Page 31 of Strawberry Cake

“If you want to talk about it, I’m going to listen, but I won’t press you.”

“That’s actually super sweet of you.”

“And here I thought you wanted to bemysugar.”

He laughed, remembering their convo in the shower. “I did say that.” Since she’d been so accepting, Decan decided he had nothing to lose by being honest with her. “Since I’ve left rehab and started feeling better, Marco wants me to get back to our old scene. I’ve been avoiding everyone but him. I mean, they heard about the accident and reached out, but the bad days were too much for most of them.”

“So, you got triggered by the invitation to a car meet-up?”

“How did you know it was a car meet-up?”

“The internet is my best friend.”

“Oh…”

“Too nosy?”

“No, it’s not.” He let his head drop back and looked up at the ceiling. “He thought it would be nice if I took you.”

“Ah, I see why that would be nice. You two could ask me about blinker fluid and laugh at my reaction.”

“Damn, you already know about the blinker fluid?”

Hope laughed, and the sound made Decan’s stomach flutter. “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Are you volunteering again today?” he asked, steering the conversation in a different direction.

“Yeah, I’m just leaving now.”

“Will you message me when you’re back home?”

“Of course.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.”

He tried to focus on the manuscript again, but it led to a lot ofbreaks as his attention started to wander. When a photo of Hope’s bright grin and a grey grumpy-looking cat lit up on his screen, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Looks like you have a new friend.

Oh, we’re well acquainted. He’s just having a hard time being adopted so I’m giving him our weekly cuddle session.

Why does no one want him?

He’s old and grumpy and only has three legs. Most want cute little kittens.

What would one need to do to adopt an old grumpy fellow like him?

Just come by, see if they get along and then if all goes well fill out some paperwork.

Your shift ends soon, doesn’t it?

Yes, 30 more min.

I’ll meet you there.

Forty minutes later, he parked in front of the shelter. He hadn’t started his day with the desire to adopt an old, grumpy cat, but he remembered that shelters tended to euthanize animals when they got too full. Hope grinned as she met him halfway in the parking lot.