Page 20 of Catnapped

“Whoa.” Mousey lets herself jump right up on the couch. “This place is swanky. A girl could get used to this.”

I glance over at Carson, expecting him to tell her to get her paws off the couch, but he doesn't. Not that she would listen. He brings in everything he bought, dropping some stuff by the elevator door and taking the rest into the living room area to place in the center.

I set my own bag down, along with a few of the bags I helped Carson carry up. “This place is really nice.”

Carson flicks his eyes around the loft like he’s taking it in for the first time and shrugs. “It works for what I need it for.”

I shift on my feet suddenly, feeling uncomfortable. I’m unsure of what he means by “what he needs it for.” Is it some sort of bachelor pad? The thought alone makes my stomach turn. Not only that Carson is rich. Not just well-off butrich. It’s a reminder that he’s so far out of my league.

“You okay?” Carson starts going through the bags and tosses out a cat toy that Mousey turns her nose up at.

“Yeah.” I go over and start digging into the bag too so I can get Mousey set up. Carson snags me by the wrist, stopping me.

“I got this. You should go get ready for dinner.”

“Get ready?” Does that mean there’s something wrong with what I’m wearing? I don’t think I have anything better. I hadn’t planned on doing anything fancy.

“I thought you might want to freshen up?” he offers.

“Right.” I step back, but Carson still keeps his hold on my wrist, so I don’t get far.

“What the hell?” Mousey pokes around at a stuffed bird. “He’s trying to drug me!” she accuses, but that doesn’t stop her from flicking the bird off the couch and chasing after it.“Catnip!”Mousey scratches before pouncing on the stuffed bird. She rolls over onto her side, holding it with her front paws while her back ones kick at it.

“You got Mousey high,” I playfully accuse him.

“What?” Carson turns to see what she’s doing. I manage to slip my wrist free from his hold. “She’s playing.”

“Catnip!”Mousey screeches again, tossing the bird into the air before jumping and catching it before it can hit the ground.

“It’s got catnip in it.” I giggle. “The toy.”

“She’ll be okay, right?” He starts to gather up the other toys he got out already.

“It’s fine,” I reassure him. “I’ll go freshen up.”

“The bathroom is that way.” He points toward a hallway.

“Thanks.” I grab my bag and make my escape before Carson tries to interrogate me. I lock the bathroom door behind me. Not that it would stop Carson, I’m sure.

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth and dig through my bag to find another dress. I pull out my favorite holiday one, but it’s not fancy. It’s a soft green with red poinsettias on it. I sewed my own pockets onto it, which I tend to do to all my dresses.

When I put it on, I hate it now because I know it’s not going to be nice enough. What if I faked a headache, I ponder while brushing my hair.

Ugh. It won’t work. I’m the worst liar in the world. He’ll never believe me. It will show all over my face. I’ll turn firetruck red. I decide that I’ll suck it up.I can do this,I tell myself in the mirror. My face starts to heat.

I can’t even lie to myself.

13

CARSON

“What?” May glances around nervously, her cheeks the slightest shade of pink.

“Hmm?”

“You keep looking. Is there something in my teeth?” She reaches for her lips.

I take her hand and keep it in mine on the table. “You’re perfect.”

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