Page 20 of Penny & Royce

Penny crouched in front of the carrier and peered inside.

The cat was a fluff ball of epic proportions. She had blue eyes that reminded Penny far too much of Royce’s, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done that on purpose. There was a small black spot on the cat’s left paw, but otherwise she was completely white.

Penny’s heart softened despite every logical objection marching through her mind.

“Come here, precious,” she crooned.

Shelly’s eyes widened comically. “Oh my goodness, she’s gorgeous. Can I hold her?”

Penny opened the carrier and carefully lifted the kitten into her arms first. The little thing immediately tucked herself against Penny’s chest and let out a tiny, rattling purr.

Oh no.

Penny was done for.

“To answer your question,” she said, looking at Shelly, “the kind of man who knows I’ve been considering getting a cat and probably realized I was too scared to follow through.”

Her secretary gaped at her. “Really? That’s… kind of sweet.”

It was more than sweet.

It was also too much. Too thoughtful. Too strange.

Penny ran one finger over the kitten’s soft head. “He did say I could say no.”

Shelly leaned closer, already melting. “But you’re not going to.”

Penny should have argued.

Instead, she looked down at the kitten. “No. I don’t think I am.”

Shelly let out another delighted sound and held out her arms. “Can I?”

Penny placed the kitten in Shelly’s arms.

Daytona.

The name was ridiculous.

And somehow perfect.

Shelly nuzzled her face into the cat’s fur. “She’s so soft. This makes me want to get one, too.” She shoved the cat toward Penny. “Here. Take her back before I get too attached.”

Daytona spent most of the day in Penny’s lap being petted. When Penny had clients come in for sessions, they were more than happy to give the kitten love as well. Within hours, Daytona had snuggled her way into Penny’s heart.

Royce had been correct.

Penny was a cat person.

The following day,Penny showed up at work even though she wasn’t seeing clients. Her nerves got the better of her, and her usual nausea returned. She had to take some medication to settle her stomach as she paced her office, waiting for Royce to arrive.

She had left Daytona at home in her kennel and planned to stop by the pet store later for anything Royce hadn’t already thought of.

But first, she had to get through a day with the man who had taken up far too much space in her head since the moment she’d seen him from her office window.

Shelly had come in that morning to get some appointments rescheduled, but then she’d left.

Now Penny was alone with her thoughts and anxiety.