Page 13 of Titus

“You can do whatever you want, babe. It’s your apartment. Now, I honestly need to get ready to leave.”

“That’s the thing. Cassy is allergic, and our landlord won’t allow animals.”

“I’m not taking the cat,” I said. “If you and your partner can’t convince your place to allow you to keep the poor guy⁠—”

“Can I take him to the new place in Newport?”

“Aria,” I sighed, annoyance creeping in, “we aren’t leveling up, massively upscaling our office just to have some cat roaming the place. God, woman, you need to pull it together. No. And there’s no way in hell I’m asking for pets to be allowed.”

“There isn’t an alley or anything for him?” she asked meekly, making me wonder if this is how women with persistent, big-hearted children feel when they have to say no to their sweet, well-meaning, stupid ideas.

“There’s a damn shelter for stray animals in the area, I’m sure of that,” I answered. “Listen, I really need you to pull it together for me. If you’re a mess like this, I’m going to have Kim take the lead on the Porter event while you find a home for the cat.”

She sighed, “Maybe it’s best he stays where he is.”

I stared at myself in the mirror, my chocolate brown eyes looking through my own soul, wondering if I was the bitch here, or if Aria was just emotionally attached to everything from the old place.

“Listen, if I let you take the damn cat, what happens when you fall in love with a rat or a raccoon next? This isn’t a Disney movie, babe. We don’t just scoop up strays off the street and parade them into brand-new office buildings we’re moving into,” I said, rolling my eyes at the fact that I was even having this conversation in the first place.

“You’re right,” she sighed. “I’ll just come visit him.”

“You know, this probably should’ve been a conversation for you and Jules to have. He would’ve had a bigger heart than I do about the situation,” I said. “But for now, I honestly need to hang up. I have this event tonight, then our big opening is tomorrow morning. I need you to be ready for that.”

“Understood,” she said. “It was worth a shot to ask, though.”

I glanced at the time on my phone. “Twenty minutes of wasted time, my sweet friend.” I smiled. “See you tomorrow, and if anything comes up, call Jules.”

“Love you, Cat.”

“You too, sweetie.”

I was in my closet three seconds later when I heard my phone ringing again. “God almighty, I’m never going to make it to this fucking thing,” I hissed, pulling on the strapless burgundy gown I had tailored for tonight’s welcoming gala hosted by the owners of the building.

I glanced down and smiled, Avery Mitchell. “Hey, honey,” I said, answering.

“Jim’s running behind,” she said. “Apparently, something held him and Spencer up at the office longer than expected.”

“That works for me,” I replied. “In fact, I might just call a driver if I’m ready earlier than planned.”

“You’re arriving with us,” Avery said with a laugh.

“Listen, all the elites will be at this thing, although I have no idea why. It’s just a welcoming event for the ones leasing out of this building, but everyone knows Newport Beach works differently.”

“Orange County wealth works differently, honey,” she chuckled. “Different wealth in South OC.”

I smiled. “That’s exactly why I don’t want to be late. There’s business to be made with all the mingling I’ll be doing tonight.”

“Damn, I admire how bold you are.”

I laughed. “I’ll text you when I’m ready, and if you’re on your way, you can pick me up; if not, I’ll just go ahead. Being late to my own party would definitely make me look bad in front of these people.”

“Well, there’s a reason Jim prefers you ride with us,” she said.

“Huh?” I questioned. “If he’s setting me up with a man⁠—”

“More like keeping you safe from one,” she interrupted. “Seems the guy who owns your building might want more from you than just your lease check.”

I frowned. “I’m completely stumped,” I replied. “And trust me, I’m the one who decides whether anyone gets more than the money I owe them.”