Page 47 of High Note

“No problem. I felt bad for you, but I’m glad Brenda stuck around to eat with you.”

She got two mugs down, then pulled out the cocoa and spoons.

“Me too. She put a lot in perspective for me. She’s such a mom.” Skyla’s wry grin made her smile back. “I get all caught in my own head.”

“That doesn’t sound fun at all. Let’s soak that away.” She stole another kiss, wanting to make it better, however she could.

Skyla grabbed her hips, holding them together for a long moment as the kiss went white hot. Hoo. They were like to burn the place down if they went to the bathroom like this.

She couldn’t wait.

Until the kettle sang, they could just set all sorts of other things to boiling.

“Mmm. That’s just the medicine I need,” Skyla murmured against her mouth, hands cradling the back of her head. “I like how you think.”

“This is way better than worrying. You. Me. The cats.”

“Mmm… I fed them. I warned them about Reba tomorrow.”

Kirsten chuckled softly. “Excellent idea.”

“I hear cats are very good at reading people.” Skyla made a disappointed noise as the kettle beeped. “I guess that means we need to make cocoa.”

“You make cocoa,” Kirsten said. “I’ll run the bath water.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Strawberry or peach bubble bath tonight?”

Skyla’s bright blue eyes danced at her. “Peach, baby. All day long.”

“Oh-ho!” She had to admit, she should have seen that coming. “You got it.” Kirsten headed off to start the water and bubbles, grinning to beat the band. This was so much better than all that tension and strife and shit. The band would work itself out, she was sure, but right now it was just her and Skyla and the tub.

Somehow, they simply had to focus on what was important for right this second, and that was the fact they were alone, together, and fixin’ to be naked.

It was a win-win.

Chapter Fourteen

“You think they’ll like her?” Skyla was worried. They’d gone this morning to pick up Reba, who had promptly tried to knock down Kirsten, and now they were back at Kirsten’s apartment with biscuit sandwiches and the dog, ready to introduce her mutt to the cats.

Shit, she hoped this was a good idea.

She was very worried that it wasn’t, but most of the kittens had gone to homes now, so it was as good a time as any.

“They’ll be fine. The kitten will be scared. Everyone else knows dogs. Evie has dogs, Lupe has dogs—I fostered a dog or so when I needed to.”

“Ah. Okay, cool.” Somehow, they’d never gotten that far in talking about it. Kirsten had just been totally unconcerned about it. “Mich has cats, so…”

“Have you heard from her?” Kirsten unlocked the door to let her in, and she held Reba’s leash while trying not to communicate tension through it.

“Not yet. I’ll text this afternoon.”

“Good deal.” Kirsten had picked up the cat food already and put it on the kitchen counter. Smart lady. Reba would gobble itup and then poop on the rug because she was so excited. Some things a rescue dog just couldn’t let go of, and that was Reba’s. Food insecurity, though she wasn’t at all aggressive about it.

A meow sounded, Kirsten’s cats came running, and it was hilarious how they stopped in their tracks and stared at Reba as if she were some kind of dinosaur or giant bug.

Reba sat on the floor, tail wagging hard, eyes focused, soft little whines filling the air.

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