Page 19 of Penny & Royce

Leaning to the side, Penny attempted to catch a glimpse of what it could be, but Shelly blocked too much of the door. “What is it?”

“You’ll have to come out and see.”

Slowly, she stood.

Why was her heart suddenly racing?

She never got deliveries. Not to her office. Only her family would send her something, and they would deliver it to her home. There was only one person who would have sent something to her job.

Shelly released a giggle.

Penny exited her office to find a brown box on Shelly’s desk. But it wasn’t the box itself that threw her off. It was the tiny flash of white fur moving inside. A soft mew came from behind the little door, followed by the smallest thump.

Startled, Penny froze. Then she shot a look at her secretary. “Who delivered this?”

“Just some delivery guy. There’s a card.” Shelly rushed forward and plucked the card from the top of the box. Then she handed it to Penny.

With shaking fingers, Penny opened the card and read.

Hey Beautiful,

As much as I would love to believe you’re a dog person like me, something tells me that isn’t the case. You’re definitely a cat person. They’re quiet, live life on their own terms, and can take care of themselves if you have long hours.

This little girl needed a home, and your list made me think maybe you needed her too. I’ve taken the liberty of calling her Daytona, but you can change it if you want.

And if this is too much, there’s no pressure. The rescue said I could bring her back.

P.S. Clear your schedule tomorrow.

—Royce

Penny stared at the card for far too long.

Only one person had seen her list, and he’d made it clear with this gift that he intended to help her make at least part of it come true. Obviously, this was one of the easier ones to cross off, so she shouldn’t have been surprised.

But still.

A kitten?

Shelly squeaked out a sound of joy when a small white paw pushed through a hole. “Oh my gosh. I heard her meowing when the guy dropped her off on my desk. Who is she from?”

Penny couldn’t exactly explain Royce to Shelly. Not without also explaining the list, the parking lot, the two-week silence, and the fact that she still didn’t know his last name.

“She’s from Royce,” Penny said, trying to sound normal.

Shelly blinked at her. “Royce who?”

“That is an excellent question.”

Her secretary’s eyes widened. “Doctor Klein.”

“I know.”

“You got a kitten from a man whose last name you don’t know?”

Penny looked at the carrier again as another tiny mew slipped out. “Apparently.”

“What kind of man just gives you a kitten?”