Page 65 of Love Decoded

She perks up instantly. “You don’t mind?”

Smiling, I shake my head. “No, Scarlett, I don’t mind.” I reach for the bag. “But I can’t promise I won’t take a slice as a delivery fee.”

She gives me a look that I think is supposed to be chastising, but it’s defeated when she says, “I put an extra slice in there for you already.”

“You know me too⁠—”

“Who is that?”

Scarlett and I startle at Nico’s outburst. When I turn toward him, I see him gaping at something in my kitchen.

Or more like, someone.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Charli says. “I just need to grab something from my coat.” But before she can make it to where her coat is hanging on a hook in the entryway, she sets eyes on Nico and Scarlett and freezes.

“I know you!” Nico exclaims, still shell-shocked. “You adopted the black cat.”

“That hated you,” Scarlett giggles.

Nico softens toward his girlfriend for a split second before his focus returns to Charli.

He knows Charli?

He knows Milton?

With perfect timing, Milton chooses that moment to strut down the hallway. With a graceful leap, he lands on one of barstools, settling in and staring at us.

“Lucas,” Nico says slowly. “Why is the cat that hated me in your apartment?”

Finally, it’s too much for me. I drag both hands down my face and ask, “Can someone please explain to me what’s happening here?”

“Before we do that,” Scarlett hurries to say, “my name is Scarlett.” She steps forward with a smile and extends her hand. “We didn’t exactly exchange names last time.”

Slowly, Charli reaches to shake Scarlett’s hand, a wrinkle of skepticism on her face. “I’m Charli.”

“It’s so nice to officially meet you,” Scarlett gushes. Stepping over to the kitchen counter, she lets Milton sniff her hand before cautiously brushing a hand over his fur. “And who is this handsome man?”

At that, Charli relaxes completely. Apparently, Milton’s approval is the end-all be-all.

I glare at him between the girls, silently judging him for not being my wingman with Charli.

“This is Milton,” Charli says. “I kept the name the rescue gave him.” She looks up at Scarlett, and then Nico, in turn. “Did you two adopt a pet that day, too? Or were you there for something else?”

“We were just volunteering,” Nico answers. Then he turns to me to put the rest of the puzzle pieces together. “That rescue organization you sent me to in New York? Scarlett and I saw Charli adopt Milton.” He flicks a glare on the cat, apparently another person on Milton’s list. “After he tried to slice my nipple off while I was recording that kitten video.”

Charli grins, scratches under Milton’s chin, and coos, “Good boy.”

I think I’m in love.

Apparently, Nico also appreciates the joke, because he chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m Nico, by the way. Since we’re doing official introductions.”

Charli only nods in return.

I’m still staring at her when Nico says, “So, now that we’ve explained how we met, anyone feel like explaining how you met?”

“Another time,” I say hurriedly. “Charli and I are…” I search my brain for an excuse that will get my brother out of my house in a way that won’t bring more questions. “We’re working on a case together. A very time-sensitive case. So if you don’t mind—” I gesture at my front door.

I refuse to turn around when I hear Charli muffle a snort with a cough. If I see her being cute right now, I might actually lose my mind.