local?”
“No. She’s about two hours away.” June held out her arms, turning them over. “Yours?”
“Up in New York,” I chuckled. “A tiny place next to my favorite bodega. She’s a great artist.”
“How the hell did you end up in New York?” June asked.
Before I could answer, Avery held up a hand. “Okay wait. Let’s catch up later. We can get the whole group together. Maybe without Austin, since I think he’d object. Or Dallas.”
June feigned a gasp. “My boyfriend is well behaved.”
