Page 152 of Fierce-Matt
Anya knew she should have moved further away so that Jolene didn’t see them. She didn’t think their conversation was heard, but knowing Jolene, her ears caught it all.
“What do you think?” he asked. “I can take off if you can. We have some making up to do.”
“Who am I to say no to the boss?” she said.
Matt gave her a kiss and she returned to the bar. Justin was there by now. “Go,” Justin said. “I’m going to get entertained by Jolene today.”
“Are you sure?”
“I outrank Justin,” Jolene said. “Have fun with your boyfriend. Meddling isn’t all that bad, is it?”
“If you say so,” she said. She turned and Matt was right behind her.
“This time it’s not. Thanks, Jolene.”
“Mothers know best,” Jolene said. “And no, she has no idea I’m here, nor do I know what happened with you two. I just know sad faces when I see them.”
“Just like you know good matches too,” Anya said.
“Well, that’s a given!” Jolene said.
EPILOGUE
Three Months Later
“What the heck is that?”Anya asked at the close of her shift at Fierce. “A cat?”
It was a Wednesday night, the tasting room was empty and she was wiping down the bar. Most people had left before nine, except for a few finishing their beer.
The last thing she expected was some animal to get inside the building.
“I think so,” Justin said. “It’s almost robotic though.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, leaning on the bar to get a better look. She was glad this area was lifted higher than the floor level. Yep, looked like a mechanical toy to her with the way it was moving stiffly, two straight legs at a time. Cats didn’t move front first together, then back together.
“It’s got something on its neck,” Justin said. His head was looking around. “Is someone playing a joke on us?”
She twirled and saw Matt on the other side of the room holding a remote control in his hand and waving.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ve got a new friend,” he shouted and moved closer. “Who wants to say hi.”
She came out from behind the bar and walked toward it. “Oh my God. Itisa toy cat!”
Anya burst out laughing. It was purring just like he said she did when they had sex.
“You didn’t run from it,” he said. “Guess that means you trust me.”
She reached down to see what was tied around the neck. It was a red bandana with the name Kitty on it.
“Matt! You’re too much.”
“I just wanted to make sure you knew it was for you.”
She crossed her eyes and untied the bag hanging down.
“What did you do?”
