Page 132 of The Overtime Kiss

They both chuckle. “She really wants to see us,” Parker says.

“Of course she does,” I say.

I push open the door, and they instantly scoop her up. Together. It’s the sweetest brother-sister moment I’ve seen, with Luna cradling the kitten’s head and torso and Parker holding her bottom half.

Drama makes a show of resisting before melting into the attention, stretching luxuriously in their arms.

Luna gasps as she notices the brand-new cat tower, tunnels, and toys scattered across the living room. She hands the kitten to her brother and races to check out all the gear. “Oh my god! You got so much stuff for her!”

My heart goes a little squishy as last night flashes through my mind—Tyler hauling everything in from Rowan’s car, setting it up without a word.

“I got some gifts for the kitten,” he said. “I know she’s only a foster, but you can use them for the next one…and the next one…and the next one.”

And just like that, I feel like a jerk for being mad at him at all.

Fine, I didn’t let on that I was mad at him, but still, I feel bad for my pissy thoughts. So, he forgot about the Christmas holiday. That’s not the worst thing in the world.

We feed Drama, and when she’s done eating, I scoop her up and announce, “Okay—who’s ready for a kitten play session?”

We take out every toy—feathers, balls, and the laser pointer—and Drama zooms around like a tiny rocket. Luna dangles a wand toy, Parker sets up a triangular cardboard scratcher, and I lounge back, watching them fall further in love with this little cat.

Then, the garage door rattles. A minute later, footsteps echo as Tyler must head upstairs. Then, the footsteps grow louder as he comes back downstairs. We all snicker, co-conspirators in hiding out in KittenLandia.

A knock sounds at my door.

I tense but remind myself just to be a good nanny. And I am—clearly.

Luna hops up and swings it open. “Daddy, we’re playing with the kitten, so you’ll have to come back later.”

Tyler blinks. “Okay…I just wanted to check if you needed?—”

“We don’t need anything,” Luna interrupts, waving a hand. “You can go out, or do your weights, or…do your things. We’re playing with Drama.”

Tyler hesitates, looking half amused, half uncertain. “Oh. Well…do you want to play a board game later? Lego?”

Parker barely looks up from where Drama is batting a feather toy across the floor. “No, but thanks.”

Tyler glances at me, like maybe he expected a different answer. Then he nods. “Okay. Have fun.”

For a second, I almost call after him to invite him to join us in the kitten love fest. But I don’t want to get too cozy as a family. Best if I focus on my role here—taking care of his kids. I sit back, watching the kids play with Drama.

As he walks away, it feels like a different kind of win.

Not the small, selfish victory I felt earlier—but a real one.

Especially when I think back to when I started this job—when Parker barely acknowledged me.

Now, he does more than that. And I’m really grateful for it.

Later, as the family’s eating dinner upstairs, I head out since I’m off duty. I make my way to the bustling Fillmore Street, its shops lit up with Christmas displays and bright festive lights. I dip into An Open Book, thumbing through some coaching books, then picking up some gifts for Trevyn, Isla, Leighton, and Skylar for Christmas. At the checkout, I grab a blank card, adding that to my haul too.

Once I’m home, I keep it simple.

Tyler,

Thank you so much for all the kitten supplies. I’m truly grateful that you opened your home to fostering again—it means a lot to me, but even more to the animals. It’s really kind of you to help give these animals a second chance.

—Sabrina

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