Page 13 of The Griffin, the Tiger, and Their House Cat Omega

I doubted that.

“Babysitter Zevo at your service.”

Matthew started toward the door. Either which way, he was needed. But still, I didn’t like see him about to walk out.

“Well, good luck with that. You’re going to be reading at least 42,000 stories.”

“Not tonight,” Zevo said.

I said good night to her, and then, without thinking, found myself reaching for Matthew’s hand as we walked out front.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, yanking it back and shoving my hand in my pocket.

He shook his head. “Don’t be. I feel it too.”

“Weird, isn’t it? Like, everything feels like we should be mates, but our animals are like, ‘Yeah, no, hard pass.’”

Stupid tiger.

“I wouldn’t put it that way, but yeah. Exactly that.”

“Do you think it’s odd that he sent us upstairs?”

Matthew shrugged. “I don’t know him. It didn’t seem normal, but I’ve been working for humans, so maybe it is. I guess we’ll find out soon.”

“It doesn’t feel bad.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but there it was.

“Why does it sound like there is more to that story?”

“Because…there is, we just don’t know what it is yet.”

And this time, when I went to reach for his hand, I allowed myself to, giving it a quick squeeze.

Chapter Nine

Matthew

That was weird.

Little Flora was in her room getting ready for bed, and while she had been enjoyable company, we needed some time to speak, just the two of us.

And I absolutely should have said something to the manager about missing my appointment with…Oh gods who was the appointment with? Well, someone. I would give up my job for a mate, but it would be better if I didn’t have to.

Unfortunately I didn’t think of this until we had left the apartment and were waiting for the elevator. “We have to go back.”

River turned to look at me. “Did you forget something?”

“I did. I am here for a meeting regarding restaurant supplies, and I can’t remember who with, but I thought if I could at least tell Zevo, he might remind me. I never forget things like this, though. It’s very embarrassing.”

“We had better not go back, though,” he warned. “Flora is all settled in, and if she were to hear us we’d be risking a minor tantrum.”

“You’re not going to convince me that sweet girl would throw a fit.”

“No, not like that, but she has her ways of making her feelings known, and it would for sure delay us getting wherever we need to be. How about I send a text to Zevo and see what he says?”

The elevator doors slid open and I held them with one hand. “Deal. Probably need to do it before we get in the lift?”

“No, there’s good connectivity.” River stepped past me and I followed, letting the doors slide closed. He pulled out his phoneand tapped away for a moment then slid the device back into his pocked. “Done. He said you can reschedule at your convenience. No decision will be made on the contract until you’ve had a chance to make your pitch.”

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