Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“I just want them to like my food.”
I wrap my arms around him. “Your food is incredible. Of course they’re going to like it.”
“You have to say that,” he replies. “But I really want them to like it.” His phone starts to ring. “Can you get that?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say. “It looks like it’s the Delancy Vet.” Wasn’t that the place where we took the abandoned cat we found when I first moved in?
He nods. “Oh yeah. I meant to talk to you about that. Can you answer?”
“Talk to me about what?” I say, as I accept the call.
“Ben East,” he says into the speaker in that professional, businesslike mode that gets me so hot. Although Ben doesn’t have to do much to get me hot.
“The way you say that gets me so hot…” I whisper, and I start to unbutton the shirt I’m wearing again.
“I just wanted to confirm your time of collection as ten thirty Monday morning,” the speaker on his phone blares out. “We’ve completed all our tests now, and she’s had the vaccines.”
I’m super-confused.
“Ten thirty works. I’ll see you then.”
The phone goes dead and Ben acts like he didn’t just take a call from a vet talking about a ten-thirty appointment. He turns to the refrigerator and takes out some celery.
“Wanna tell me what you wanted to talk to me about?” I ask him.
“Oh yes. That was the vet. Ivy’s owner never claimed her.”
“Ivy?”
“The cat you found?” He puts down his knife and turns to me. “I know you don’t want children anytime soon, but I was wondering how you felt about a cat?”
“You want a cat?”
“Not just any cat. The cat that was outside the building. I figure we can give it a good home. And it seemed to like us. But if you’re not into it, then—”
He’s so earnest, so sincere as he talks. He’s really thought about it. About giving this homeless creature a place to live and human parents to love it. How could I say no? He’s so freaking adorable.
“I’m into it,” I interrupt. “Just when I think you can’t get any hotter, you go and suggest adopting a fluffy white kitten.”
“Is that a yes to the kitten?” he asks.
“It’s a yes, and I want to jump your bones for suggesting it.”
He grins, takes the dishtowel from his shoulder, and thwacks me with it. “You’ll get plenty after everyone’s left. Until then, go get a cold shower, get dressed, and then come back and help me.”
I roll my eyes and head out of the kitchen. He doesn’t know it, but I just have to get dressed. I wanted to distract him from his cooking. He takes it so seriously. He’s worried he’s going to start school at Easter and everyone’s going to know more than him.
Of course that’s not true, but ever since he got accepted into their executive program, he’s been poring over recipe books and testing all different types of ingredients. It’s good to see him so passionate about something.
And of course, he’s passionate about me. Ben’s love is something he doesn’t ever let me forget. I feel like a queen on the arm of a king. He packs me lunch every morning and always slips a note inside. He tells me that I look beautiful when I’ve just woken up and I know half my mascara is across my cheek. And he lies next to me while we watch romantic movies and reality TV. He’s really more than I could have dreamed of in a man.
He’s perfect. For me.
I pull on my jeans and the Empire State Building t-shirt that I bought from a street vendor this week and pad back to the kitchen to embark on some sous chef duties before welcoming our guests. We’ve only been an official couple just over a month, and this is the first time we’re hosting anyone. Or I guess it’s really Ben hosting. This isn’t my place, after all, even though I’ve stayed here every night since the night we confessed we loved each other.
And now we’re getting a cat.
Thank god Boston’s off the table. I can’t be a cat mom and be traveling all the time.
“What can I help with?” I ask as I enter the kitchen.
“That was quick,” he says as he glances up. “I like your t-shirt.” A knowing smile spreads across his face.
“It reminded me of us, so I had to buy it.”
“You see the Empire State Building every day. You can see it from every window in our apartment.”
“Our apartment?” I ask him.
“Yes. You can’t miss it.”
“I wasn’t…I mean, it’s not really our apartment. It’s your apartment.”
He freezes over his cutting board. “Is that how you feel? That’s not how I feel.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. A little, I think. It’s early days, and there’s no rush, so…”