Page 52 of Mistle-Ho

Cilantro gives me another sweet meow, and I bend down, intending to just pat her head. But the second I get close, she stretches up, paws resting against my thigh like she’s reaching for me. Like she wants me to hold her.

And I’m a dumbass sucker, because I do it. I pick up the feral cat named after dish soap herbs.

I am smart enough to close my eyes, though. Just in case.

But Cilantro doesn’t attack me. Nope. She cuddles close, continuing to rub against me like I’m her new best friend. Like I’m her favorite person in the world. Like everyone else is garbage.

That’s when it hits me. “Holy shit. She is so pissed at you she’s willing to be nice to me to make you mad.”

Gavin chuckles, seeming pleased at his cat’s manipulative tactics. “She’s a funny—” He reaches out, like he’s gonna pet her, and Cilantro’s head swivels his way, mouth opening wide in a fang bearing hiss.

“You be nice.” I gently chastise the cat, pulling her away just in case she decides to lunge. “He can’t help it if his fancy British neighbor couldn’t handle a lizard.”

“To be fair,” Gavin flips on the bedroom light, “Fynn wasn’t there when the iguana broke in.” He scans the room Cilantro tried to single pawdedly dismantle, looking over the boxes stacked inside. “I don’t think she broke anything. Just knocked over everything she could.”

I lean down to look Cilantro in the eyes. “You’re not too mad then, are you? If you were really mad, you would have shredded everything he owned.”

She answers me with a loud purr and a quick lick on the tip of my thumb.

Gavin rakes one hand through his hair, looking around the room then at the closed bathroom door. “I guess I’ve got to figure out what to do with the iguana.”

“Good luck with that. I don’t have a clue…” Wait. “I might actually know someone who can help.” I carry Cilantro into the bedroom, letting her go when she starts to wiggle free. She jumps up and circles the unmade bed, dropping down into a spot and kneading the sheets with her paws as I collect my cell and open up my contacts. “My boss has a giant snake, so he might know what to do.” I’m about to press Grant’s number when it starts to ring in my hand.

And my stomach hits the floor.

My eyes snap to Gavin. “It’s Leo.”

He stills. “You’ve gotta answer it.”

Holding one finger in front of my lips like Gavin doesn’t already know to keep his mouth shut, I connect the call. “Hello?”

“I need to talk to you about something. I’m on my way over.”

I clamp one hand over my mouth to stifle the panicked yelp that tries to sneak free. I’m an adult. Gavin’s an adult. We can do what we want. But Leo is already in a delicate state. I’m not sure how he might react to finding out I’ve seen his best friend naked, and I’m not so much in the mood to find out.

Plus, now that I know a little more about Gavin’s life, I don’t want to risk him being shut out by my brother over something ridiculous. And, given how reactive Leo’s been lately, there’s a good chance that might happen.

“Umm. Can you give me a little bit?” My brain races, trying to come up with a reason Leo would take seriously. “I’m waxing my butt crack.”

The. Fuck?

Of all the things I could have claimed, why—WHY—is that the one I chose?

Gavin’s brows jump high on his forehead as my face heats in embarrassment.

“Fuck, Alexis. You coulda kept that to yourself.” Leo blows out a sigh. “How about an hour? Does that give you time to put your ass crack away?”

“Yup. Thanks.” I’m barely paying attention as my brother hangs up because I’m too busy trying not to die of mortification.

I slide my phone into the pocket of my pajama pants, looking everywhere but Gavin’s face. “So, I’m gonna go.” I start backing toward the hall. “I hope you get the whole iguana situation figured out.” I spin and practically run for the door, snatching my bag and keys off the counter, face on fire as I continue my escape.

“Al.” Gavin says my name but I’m already turning toward the door, desperate to get the heck out of here before I go up in flames.

“Alexis.” This time he’s louder, but I keep going, managing to get the door part way open before a big hand slams against it, closing the steel slab with a bang that sends me jumping back.

Gavin props into place, leaning a shoulder on the frame as he lifts an eyebrow, staring at me expectantly. I try to step back, but his hand comes to grip my hip, pulling me closer to him. “Where are you going?”

I swallow hard, already getting distracted by his closeness. “I’m leaving. Leo’s coming to my place.”

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