Page 10 of Keystrokes and Kittens

“I’m fine.” Quick. Automatic. Anything that would get things moving along. He’d said he had an idea and then he’d disappeared.Is he going to bring it up? Am I supposed to bring it up? What’s the protocol for this situation? And, while I’m asking inane questions…when might I get to kiss him again?

That thought had tires screeching on pavement in my head. No. I didn’t want to kiss him again. The last time had ended disastrously. Why on earth would I want to dothatagain?

“If I grab you a sandwich, can you eat it? How about a protein shake you can sip?” Soren’s brow knit.

“I’m really okay. You said something about having an idea?”

The door opened and Mark strode into the store. He waved, then headed to the cat department. He could take care of himself.

Soren moved closer.

I held my ground.

“So, I called Noah.”

I frowned. “Uh, why?”Please let it not be about Christmas. I can’t handle that right now.

“Because I was asking about how to introduce Tibby to the kittens.”

My frown intensified.

Mark dropped a bag of kibble and a box of litter on the counter.

Mechanically, I scanned the items and gave him the total.

He peeled off the money.

I gave him the change.

He saluted and was gone. I’d never known him to be chatty, so I just waved.

In fact, I was only chatty to customers. Outside of the store, I was a downright disaster in the chitchat department. Small talk wasnotmy friend.

I turned my attention back to Soren. “Tibby and kittens.”

“Right. Since I’m going to be helping you, and I can’t leave Tibby alone—” He squinted. “No, that’s not right. Tibby’s fine when I leave her alone. I just prefer not to.”

“You’re going to help me?” I rubbed my forehead. “How does that work?”

“Well—” He shut his mouth. Then he opened it. Tried to speak. Then closed it again.

“Look, I appreciate—”

“I’m just thinking they’d be better off at my place. I can feed them during the day and we can alternate at night. I mean, I guess I could bring my laptop to your place, but I don’t know your setup and—”

I waved my hand. “What are you talking about?”

“Helping you. You obviously can’t handle this alone. And the kittens are so cute. I was just worried about how Tibby might be around them. Noah assures me she’ll be fine, but he said he’ll come around tonight to help with the introduction. So I’m thinking if you move in with me, then it’ll work best. You’ll have a longer commute to work each day, but you can handle that, right? God, I didn’t even ask if you have a car. Do you? I mean, you can certainly borrow mine. Although that would leave me without transportation. I live on Big Butte Lake. You know that, right? Picturesque. But isolated. Are you okay—”

I waved my hand. I’d never heard so many words come out of his mouth before. Hell, out of anyone’s mouth. “You’re suggesting I move in with you?”

“Until the kittens are sleeping through the night.” He smiled. “Look, I know plenty of single people raise kids.”

I blamed the fact I couldn’t make the connection on lack of sleep.

“But if you can get help, then why not accept it?”

That was perfectly logical. Sound reasoning. Absolute brilliance.