Page 60 of Billion Dollar Lesson

„Oh, you’re British?” she asks.

„Half. My father is from England, but I grew up in the States,” I say.

„I was going to say, you don’t sound British at all,” she replies, before adding a wink. „Sadly.”

„Sorry, to disappoint,” I mock, while I rummage through one of the cabinets to find something for her feet. „For you.”

I place a pair of fuzzy slippers in front of her. She smiles at me, as she slips into them.

„Such a gentleman,” she says. „Thank you.”

I put on my own pair and close the belt of my robe, before meeting her expectant eyes again. She looks happy and satisfied, but there’s a trace of uncertainty in her expression, as if she was quietly asking me: „What now?”

„Now, I ask you if you want to stay the night,” I reply to her unspoken question.

„Do you…do you want me to?” She utters while fidgeting with her fingers. „It’s okay if you don’t—”

„I want you to stay,” I say truthfully. „I would love you to.”

Her face brightens up instantly. „I would love that, too.”

„Would you care for a midnight snack?” I ask. „I know it’s late, but I’m starving.”

„Me too!” she exclaims, laughing. „Yes, please. I’d love a snack.”

„Let’s see what we can find.” I offer her my hand, before leading her out of the bathroom.

We are greeted by a loud meow and a pair of striking green eyes, when we open the door that leads into the dark basement corridor.

„Pi!” Claire squeals, before the cat walks up to her, rubbing against her legs.

„I think she likes you,” I say. „That naughty little stalker.”

Claire goes down on her knees and picks up the tiny cat, who instantly nestles against her chest with another meow.

„She never lets me do that,” I say, as I watch in surprise. „I thought none of them liked to be picked up.”

„Looks like she doesn’t mind,” Claire says while cuddling the little ball of fur in her arms. „She’s so cute. They all are.”

We are met by Zeta at the top of the stairs, who greets us with an even louder meow, quickly followed by Alpha and Omega, who both appear out of nowhere, as if following their mother’s call.

The sound of their little paws follows us into the kitchen, and when Claire puts Pi down on the floor, her brothers gather around her to play.

„So, you’re keeping them then?” Claire asks while watching the little gang with an amused smile on her face.

„I…haven’t decided,” I say. „I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”

„Why not?” she wants to know as she climbs up on one of the high chairs at the kitchen island.

„It’s…. I just never thought about having cats,” I say. „Or pets in general. I’m not sure if I’m cut out for it.”

„Cut out for it?” Claire repeats, one eyebrow raised. „They’re cats. They don’t need much, just food and a lap to cuddle on. And you do have the space for it.”

Her eyes trail around the large living area before settling on me in the kitchen again. „Do you…own this entire house?”

I nod. „Yes.”

„Wow…” she mutters under her breath, looking intimidated. I can sense the question dancing at the tip of her tongue, but she doesn’t dare to give voice to it, most people don’t.

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