Page 25 of Interference

As I settled on the couch, Lily gazed at me with big brown eyes. I’d kept a few pieces of meat on the edge of the plate specifically to share with her, so I gave her one, which had her tail wagging.

Of course, the cats immediately joined me on the couch. Bear sat on the cushion beside me while Moose perched primly on the armrest. I still wasn’t used to how big they were, and being flanked like this was almost intimidating. Even Lily gave them each a little side-eye before focusing on me (and my sandwich). She was trained to concentrate on me and nothing else, but she still maintained situational awareness, and I didn’t think even the strictest trainer would fault her for noticing a pair of giant cats looming over both of us.

When I’d been watching the hockey game earlier, I’d taken off her vest so she could chill for a while. She’d passed out in the middle of the living room floor, and Moose had come over to check her out. I could only imagine how startled she’d been to open her eyes and discover this giant gray creature peering down at her and tapping her snout with his monster paw. She’d jumped, which in turn made him jump, but then they’d sniffed noses and relaxed. Lily thought that meant they should play, but Moose just walked off in search of something more interesting, leaving her wearing a puzzled expression.

A few minutes later, she’d managed to goad Bear into playing with her. He seemed confused (though I was beginning to think that was his natural state), and she was happier than I’d seen her in ages.

I hoped her trainer wouldn’t be mad at me for giving Lily more downtime and playtime while we were here. She was still focused on me when I needed her, but man, after everything she’d been through, I just couldn’t resist letting her relax for a change. Maybe that made me a bad handler. Or maybe that ship had already sailed around the time I’d been unable to keep us housed.

Play with the kitties, Lily. I don’t care what it does to your training as long as you get to be happy for a little while.

Right now, she had her chin on my thigh, and though her eyes flicked to each cat now and then, she was mostly focused on me. Well, somewhat on me. I had no doubt that more than a few brain cells were zeroed in on my sandwich.

“You guys are like pigeons,” I told my gathered audience. “Or seagulls. Definitely seagulls.” I looked at Bear. “Did you know that you’re huge?”

He stared back at me with wide eyes, almost as if my question really did blow his tiny cat mind. I chuckled and petted him.

Something brushed against my finger, and I turned to see Moose pawing at the hand holding the sandwich.

“Excuse you,” I said. “That’s mine.”

Like Bear, he stared at me, but his face read more like, “The fuck did you just say to me, human?”

I laughed and took a bite of my sandwich. I’d never had cats before—didn’t dislike them, just never had one—and I was starting to think I’d been missing out. These two had personality to spare, and their expressions could be hilarious.

A low rumble made Lily and me jump. Both cats turned their heads, and Moose started purring, kneading on the armrest with his massive paws.

A moment later, the door opened, and Anthony came in, and—

Oh. Wow.

He’d been wearing an overcoat when he left this afternoon, but now that was draped over his arm. Without the coat in the way, I had a glorious view of a perfectly tailored green suit. It sat beautifully on his shoulders and emphasized his long, lean body. And holy shit, those thighs.

I opened my mouth to say hello, but right then, Bear took advantage of my distraction and made a grab for my sandwich. “Hey!” I pulled it away, though not before he’d taken a bite. “What the hell, dude?”

He stared back at me with a mouthful of lettuce and a face full of confusion.

I snorted. “Not what you wanted, was it?”

He started spitting out the lettuce, looking for all the world like he was completely baffled and that I’d insulted all his ancestors somehow.

And in that moment of distraction, Moose made his attack from my other side, yanking an entire piece of cheese free.

“What—seriously?”

Anthony laughed as he shrugged off his suit jacket. “I did tell you that you’ve gotta watch those two around food.”

“You did. And I know. Just keep letting down my guard.” I met Lily’s soulful eyes, which asked why the kitties had had bites and she hadn’t. With a groan, I pulled a piece of meat out of the sandwich and handed it to her. Then I got up and hobbled over to the kitchen island. Not that my food would be any safer there—Bear had jumped up on the other island and was arching his back and purring as Anthony petted him.

“Hey, buddy.” Anthony smiled, though there was a hint of sadness. “You miss me?”

Bear bumped his head against Anthony’s hand, then turned in a circle, back still arched. Anthony scratched behind the cat’s giant ear, and Bear flopped onto his side, nearly knocking over a bottle of dish soap next to the sink with his long tail. Anthony, still smiling halfheartedly, scratched Bear’s belly while the cat’s giant paws kneaded in the air.

Moose joined him on the counter, and he ignored Bear swatting at him as he, too, demanded affection from Anthony.

“I think they did miss you,” I said. “I swear I wasn’t ignoring them today.”

Anthony chuckled almost soundlessly. “You’re good. They can have my nephews over, playing with them all day long, and they’ll still act like this as soon as I get home.” He tousled Moose’s ears, which earned him a swat. “You should see them when I’ve been gone for a few days.”

---