Page 42 of Sincerely Not Yours

Before them, Rudy relaxed on the blanket. He was being petted and coddled as the fire warmed him. The sight gave Harris an inkling of relief.

He neared and joined the circle, kneeling to set down the bowl of food. Rudy blinked up at Harris. A soft mew escaped his mouth and Harris reached out to stroke his head. The kitten purred, and Harris’s heart clenched.

“You need to eat.” Harris pushed the bowl close to Rudy. The kitten sniffed, easing the ache in Harris’s chest when he took a bite.

After some food, Rudy began to perk up, but Harris still called an emergency vet. While waiting for the house call and checkup, he brewed a pot of tea and cooked a frozen pizza for Gigi, Alice, and Paige. When the vet arrived, he confirmed Rudy was fine, despite Harris’s fears of hypothermia and frostbite.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” the vet consoled Harris as he left. “You’re doing a great job and Rudy is a champ.”

“Thanks, doc,” Harris said, showing him out. As he did, Paige and Alice gathered their coats.

“Our Uber is almost here,” Paige announced. “You coming or staying?” She looked at Gigi for an answer.

“I think I’ll stay,” Gigi said, but glanced at Harris for confirmation. “If that’s okay with you?”

“I’d like that,” he replied, before thanking them all for rushing over. “I wish we’d met on better terms, but I don’t know what I would have done without your help. Thank you.”

“We’re just glad Rudy’s okay,” Paige said, covering a yawn.

Alice looked between Harris and Gigi, adding, “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”

Gigi saw them out before gathering the sleepy kitten from the couch. She cuddled Rudy to her chest and looked at Harris. “Didyou eat anything? You took care of everyone else, but I haven’t seen you eat anything.”

Harris shook his head. “I don’t have an appetite.” He’d been starving when he got home until he realized Rudy wasn’t in the house.

“Come on,” Gigi urged gently. “Let’s at least get comfortable. Turn on a show or something?”

He nodded, and they moved to the back of the house, settling in the living room. Gigi tucked Rudy in a blanket on the couch, wrapping him snugly. Then she plugged in the Christmas lights and turned on the television, putting the volume at a low hum. As she did, Harris cleaned up the kitchen. He packed the leftover pizza into a Ziploc and set it in the fridge.

Gigi watched before joining him in the kitchen. “You need to quit beating yourself up over this.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I should’ve been home. If I hadn’t stayed late at work, this never would’ve happened.”

Gigi’s eyes softened. She stepped close, putting a hand on his arm, but her touch felt heavy, a stark reminder of how he’d failed. “Harris, you can’t blame yourself. Accidents happen. The important thing is that Rudy’s safe now.”

“But what if he wasn’t?” Harris stilled, looking down and closing his eyes for a moment, thinking of Adam. The night his best friend died, Harris was supposed to meet him for dinner. “I put him in danger because I wasn’t here when I should have been. This is exactly why he needs a better home.”

Gigi tilted her head, looking confused. “You love him. You wouldn’t be so upset if you didn’t. Rudy has a great home with you.” Her lips parted like she didn’t believe what he was saying. “You can’t live your life in fear of what might happen, Harris. Caring comes with risks, but it also comes with joy and love. Rudy is lucky to have you. So am I.”

Harris looked at her, a strange mix of gratitude and doubt hitting him in the chest. The fear of loving and losing was overwhelming. “I just . . . I don’t know if I’m cut out for this.”

Gigi scanned his face, flicking to his gaze. She blinked, suddenly looking lost. “Harris, are we still talking about Rudy?”

Her grip loosened, reminding him of the risk that came with letting someone in. Fear cascaded down around him, filling the room like a sinking boat. He didn’t know how to plug the hole.

In his silence, Gigi’s puzzled expression turned to hurt. She dropped her hand. “Maybe I should go.” Her disappointment cut through him like a knife, and when she stepped back, Harris realized the gravity of his mistake. He just wasn’t sure how to make it better.

“Please stay.” He reached out, grasping hold of her fingertips. Gigi paused, but Harris struggled to find the words to express what was running through his mind, what he was truly scared of. It wasn’t loving her—it was the idea of losing her that frightened him.

Chapter Ninteen

A sharp sting seized Gigi’s throat. Had she been a complete fool? Was Harris pushing her away? He was distant and wrapped up in his own thoughts—completely different from the engaging, affectionate man he’d been with her just the other night. What had changed in a few short days?

“Maybe I should go,” she determined, feeling her own defenses rise. Was she wrong to think there was something special between them? Maybe Harris didn’t want the same things she did. Maybe he didn’t want her. Gigi’s chest clenched at the thought of his rejection. She’d finally opened her heart, and it was about to be swatted to the ground.

Dropping her hand, she stepped back, feeling like she couldn’t reach him, wherever his mind was.

“Please stay,” Harris said, and she stilled when he took her hand.

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