Page 69 of Cats Never Fly

“No.He’sokay.He’sa little strange, but a lot of people inWillowLakeare weird.”

“Perfect.Thenlet’s go.I’dlove to get to know him and the others.Ithoroughly enjoy strange and weird people.”

Afew minutes before seven, we were sitting inSimon’scar outside theWillowLakePubandInn.Irecognized the area.Thiswas close to whereSimonhad been when he’d blown the whistle.Van’svehicle had been in this same lot that night.Ihadn’t paid much attention to anything butSimonat the time, but nowItook it all in.

Theold brick building was rundown, the type of placeI’dbeen looking for whenIfoundTheDrunkenDrake.Ithad character, but needed… well,Iwould sayTLC, but a ruthless and critical approach would serve it better, along with lots and lots of money.

“Areyou sure you want to do this?”Simonasked, making no move to get out.Whateverhappy euphoria had clung to us since we’d made love had diminished during our trip to the pub.

“Ifyou don’t want to, we don’t have to go, kitty cat,”Ireassured him.Ibrushed my hand over his arm.Heliked it whenIpetted him, soIdid it again.

“Ifyou’re really moving here…”Helet his sentence hang between us uncompleted.

“Iam.”Inodded, not sure where he was going with his thought.

Hesighed. “Thenyou should meet more people than my family.”

Helooked so apprehensive.Ipetted him some more.

“Ican meet them anytime.”

Aknock at my window made us both jolt.Howin theMagichad someone caught us both by surprise?Ispun around to seeVanleaning over and peering through the window at us.

“Youcoming in?” he asked.Hisquestion was muffled becauseIhadn’t rolled down the window, butIheard him well enough.Iwaved him off.Helaughed, but at least he left.

“Iguess we have to go in now,”Simonmuttered. “Theyknow we’re here.”

“Wereally don’t.”Ididn’t enjoy seeing my cat so agitated. “Doyou not like the place?”

“Icome here two or three times a week,” he admitted.

“Oh?”Wait. “Areyou embarrassed to be seen out with me?”

Simon’sgaze leaped to mine. “Magic, no!That’snot it at all.Ijust…You’reyou.You’regoing to meet all of them and wonder whyMotherMagicstuck you with me.You’reamazing.I’mjust…”Heshrugged. “JustSimon.Justa cat.”

“Stopthat,”Isnapped.

Hecringed.

Thatwas not whatI’dintended.Ihated hearing him talk about himself that way.AndIhated he was parroting back the wordsI’dsaid that first night.

“Simon,Icould never be disappointed with you.TheEternalMagicdoesn’t make mistakes.Iguess it’ll take some time for you to realize that, butI’mthrilled to have found you.I’dgiven up on finding my fated mate, and now here you are.Doyou even know the last timeItook someone to my bed?”

Simongrowled.

“I’mnot saying that to make you jealous,”Isaid quickly. “Ijust…I’msaying this all wrong.WhatI’mtrying to explain is thatIchose you.Evenbefore our magics put on their little show for us.Ichose to be with you.”

“Itwas the whistle.”

“Ofcourse it wasn’t,”Iscoffed.

“Youdon’t think so?”

“No.”

“Idon’t want you to regret us.Regretme.”

“Never.”