“I like cats.” Jovie looks up at Luke, plying him with her pleading eyes. “And dogs.”
Luke doesn’t react, which is probably his best move. She’s been begging for a pet for what feels like years. Their experiment with a hamster didn’t last long, through no fault of her own. Pets that spontaneously keel over after a few months should not be as popular as they are among kids. She’s antsy for an animal with a longer lifespan and a higher cuddle factor.
“I have a cat.” Rose slows her playing while Jovie’s distracted.
“Is it a kitten?”
“No. He’s an old, grouchy cat.” Her gaze darts to me, her mouth tilting into something sly. “Very set in his ways. Only likes one kind of barbecue sauce in the whole world.”
Jovie wrinkles her nose. “Cats eat barbecue sauce?”
“The grumpiest ones do.”
“How is Operation Ignore the Cat going?” I ask.
“Better. He’s starting to come around. I might need more grump lessons, though.” She pairs that with a bold look as if it’s some kind of challenge.
The idea of giving her lessons turns my blood molten. She only has to say the word.
“What’s his name?” Jovie asks.
Rose goes on staring at me. Jovie doesn’t have the same sense of sportsmanship as her opponent and takes advantage of the situation. She shuffles through cards as quickly as possible, but Rose doesn’t seem to notice. Is she going to tell them she named her cat after me?
Her grumpy, aloof, vomitorious cat. Lucy will lose her mind.
“I haven’t found a good name for him yet,” she finally says.
“We’ll find something,” I tell her. Her mouth curves, and I can’t look away from the sight. It’s all I can do not to scoop her up, drag her outside, and kiss that sassy smile right off her lips.
Jovie finishes out her hand, winning the round. She jumps up for a celebratory dance before flopping onto her knees again next to Rose. “I could help you name him. Can I meet him sometime?”
Luke makes a dismayed sound, probably at his daughter inviting herself over, but Rose is already agreeing to the idea.
“Sure. We can have a game night, if you want.”
“With pizza and popcorn?”
Rose pulls an exaggerated “duh” face. “That’s the best way to do it.”
Jovie claps her hands, holding them in front of her chest. “And Uncle Reed can come play games with us. That will give Dad a night to be alone.”
I glance at Luke. Maybe Jovie’s hints about needing to find a woman have paid off. He meets my gaze but ticks his head to the side. So. Actually alone, then.
“Does that sound like a good plan, Uncle Reed?” Jovie trots over, ready to glory in her grand plan. Reminds me of someone else I know with a thousand-watt smile and a million schemes.
“Sounds good to me, nugget.” We bump fists, splaying our fingers wide to make them explode in the not-so-secret handshake she likes best.
Mom steps into the living room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “We’ve got fresh fruit for dessert, and the honey Rose brought. Come into the kitchen and let me know if you want strawberries or watermelon.”
The room clears out, everyone following Jovie, who’s high-stepping into the dining room. I hold out my hands to Rose to help her from where she’s sitting cross-legged on the floor. She gazes up at me, a soft smile playing at her mouth. Want crawls up my spine, but I squash it down again. This is not the time or place. I had no idea bringing her to family dinner would get me this keyed up.
It was that kiss this morning that did it. The taste of her is still on my lips like honey. I want more.
She takes my hands, and with a quick tug, she’s on her feet. She comes all the way to me, our chests touching, our faces closer than I planned. I keep her hands locked in mine. I want her even closer, but I’m trying to be reasonable.
“What’s your choice?”
She swallows, her gaze darting from my eyes to my mouth. “Choice?”