Page 7 of Purrfectly Adorable

DELIA

It’s been days and for once, I’m not stressed about Princess Peppercorn and my next-door neighbor.

Lifting my hand, I smile when he comes home. “Hello, Brandon,” I call out.

He grins back at me. “How’s Princess?”

“She’s good. Just annoyed. I’ve kept her indoors and she’s not happy about it.”

“Better safe than sorry, I always say.” I think I understand Brandon a little more and there’s something there that makes me think that he’s…different than I thought he was.

“Do you want to come over for dinner later?” He asks me and I jump, surprised.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I was just gonna barbecue some burgers. I can add one more.”

I duck my head and groan. “Ummm. Actually, I don’t eat meat.”

His dark eyes widen like he can’t believe what I’m saying. “You don’t eat meat…huh. Well, I’ve got some corn I can throwin to boil. I just thought maybe you’d like to get out of the house tonight. And since I’m off, I can keep an eye on things.”

It’s sweet. And I don’t know really what to do with that. “That’s okay. I’ve got leftover succotash and a vegan burger that I was going to reheat.”

His dark brows lift and there’s just a touch of humor in his dark eyes. A flash of gold. “What the heck is that stuff made out of?”

“Black beans. It’s actually really good.”

His firm lips twist and I giggle. “I’ll take your word for it. If you’re sure you don’t want to come over?”

“No…that’s okay. I’m working on an order for the library. Our head librarian, Mrs. Hogglesworth is home sick. She’s not doing well lately and I’ve been covering for her.”

He snorts. “Isn’t she about ready to retire? She seems like she’s worked at the library forever. From what I heard anyway.”

“Yeah. She’s retiring in about a month and I’m trying to convince the board that I’m ready for the position. Another reason I’ve been covering for her. It looks good with my argument.”

He nods. “I get it. Well, I’ll see you later. Holler if you need me.”

He leaves me standing there staring at him. I’m not sure exactly what’s been going on with the two of us but I feel safe with him around. That’s not normal for me. Men tend to make me feel…insecure, I guess is the right word. Insecure and unhappy. Like my dad did. All men leave.

But not him.

I sigh and walk back inside, staring around at my home. A home that I would have sworn just a week ago is my refuge. My safe space. But the energy feels off and I pull out a smudge pot and light it, going from room to room, wafting the smoke aroundme as I wave the pot back and forth in each space, reclaiming it as my own.

I should have done this days ago. I haven’t felt like my space is my own since the night Brandon brought me home.

My eyes dart over to where I can see him in his backyard, firing up the grill. He’s changed into a pair of athletic shorts and a sleeveless tank that shows off his broad shoulders, slim hips and muscular thighs. The guys dang near perfect and I rip my eyes off of his sleek form, growling under my breath.

I don’t need a guy, don’t want a guy. I’ve got my life with the library and our brand-new Valentine book club and it’s a perfect extension of me. I don’t need anything else.

Sitting down at my dining room table, I fight the urge to look out at his backyard and pull up the ordering site. I need to get this done. And then I need to get my butt to bed early because I’m flat-out exhausted.

Numbers blur together as I focus on my work, fidgeting and yawning.

I yank myself up and it’s pitch dark. My eyes are gritty and tired and my cheek feels like it’s been pinched repeatedly. I rub my skin and realize I’ve got deep indents where the keyboard dug into my skin when I fell asleep on it. Pushing back from the table, I groan and stretch my back.

“I need to stop doing that. I’m gonna end up with permanent marks on my face,” I mutter under my breath.

Thud!My eyes dart up to the ceiling and my breath catches, my heart stalling in my chest.

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