Page 34 of Emerald Moon
Wil gathered everything she needed and patted both Dolly and Jo on their heads with a laugh before heading out.
Jo tried to doze until a knock startled both them and Dolly.Patting the cat’s head to let her know it was okay to go back to sleep, they got up to see who it was.
“You’ve got a guest,” Olive said.She turned on her heels and started walking towards her own room.“Don’t know who she is, but she’s kind of hot.”
As complicated as it could potentially make things, Jo didn’t disagree with that sentiment.
But it was going to be fine.Cass was coming to visit Dolly.She’d be in Jo’s room — alone.But that was fine!Absolutely fine.Cass hadn’t made any sort of romantic moves the other day at the bakery or when they all went out.Nothing had come close to the maybe kiss since then.Jo must have imagined the whole thing.Also, Jo was Jo.People didn’t kiss Jo.They were friend territory at best.
And they didn’t often like people in that way.They had friend crushes, but they all faded.When they did date, it always fizzled out without them getting too bent out of shape over it because they hadn’t been that invested to begin with which had, ultimately, ruined any chance of a friendship after with the other person.It’d soured Jo on the whole idea of dating for a while.
They shut their door behind them and slid their socked feet across the floor in the hallway until they reached the stairs.Jo caught a glimpse of Cass before she saw them, and they immediately noticed the lack of birds on her shirt even though it was, of course, buttoned all the way to the very top button.She held a bouquet of flowers and a smaller, wrapped package in her hands.
“Hey Cass,” Jo said, waving.
Cass’ expression brightened.She held out the flowers as Jo came down the rest of the steps.“I got you some leftovers from the shop.I hope you like them.”
Jo hesitated before taking the flowers, glancing between the bouquet and Cass’ face and trying to read the situation.It didn’t feel romantic.They were just leftovers from the shop, right?
“Thanks!It’s such a treat to get flowers,” Jo said, looking at the bouquet.She saw some daisies, but didn’t know the rest of the flower names.Beta Seraphine would know.They’d have to ask her later.“Like I said I never get them for myself.”
“It’s nice to get them for yourself, but I think it means more when others pick them out for you.”
Jo tightened their fist around the stems and screamed internally.Was she just stating a fact or did she mean something by it?“Yeah, totally.”
“And I got you this, too.”Cass held out the brown paper wrapped package for Jo to take.
It was heavier than they expected given the size.
“It’s bacon!”Cass announced, looking pleased.“The good stuff.It’s from our butcher.I chose the cuts myself.You don’t need to unwrap it until you want to use it.”
“Thanks,” Jo said, processing everything that had just happened.They had flowers in one hand, bacon in the other, and a head full of conflicting thoughts.Flowers were a romantic gift.Meat was an odd gift.“Let me put this in the fridge.”Jo lifted the bacon.“And find a vase for these.”
They started to walk away but stopped short.“Actually, let me show you to my room first.I mean, because that’s where Dolly is and you came to meet her.That way you won’t just be standing here in the entryway.Not that you can’t.Just — it might be more comfortable in my room.”
“Whatever works best for you.”Cass rocked on the balls of her feet, hands locked behind her back.
Jo stared at their hands and back at Cass.“Yeah, room first, then I’ll find these a home, and then we can hang out with Dolly.”
They started up the stairs with Cass right behind them.They had to stuff the bacon under their arm to open the door, making sure Dolly wasn’t right behind it, ready to dash out.
Dolly was still asleep on the bed.Her eyes opened and she lifted her head.
“Hey Dolly.This is Cass.You two are going to hang out for a second while I put away these nice things, okay?”
Cass squatted down low to be eye-level with Dolly, still several feet away.She looked up at Jo.“I want her to know I’m not a threat,” she whispered, tone serious.
Jo smiled.“You’re doing great.Just let her come to you.She likes people, but sometimes it takes her a second to warm up to them.I’m going to —“ Jo lifted the bacon and the flowers.“Be right back.”
While putting the bacon in the fridge and finding a vase for the flowers, Jo processed the fact that Cass was in their room looking at all the things Jo put up on the walls because it made them happy.Sure, Wil had seen it all.And Krista.But even some of their packmates hadn’t been in their room long enough to see everything.Jo guessed that put Cass in the same category as Wil and Krista, then — a good friend.
Except she brought flowers and bacon.Well, Cass was odd in her own way.Jo liked that about her.
Back upstairs, Jo creaked open the door and their heart burst.Cass was still squatting, but Dolly had hopped off the bed and was winding through her legs, bumping her head against her.
“I think she likes me,” Cass said, her smile wide as she carefully patted Dolly’s head, down her neck, and along her body as she passed through her legs again.
Jo nodded, grinning and unable to find words.They set down the flowers on their desk and sat cross-legged across from the two of them.Dolly took one look at Jo and continued to be enamored with her new guest.
