Page 44 of Love at First Ink

Marisol’s brow furrowed. “A visitor? I’m not expecting anyone.”

“Marisol!” a familiar voice exclaimed when she walked in. Both her and Cisco’s heads swiveled to the side just as Stella rushed over with a brown box carrier in her arms.

“I have been trying to call you for the last hour! The front desk man said you weren’t in,” Stella said.

Marisol instantly searched her body for her phone. It was snug in her pocket, and she pulled it out, trying to light up the screen.Dead. Of course.

“I’m sorry. I guess it died.”

“Apparently,” she huffed, though not angrily. “I’ve been trying to call you to tell you I have Snowball!”

“What?!” Marisol nearly leaped out of her skin. That was when she took a better look at the brown box Stella was carrying. White fur flashed through the holes of the box, and an angry meow sounded from inside.

Without thinking, she dropped to her knees and scooped Snowball out of the box. Snowball jumped into Marisol’s arms, looking perfectly fine except for a spot of dirt on her tail. She instantly began to purr, snuggling into her chest.

“Stella, you found her!” she cried.

“Not me, but a nice woman brought her in. Poor woman had some scratches on her. Anyway, she said she didn’t know where to take her but thought her owner might be looking for her. I immediately drove here. I kinda had to look up your information to get your address. Not exactly ethical, but I figured you’d forgive me.” She shrugged.

Marisol wasn’t a hugger. But emotions took over, and she threw her free arm around Stella. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Oh.” Stella chuckled and hugged her back. “You’re welcome. I’m just glad Snowball is back where she belongs. She was not happy with me holding her.”

“Thank you so much,” Cisco’s deep, masculine voice sounded from behind her.

She felt Stella tense before looking at Cisco. Marisol felt her sudden intake of breath before Stella whispered, “Your man is hot.”

She pulled back with a shaky laugh. “Yeah, he is. Stella, I seriously can’t thank you enough. Can I pay you? Buy you dinner?” Something. She needed to do something to show her appreciation.

Stella apparently didn’t believe so because she shook herhead in protest. “I’m just glad Snowball has been found safe. Being a first-time pet owner can be hard, but I know you’ll figure it out. It’s clear how much you love her.”

“I do. I really do.” This grumpy little cat had dug her claws deep into her heart and hadn’t let go.

“I better get going. You two enjoy your night. I’ll see you on Tuesday.” Stella offered them one last smile before heading out.

Marisol felt a hand on her back, and she looked up to Cisco’s warm smile. “Let’s get you and Snowball back home.” He reached down to take the empty box, and, as if working on autopilot, Marisol started to walk toward the elevator.

The events of the day had finally caught up to her. The stress. The horrible thoughts of her inadequacy. The constant feeling of being a letdown…it was all too much. A person could only beat themselves up so much before it took its toll.

Cisco was murmuring something to Snowball about her “adventure” in the city during their elevator ride up. She was barely listening, trying everything to keep herself together.

When the elevator opened again to her floor, she made a beeline for her door. The moment her hand wrapped around the knob, opening it, was the moment her body stopped fighting.

“Everyone is home, safe and sound,” Cisco said, walking in.

But Marisol wasn’t listening. She made it all the way to her couch before falling down with Snowball still in her arms. She felt her body cave in, pulling Snowball tighter to her chest.

And when the first tear fell, she couldn’t stop the sob that racked her body.

CHAPTER 20

Cisco

Marisol had been stressed all morning and rightfully so. Snowball was missing, and even though she had only had the cat for a short time, they already shared a strong connection. Most of the day, she followed him, numb, completely devoid of emotion. Her eyes told him she was nearing her breaking point.

And now they hit it.

Snowball wiggled out of Marisol’s lap and trotted off to her bedroom. Her cries got louder as she dropped her head into her hands.

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