Page 16 of When Annika Met Thom

He gave her a look.

Annika knew he understood her and she looked back. “To your girlfriend.”

He shrugged. “She moved to New Jersey.”

“And the ferrets?”

Thom glanced back over his shoulder and she saw that the question seemed to amuse him. The corner of his mouth lifted a little, softening his expression, and his eyes twinkled in a way that made Annika warm. When he spoke with quiet humor, she had a hard time believing he was as dumb as Leo believed. “They moved to New Jersey, too.”

“But not you?”

“No. I gave it all up to share this place with Leo.”

Was he being sarcastic?

Annika had the definite sense that Leo hadn’t listened well enough to his roommate.

“You could have gone to New Jersey?”

He shook his head. “Not. A. Chance.”

Annika wondered what had happened between him and his former girlfriend—even though it wasn’t her business. Had it been about the ferrets? No, he’d said Percival was cute.

Cerberus sauntered across the floor, jowls dripped with water, and began to sniff Annika’s skirt and boots. Annika knew the dog was more interested in Percival, whose claws were digging into the back of her neck. Percival hissed. Cerberus wagged. Annika knew she wasn’t tall enough to keep them apart.

“Cerberus likes ferrets,” Thom informed her. “She grew up with Rhea’s and they used to play together.”

Rhea. Hmm.

“So, it’s okay for them to be together, despite what you said before,” she said.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Thom shrugged. “She probably won’t hurt him, but if he’s not used to dogs, he could freak.” He gave her an intent look. “It takes time and they need to be supervised. Leash or cage for Percival while he’s visiting.”

“But I have to go out to get something to eat.” And she had to go to work on Monday.

“Put him in your purse or in your shirt. People are good with a little eccentricity around here.”

“Even though ferrets are illegal?”

He gave her one of those intent looks. “But weasels aren’t. Good thing he’s an albino.”

Annika nodded. “Got it.”

“Why did you bring Percival with you at all?”

She shrugged, not wanting to confess everything. “He’s new to me. A rescue.”

“A rescue ferret.” Thom said the words with such care that Annika smiled.

“Exactly. So, I didn’t want to leave him with anyone else, and besides, I thought Leo should meet him. And vice versa. I mean, we’re going to be a family.”

He didn’t seem to think this was strange or unusual, which reassured Annika. She’d had a lecture from her big sister on the wisdom—or what Margritte saw as the lack of wisdom—of this particular choice and it was nice to have someone agree with her.

She wondered when she should break the news that she was planning to move to New York after this two week assignment.

But that wasn’t Thom’s business.

Unless her choice would leave him without somewhere to live. No, they could work it out until he found another place.

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