Page 37 of Steal My Heart
“How you walkin’ a bobcat on a leash?” Someone calls, interrupting my thoughts.
“She’s not a bobcat.”
“Looks like a bobcat to me.”
“Well, she’s not.”
We reach the park, with Nola stopping in the grass to do her business. “Good girl,” I tell her when she finishes and buries the evidence. “See, going potty outside is so much better.”
She gives me an indifferent look as we continue our stroll around the park.
“Done seen it all now!” A passerby says with a laugh.
“Don’t listen to them,” I tell Nola as we reach the fountain and turn around.
“Remi, there you are,” my dad calls, and I ignore him, picking up the pace. “Hold up. Is that a leopard?” He catches up with me, eyeing Nola.
“She’s not a leopard. Or a bobcat. Or a cheetah. Or any other wild cat, alright?”
“Alright.” He holds up his hands. “Can we talk?”
“I’m working.”
“You’re walking a damn cat on a leash.”
Nola hisses at him.
“I’m working.” I grit.
“Look, baby girl, I’m sorry. I fucked up, alright? Please come home. I miss my partner in crime.” My dad’s so charismatic, every time I say I’m done with him, he pulls me back into his orbit.
But not this time.
“I bet you do. Let me guess, you’ve been evicted. Again.” I had more addresses growing up than a military brat.
“It’s just a temporary setback.”
I scoff. “It always is.”
“Listen, I’ve got us a hustle lined up that’ll get you back your keyboard and then some. I’m talking big bucks.” He rubs his hands together.
“Bye, Dad.”
Nola and I shake him on the way back to the hotel. “Yeah, that’s my dad. He’s a real piece of work.”
She meows in agreement.
We reach Sienna’s office, but something doesn’t feel right. I lean my ear against the door.
“Oh, fuck yes, Sienna!” Ellis moans.
I silently push open the door to find my boyfriend fucking my boss on her desk.
“You stole Nola to give her a better life,” Angelo guesses.
I shake my head. “I stole Nola because her owner fucked my boyfriend.”
His head tips back with laughter.
