Page 113 of Play Pretend

“Oh, I had to leave him at the vet for a few days.” I threw my thumb over my shoulder. “Can I come in?”

“Yes. Sorry. Yes.” He stepped aside and waved his hand toward the living room. My laugh was cut short when I saw the bags of stuff littering the couch and coffee table.

“What’s all this?” I asked, putting my purse on the hook by his jacket and kicking my shoes off.

“I didn’t know what to get, so the kid at the store helped me. I’m still setting up the cat tree, but the water and food bowl are back there—” He pointed at the kitchen. “And the litter box is in the spare bathroom. Everything else is toys and treats, and—what’s wrong?” Tears streamed down my cheeks as I took everything in. “Willow? Baby?” Ronan moved in front of me and pressed his hands on my shoulders. “What did I do? Oh my god. I’ll take it all back. Is it the cat? Is he—is he?—”

“He’s fine,” I sniffled, reaching up to wipe my cheeks. “He’s—he’s mine—ours. If you want him.” Every time I looked at the bags, at the half put together cat tree, more tears came. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“The cat needs it,” he said, shrugging.

“I know. I just—I didn’t expect you—this—” I wiped my face again. “Thank you, Ro.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck as he dropped his hands to my waist. “I missed you today, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice vibrating against my neck.

“I missed you, too.” He shifted his face to press his lips against mine, and when he pulled away, I was breathless. “We have to think of a name for him.”

He flashed me a grin. “Alright, baby. We’ll figure it out.”

I took a deep breath, and a knot in my chest loosened, one I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying all day. I tugged him into another hug, just needing to feel his arms wrapped around me, his safety, his warmth.

The heavy weight I’d felt all day melted away with each beat of his heart.

My gaze flitted around the room again. “You didn’t have to do this, you know,” I muttered, my voice wavering.

“Of course I did.” He said it so matter-of-factly, like there hadn’t been another option. “He’s ours, and I want him to have everything he needs.”

“You make it sound like it’s no big deal.” I laughed, pulling away from him.

“Because it’s not.” He brushed my hair behind my ear, his gaze melting into warm pools of blue. “Taking care of you, and now this cat, will never be a burden to me, baby. It’s just…what I want to do.”

Slowly, my smile faded. I flicked my eyes between his, my heart thudding wildly in my chest. “I’m not used to this,” I admitted. “I’m not used to anyone—to aman—showing up for me like this.”

His jaw tensed as he cupped my cheek. “Get used to it, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere, and I won’t stop doing it.”

My chest rose as I took a deep breath. I didn’t know what to say to that. He was—there weren’t enough words in the world to describe what Ronan Caldwell was. Amazing didn’t feel like enough.

“So,” he said, stepping away. “What should we name him?”

I laughed softly. “I don’t know. How about Ronan Jr.?”

He snorted. “How about…”

“We have time,” I said, waving dismissively. “Dinner?”

“God, yes. I’m starving. I was thinking the diner, but I’m open to?—”

“How about I cook for us?” I suggested instead. He blinked.

“You don’t have to?—”

“I like cooking.” I shrugged. “It helps me relax.”

“It gives me a heart attack.”

I giggled as I pushed onto my toes and kissed his cheek. “Can you go next door and water my plants for me?” I batted my lashes at him, and he rolled his eyes.

“Is this your way of getting rid of me?”

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