Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
The brief pricks of discomfort were totally worth it as the kitten curled up in her lap to purr contentedly. Aria stroked the soft furball and fell in love. “He’s a sweetheart.”
“She. Most calicos are girls. That one is a lover. She’ll make someone a good companion. We do help with adoptions if you’re looking for a cat,” CC shared.
“Oh! I’d love to but…”
“I’m afraid we’re here just to enjoy the cats and our coffee today,” Cameron added smoothly.
“Of course. That teenager over there has her eye on the kitty in your lap. She brought in her parents today to meet her. Would you mind if I tempt the family with the calico?” CC asked.
Instantly, Aria scooped the kitten up and kissed her forehead for luck before handing her over to CC. She watched the coffee shop owner carry the precious cargo to the teenager who greeted the delightful creature with the name Fireball.
“She’s already named it,” Aria whispered to Cameron, finding his eyes fixed on her instead of the sweet scene taking place across the room. Unused to being the center of anyone’s attention, she felt her cheeks heat.
“I think that purr baby has found a home,” Cameron agreed. “Tell me when they grab a clipboard and start filling it out.”
“The dad is holding it now, and Fireball just rubbed her face against his nose. The mom is pushing her chair back. Yes! She just grabbed a clipboard. Fireball has a home,” Aria cheered in a hushed tone that didn’t take away the excitement she felt.
Collapsing back against the seat, she turned her attention to Cameron. “I love this place. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I can tell you this is the most fun I’ve ever had here. Who else do you think is going home with a cat?” Cameron asked.
“There’s an older lady over there. She has a whole audience of felines ranging around her. I can’t tell you if she’ll take a cat home, but I can feel the love she has for all of them from here,” Aria said, feeling her eyes fill with moisture. There had to be a story there—probably a sad one.
“I know that one. That’s Edith Hanson. She has a foundation to take care of street cats. The last I heard, she only takes care of elderly cats because at her age, she doesn’t want to leave a cat without a home.”
“That’s sad and sweet. I bet she comes here to watch the kittens. They’re so mischievous,” Aria said, pointing to one who had stolen a wooden coffee stirrer off a table and was batting it around the floor.
“Almost all Little creatures have a playful side,” Cameron said with a meaningful look. “What do you like to do for fun, Aria?”
“I’m really boring. I go to work. I hang out with my friends I’ve had since high school when they can get away from their husbands and kids. A few weeks ago, my last single friend got married.”
“Does that mean you feel like you’re missing out?”
“Oh, no. I mean, of course, I’d like to have someone special in my life. But it has to be the right someone special,” she added, hoping he’d understand. To her delight, he nodded his head, agreeing with her.
“That’s very wise, Aria. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-four. How old are you?”
“I’m thirty-four. Do you think that’s too old for you?” Cameron asked with a serious expression.
“No. Not at all. If you were forty-four, that would be old. Well, too old for me. Probably.” Aria wanted to shut up, but her mouth kept going.
“I agree. Twenty years between our ages could be too much. Would you like me to tell you a few things about me?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
She didn’t care what type of information he told her. Aria was interested in gaining insight into all the facets of his life. She’d never been more fascinated by a man after spending such a small amount of time together.
“I went to college in Indiana before landing a job here. It was a great adventure to move away from my family to be a grownup and focus on my career. I like it here. I really can’t see myself living anywhere else.”
He paused for a minute and Aria nodded in agreement. “I like it here, too.”
“In my free time, I love to cook, hike, and play a variety of sports.”
“I’m not very athletic,” she confessed.
“That’s okay. I’m not a stellar athlete at anything. I just play to have fun. I like people.”
“That makes you good at your job in human relations,” Aria observed.
“It helps. Some days are crazy. But my work isn’t everything. I started bartending at Blaze because I wasn’t meeting the one woman I need in my life. Every night, I kept my eyes open for the someone special I knew was out there.”