Page 50 of The P*ssy Next Door

Thankfully it would be after the Mustangs' game. The guy who called said something about a family game night and wanting room to spread out and snacks that he didn't have to make. The shop would be perfect for that, and they were going to pay my shiny new café rental rate of a hundred bucks an hour plus the cost of food and beverages.

That Friday was the cat adoption event, and my day dawned bright and early, this time in Hayes's bed. He came with me to the shop before sunrise to help set up the play area for the cats and make sure everything was perfect.

“Good luck today, babe. I'll be back early, it's just run through of a few plays for the KC game.”

I gave him a slightly distracted kiss on the cheek. “Okay, I'll see you later. Don't be surprised if we accidentally end up with a new cat.”

He stopped dead in his tracks and grinned like a loon.

“What?”

He jogged back over to me and gave me a ridiculously hot kiss. “I just like that you're thinking about us doing things like that together.”

Was I? I guess I was. Instead of the idea of making a commitment like that with him scaring me, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. “I'll make a cat dad out of you yet.”

Just as long as he didn't get ideas about being a baby daddy anytime soon. No way either of us were ready for anything like kids.

When the shelter volunteers arrived with a dozen adorable felines in tow, I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of excitement. They were just so darn cute.

“Thank you so much for coming to do this.” I shook hands with the woman who was my contact. “I'm very excited to have the cats here.”

“We're excited that Cool Beans is still willing to host.”

Still willing? “Umm, did something happen to make you think we wouldn't?”

“Oh, you know, just that time when one particularly feisty tabby managed to escape the play area and led us on a merry chase around the shop.” She shook her head and laughed. “But once we got him safely out of the espresso machine, things ran smoothly from there.”

Well, that explained a lot.

It was a good thing I'd added extra staff for today because we were packed from the moment the shop opened. It probably helped a ton that Marie Manniway stopped by first thing and posted a shot of a fluffy cat named Princess Moondrop sitting on the table next to her Calico Cappuccino with the cat design in the foam and a slice of almond bis-cat-i.

So many customers came in and cooed over the playful kittens, falling in love left and right. My cat-themed drinks and bakery items were a huge hit. To my surprise, the Tabby Tea Latte with orange pekoe sold out because it was so popular.

By midday, we'd already had six adoptions and the shop was purring with a happy, lively energy that made my heart swell. This was what I thought the shop should be like all the time.

I was just saying goodbye to a newly adopted black cat and his new owner who promised to come to the spicy romance book club when, to my surprise, Xander walked in. He was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes taking in the festive decorations and the playpen full of frolicking felines.

“This is pretty cool, Willabean. I don't think I've ever seen the place this busy.” He pulled me into a big bear hug, lifting me off my feet. “I had no idea you could pull off something like this.”

“Thanks.” I think. “It was a lot of work, but I'm so glad it's running so well.”

Xander released me, his expression turning serious. “Listen, sis. I know you're probably going to the Mustangs game on Sunday and all, but I was sort of hoping you might come to my game on Saturday.”

I didn't know what to say. Maybe he really was trying to be good about Hayes and I being together. Even if he hadn't said another peep to Hayes since the night he crashed on his couch.

I had been planning on sneaking into the hotel again, since this was a home game and I didn't have to close the shop for the whole weekend to be with him. But if Xan was really offering an olive branch, I was going to take it. “Sure, I haven't been to one of your games in years. It will be... weird.”

He grinned, ruffling my hair like he used to when we were kids. “Yeah, yeah. Don't go getting all mushy on me. Now, how about you introduce me to these furry little matchmakers?”

As I watched Xander cradle a tiny orange kitten, making silly faces at it, I couldn't help but feel like everything was falling into place.

The shop was thriving, my relationship with Hayes was stronger than ever, and now, even Xander was coming around.

Life was good. Really, really good.

And as I looked around at the smiling faces of my customers, the playful antics of the cats, and the love and support of my friends and family, I knew one thing for certain.

I was exactly where I was meant to be today.