Page 27 of Unforeseen Love

“Anyway, I can drop the kittens off after work. I just thought under the circumstances it just made sense. I don’t know why I didn’t think to ask them straight away.”

She brings Bucky up to her face and kisses his nose.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thank you.”

I hold my hand up to my chest and gasp loudly.

“Hold up… did you just say thank you?”

Her bottom lip twitches, and I know she’s trying to hold back a smile.

“I did, but don’t push it,” she says, but there is zero conviction in her words.

And as easy as it would be to push it, I don’t. I know when to take the win and walk away.

ChapterSeventeen

Sienna

“Are you ready to say bye?” Theo asks me one last time as he loads the box into the footwell of the passenger seat.

I already gave the kittens extra cuddles upstairs while he was loading all the bits he bought from the supermarket the other night into the car.

He steps back and rounds the car to the driver’s side, while I lean in and give them all another scratch behind the ears. I can feel him watching me and carefully shut the door. Theo raises his hand and then he pulls away as I head back upstairs.

It already feels too quiet without them here, and considering I’m not even a cat person, I’m a little taken back by how much I miss them when they were only here for a few days.

I’d love to adopt Bucky, but now I know this is actually Theo’s place, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying here, especially once the restrictions are eased.

Which brings me back to Theo. Who knew he was actually––dare I say––responsible enough to be a homeowner, as much as I had him pigeonholed––it wasn’t difficult either, not after all the taunts at Uni. I just thought he was an idiot, but he clearly had the brains––other than that, all I saw was a male chauvinist pig.

Maybe when I start looking for somewhere, I can find out if they allow pets, unless I decide to bite the bullet and apply for my mortgage. I mull it over as I make my way back to my room, grab my book, and flop down on my bed.

And yet again, another page has been dog-eared. He needs to stay out of my room. Landlord or not, he’s overstepping, but then I guess he probably feels a bit weird asking to borrow my book. Well, it could be worse, he could crack the spine… the thought makes me shiver. I can just about cope with a dust cover being taken off while reading or an occasional crease in the page when there isn’t a bookmark, but cracking a spine… nope, that’s sacrilege.

My phone vibrates and I hold it above me, swiping the screen.

Quinn: How is he who shall not be named?

I laugh, loving how she always has my back.

Me: He’s taking the kittens to Ewan and Meredith’s *sad face.

The sound of a phone ringing catches my attention, but after a few rings, it cuts off. It immediately starts up again, and after the fourth time, I can’t bear to hear it again and go in search of it. Theo must have left his mobile here.

It’s on charge in the kitchen just as I reach it, and it cuts off again. Maybe whoever it is will get the message… or not, as the offensive tune hits my ears again.

“For fuck’s sake.”

I pick it up and the caller ID reads Orla.

Swiping the screen, I bring it to my ear. “Theo’s phone,” I say when I answer.

“Who the hell are ye?” says a nasally Irish accent.

Rude much? “Sienna,” I reply. I’d ask who she is, but honestly, I don’t really give a shit.

“Why are ye answering my man’s phone?”

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