Page 7 of The Neighbor's Son

Casey

Meow.

I have a cat now.

A stolen cat.

My little stowaway zipped inside when I came home last night, finding refuge under my bed. It was the same cat I’d seen running from Maggie the other day. It was also the one she was later searching for, stealing the birthday boy away from me when he went to help.

Boyis right.

I can’t believe I allowed myself to flirt with him. Clara’s influence is ridiculous. Listening to her has embarrassing consequences.

Like enjoying conversation with Brayden Foss, eighteen years my junior.

His attention, while welcome and sweet, was inappropriate. Sure, he’s a legal adult now, but just barely. He’s my landlord and neighbor’s son. It has “mistake” written all over it.

You’re just lonely, Casey.

As if conjured up by my thoughts, the cat hops onto my bed and sits on my stomach. His purring is soothing. I scratch him behind the ears and smile.

“Maggie has a lot of cats,” I agree, like I can read his mind. “No wonder you wanted to escape. You know I have to put you out, though. You’re not mine.”

He meows in protest. His glittery green eyes are intelligent as he stares me down. I feel bad that he has to share a home with a bunch of other cats he clearly doesn’t want to be around.

“I’ll talk to her,” I vow, already dreading that conversation.

Satisfied, he climbs off my stomach and stretches, orange tail swishing back and forth. He keeps me company as I get ready for work, and when I grab breakfast, he gets a few bites along with a bowl of milk. When I finally open the door to leave, he bolts, not giving me a chance to walk him over to Maggie.

He’s a survivor.

I smother a silly giggle as I head out the door. I’ve always enjoyed my job. It helps that the man who runs the physical therapy clinic, Drew, is a good friend, too. My patients are who have kept me out of my depressed state, giving me the will to keep plugging along.

They need my help, and I love helping them.

By the time I arrive, the place is already hopping, patients crowding the small waiting area. I’m not late, but with some of the looks I’m getting, you’d think I was. I flash the group a friendly smile and then head to the back to put away my purse in the break room.

Drew is leaned against the counter, an eyebrow hiked up, as his woman, Sophia, yaps at him. Not many people like Sophia, because she’s a grumpy old man in a young woman’s body, but Drew seems to enjoy her fire.

“You done, crybaby?”

She gives him the finger and limps off. He smirks at me in triumph.

“A little too busy to be flirting with your baby dragon,” I tease as I stuff my purse in a cabinet. “I wouldn’t want to have to tell the boss you’re fraternizing with the employees.”

Drew snorts. “Sophia doesn’t work hard enough to be considered an employee. And at least I was here early. Your boss should fire you, Monroe.”

We both grin and then get to work.

The first part of the day is so busy I don’t have time to obsess over my conversation with Brayden. During lunch, though, when I’m heating up a Lean Cuisine in a desperate attempt to eat healthy, I can’t help but let my mind replay last night.

He’s just a kid.

Not anymore…

I’d looked at him as a man for the first time. Though nothing like Derek, who’s broad and muscular, there was something truly appealing about Brayden’s lean but tall body and adorable smile.

A lot of men are sure in their advances with women, but he was so awkward it was endearing. Honestly, it was refreshing to not be the one with all the confidence issues.

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