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“You want a cat?”

“Not just any cat. The cat that was outside the building. I figure we can give it a good home. And it seemed to like us. But if you’re not into it, then⁠—”

He’s so earnest, so sincere as he talks. He’s really thought about it. About giving this homeless creature a place to live and human parents to love it. How could I say no? He’s so freaking adorable.

“I’m into it,” I interrupt. “Just when I think you can’t get any hotter, you go and suggest adopting a fluffy white kitten.”

“Is that a yes to the kitten?” he asks.

“It’s a yes, and I want to jump your bones for suggesting it.”

He grins, takes the dishtowel from his shoulder, and thwacks me with it. “You’ll get plenty after everyone’s left. Until then, go get a cold shower, get dressed, and then come back and help me.”

I roll my eyes and head out of the kitchen. He doesn’t know it, but I just have to get dressed. I wanted to distract him from his cooking. He takes it so seriously. He’s worried he’s going to start school at Easter and everyone’s going to know more than him.

Of course that’s not true, but ever since he got accepted into their executive program, he’s been poring over recipe books and testing all different types of ingredients. It’s good to see him so passionate about something.

And of course, he’s passionate about me. Ben’s love is something he doesn’t ever let me forget. I feel like a queen on the arm of a king. He packs me lunch every morning and always slips a note inside. He tells me that I look beautiful when I’ve just woken up and I know half my mascara is across my cheek. And he lies next to me while we watch romantic movies and reality TV. He’s really more than I could have dreamed of in a man.

He’s perfect. For me.

I pull on my jeans and the Empire State Building t-shirt that I bought from a street vendor this week and pad back to the kitchen to embark on some sous chef duties before welcoming our guests. We’ve only been an official couple just over a month, and this is the first time we’re hosting anyone. Or I guess it’s really Ben hosting. This isn’t my place, after all, even though I’ve stayed here every night since the night we confessed we loved each other.

And now we’re getting a cat.

Thank god Boston’s off the table. I can’t be a cat mom and be traveling all the time.

“What can I help with?” I ask as I enter the kitchen.

“That was quick,” he says as he glances up. “I like your t-shirt.” A knowing smile spreads across his face.

“It reminded me of us, so I had to buy it.”

“You see the Empire State Building every day. You can see it from every window in our apartment.”

“Our apartment?” I ask him.

“Yes. You can’t miss it.”

“I wasn’t…I mean, it’s not really our apartment. It’s your apartment.”

He freezes over his cutting board. “Is that how you feel? That’s not how I feel.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. A little, I think. It’s early days, and there’s no rush, so…”

“There are no early days with us. This is our life, and I want to be living it how we want to be living it. If you’re not happy living here, then let’s find somewhere else.”

“Am I living here? Or am I just staying here?”

“Avril, you are one of the most straightforward women I know. Say what you’ve got to say.”

I exhale. “Okay. I feel like an overnight guest, and I don’t like it. I want us to live together.”

He nods. “I want us to live together too. Shall we look for a place together? You want me to move in with you and Poppy?”

“I like this place,” I say. “And I love that you love the kitchen here.”

“We can change the kitchen wherever we go. Tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.”