Page 42 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“I’m sorry,” Mia said.
“Thanks,” Josie said. “Probably too much to hope for on the first try, right?”
“Right,” Mia agreed. “That was my takeaway from today’s date too.”
Josie laughed, lifting her hand to give Mia a high five. “Here’s hoping we both have better luck next time.”
12
Lauren’s chest tightened as she approached the table, because Josie was there, chatting with Mia. Despite everything, she half expected Josie to ask her to leave. But Josie only smiled as Lauren set her and Mia’s drinks on the table and pulled over an extra chair.
“Hi, Josie,” Lauren said as she sat.
“Hi.” Josie’s expression was open and warm, no trace of hurt or anger remaining, at least not that Lauren could see. “So how do you like working with cats?”
“Oh, I love it,” Lauren said, picking up her beer. “They’re so much fun, and it’s so satisfying to see them get adopted.”
“It is,” Josie agreed. “People always ask me how I’m able to let them go, why I don’t keep them all, but to me, there’s nothing more rewarding than finding them the perfect home. If I kept them, I wouldn’t be able to save more.”
Lauren smiled, relaxing in her seat. She’d missed Josie. They had gotten along so well for the few weeks Lauren had worked for her. “Yes. I totally agree.”
“One’s enough for me,” Mia said. “I love having Lola around, but I’ll leave the rest in the café.”
“Did Lola start out in the café?” Lauren asked.
Mia nodded. “I knew I wanted to adopt one, so I figured I’d wait until the perfect cat came along, but I fell in love with Lola right away. The café hadn’t been open a week before I brought her upstairs.”
“Aww.” Lauren grinned. “I love that.”
“I admit, when you adopted her so fast, I thought you might turn into a cat lady,” Josie said with a teasing smile. “I was worried you weren’t cut out for rescue.”
Mia shook her head. “Just the one. I haven’t been tempted to bring anyone else home.”
“Except Lauren,” Josie said, still with the teasing tone, and Lauren almost choked on her beer. She spluttered as she set it down, drawing an amused glance from Josie.
“Well, she hasn’t adoptedme,” Lauren managed. “I’m hoping to find someplace more permanent soon.”
“I’m sure you will,” Josie said. “All right, ladies, I need to get back upstairs. Eve should be home by now. Enjoy the rest of your night.” With a wave, she slipped off her stool and headed toward the hallway in back.
“They are so disgustingly in love,” Lauren said as she picked up her beer.
“They are.” Mia was already halfway through her drink and looking much more relaxed.
“Tell me more about Joy. You must have talked about something other than financial planning?”
Mia laughed softly. “No, that was pretty much the extent of our conversation. Then I got a text from Wendy, pretended it was a work emergency, and bolted.”
“At least you got your first date under your belt.” Lauren took a drink of her beer.
“I did,” Mia agreed. “My first ‘first date’ in eighteen years.”
“Sounds like a big deal to me. Kudos to you. Any other prospects?”
“A few.” Mia gestured for Lauren to move her stool closer.
Lauren scooted over so she could look at Mia’s phone with her. “Ooh, she’s pretty,” she said as Mia showed her a photo of a brunette named Diana.
“We’ve exchanged a few messages. I might meet her for a drink next week.”
