Page 9 of Spookily Yours

Even if I was just her cat.

I curled up at the witch’s feet, and for the first night in weeks, I slept.

THREE

willow

Good morning, beastie,” I murmured to the black ball of fur, who was currently sitting up, licking his front paws as he lounged on my bed.

I’d put on my orange buffalo plaid comforter when I’d decorated the house inside for fall, and he almost looked like the perfect little stuffed animal laying on it. Especially when my decorative pumpkin pillow was against the pillow shams.

Meow.It was crazy to me how even though he was a fairly quiet cat, I almost felt like I could tell what he was thinking. What he wassaying,even with a simple meow.Good morning, human.

I’d slept better than I had in weeks last night. Was it because I’d known there was another being in the house? This old, creaky house could get lonely.

“I have to work today,” I said, petting him slowly. “But I won’t be gone all day—just for the morning rush—because Luna, my sister, she’ll need me. I don’t enjoy leaving her alone, you know?”

He chirped in agreement.

“I feel bad leaving you alone too, little beastie. But I’ll pick up more salmon on the way home, and then maybe we can watch another movie? Snuggle on the couch?”

Why was I narrating my entire day to the cat I’d just adopted yesterday?I couldn’t explain it, but the way he looked up at me with those gigantic eyes told me he understood, too.

Damien brushed up against my hand. Instantly, the contact centered me. Calmed me down. I’d never felt anything that gave me such an immediate sense of rightness, but I guessed that was a sign of good synastry between us.

I sighed.Time to get going.I didn’t want to leave my warm, cozy bed. Damien was basically a bed warmer with his cozy warmth keeping my feet nice and toasty.

Picking him up, I scratched under his chin before nuzzling at his face. “Who’s a cute little boy, huh?” He squirmed as I rubbed my nose against his cheek.

I laughed as he jumped out of my arms, moving to the other side of the bed to lick his paws.

Rejected from any further love, I finally forced myself out of bed. Shucking my shirt off, I whisked it into my dirty clothes hamper, the rest of my clothes following behind, and I headed to the bathroom.

Maybe after I’d had a solid few hours of work in the bakery, this strange feeling in my gut would go away.

I could only hope.

* * *

Luna’s hands were kneading a ball of cookie dough when I came into the kitchen area, unwrapping my scarf from around my neck and hanging it up on a hook.

“How was your night?” She narrowed her eyes on me.

I winced. “I’m sorry for canceling our plans. It’s just… I took your advice.”

“Looking into your future?” Luna perked up.

“No.” Snorting, I went to pull my hair back so I could help her with prep. “I went to the shelter.”

“Oh. And?”

“And… I got a cat.”

She blinked. “That soon?”

“Uh-huh.” I whipped around from the fridge, where I’d been grabbing the heavy cream to make some fresh whipped toppings for drinks. “What do you mean,that soon?You’re the one who told me togo.”

“Yeah, but I figured you’d avoid it for another few months. That’s what you always do.”

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