Page 140 of The Revenge Plan (Forbidden Descendants 1)

That’s when I realized he’d gotten her for me alone. Because of what I’d said last night about always wanting a cat.

“Wick,” I breathed, my heart cracking open. “You shouldn’t have. This is… This is just…” I shook my head, overcome and not sure what to say, but, “Thank you.”

“She’s had her first round of shots and a recent flea treatment, so we’re good there for a couple of months. But I need to run out and get some food, bowls, litter, a box, and I don’t even know what else.”

“I’ll come with you,” I started eagerly, only to pause, loath to put my new kitten down. “Except I don’t want to leave her home alone on her first day here.”

“We could go to that pet store on Rogers,” Wick suggested. “They allow you to bring your pets in with you.”

“Really?” I blew out a relieved breath. “Let’s do that then because I want to help pick out her bowl, and type of food, and just…everything.” Bubbling with excitement, I pressed my cheek against my new baby once again. Oh my God, this was so cool.

“Whatever you want.” Wick watched me nuzzle the kitten a moment longer before he shook his head slowly. “So… You’re not mad? I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”

“Mad? Why in God’s name would I be mad? This is the sweetest thing ever.” I lifted up onto my toes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

He nodded, pulling himself up taut, then cleared his throat and shot me a quick glance. “Think up a name yet?”

“Hmm.” Sucking my bottom lip between my teeth, I thought a moment before a big grin took over my face. “Yes. Bingley. To go along with the Websters’ Pride and Prejudice naming scheme.”

“Bingley?” he said, nodding slowly as he deliberated the name. “For a girl?”

I shrugged. “Why not? I like it.”

His gaze fell to Bingley. “Yeah,” he finally agreed. “I do too.”

“Did you hear that, Bing? You just got named! Happy name day. Ooh. You’re just the cutest.” After kissing her, I glanced up at Wick. “Alright. Let’s go buy our baby Bing some new bling.”

“We should probably get a pet carrier too,” I said as soon as we were seat belted in Wick’s truck and headed toward the store. “I have a feeling I’m going to want to take her everywhere.”

His voice was amused as he answered, “And I have a feeling there’s not going to be a lot left at the pet shop after we’re done there.”

“That’s because our Bingley deserves the best. Isn’t that right, baby?” I nuzzled the kitten again, probably for about the fiftieth time in the past fifteen minutes. Bingley batted at my nose playfully with her paw, making me laugh. “Awe, she’s a frisky kitty. We have a frisky kitty, Wick.”

He sliced me an odd glance, saying nothing.

I bit my lip. “I’m going overboard with the new fur-parent, baby-talking thing, aren’t I?”

“Maybe a smidge,” he said on a smile, seeming more amused by it than annoyed. “But it’s nice. Happy suits you.”

I grinned and rolled my eyes. “Well, good. Because I can’t help it, anyway. I’ve never had a kitten before. This is just so exciting.”

He chuckled as he parked in front of the pet store. Studying his side profile, I realized he really was pleased with how silly I was acting. He was subtle about it, but I could tell he liked my delight over Bingley.

Which meant he was totally willing to follow me around the store, heft all the supplies I wanted into the cart, and push it behind me while I held Bingley and changed my mind about ten times before I finally decided on each item I wanted.

At the checkout lane, I set Bingley on the counter so I could dig my wallet from my purse, only for the kitten to tinkle all over the place.

“Oh, shit. Sorry,” I gushed. “I’m so sorry.”

Chaos ensued as we tried to pay for our purchase, clean the mess, and keep Bingley from jumping off the counter and hurting herself all at the same time.

Needless to say, by the time we made it back to Wick’s truck to leave, I was willing to admit, “Okay, maybe bringing Bingley along wasn’t quite the best idea.”

“Can’t say it was a boring trip, though,” Wick argued as he started the truck. He turned his gaze to Bingley who was batting at a folded piece of paper from the top opening of my purse. When he reached out to scratch her head affectionately, she actually got the paper to come loose.

“Whoops.” Wick snagged the sheet, catching it before it fell to the floorboard. “Here you go.”

He handed it back to me, only for me to catch a glimpse of the drawing inside and brighten. “Oh, hey. Check this out.” I unfolded the note to show him the drawing. “I forgot I had this. I was going to put in on the refrigerator. See? It’s my first proposal.”

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