Page 10 of Purrfectly Mated

“That bad, huh?”

“Worse. I swear, I am going to kill my roommate when I get back home. And judging by the email I just got from our realtor, it looks like it will only be home for a little while longer. They are hiking up our rent again.”

“Oh my! But why kill your roommate?” Uzzi asked only half joking.

He liked this girl and had a feeling he’d met her on the road for a special reason.

“Well, for one thing, it was her date. I only took her place to be nice. As for the other, living in Hoboken is so expensive and with this new increase, I don’t know if Gretchen and I can afford to live there anymore,” Elissa sighed and shook her head.

“I see. Tell me, Elissa, what do you do for a living?”

Elissa looked up, and her brown eyes warmed for a second. Uzzi watched her think it over before she spoke, another good sign. Then she smiled, and he was sold.

She likes her work. She needs sanctuary. She has much to offer. This is good. Very good.

“I’m a personal chef. I go to people’s houses and cook and prepare them meals for the day or week, however many times a week they need. Of course, my best clients recently moved, so I am always looking for more work. Things are rough right now,” she said.

“Didn’t enjoy working in restaurants?” Uzzi asked.

“Not really. Too many people. I like to be one on one with my clients. To see to their personal needs. Some have dietary restrictions and I have to work with that. It is very rewarding, actually.”

“Like taking care of a family?” Uzzi asked.

“Yes,” Elissa replied.

He thought he saw a glint of something wistful in her eyes. Like she was seeing a memory she seldom looked at anymore flitter through her brain.

“I grew up with just my grandma, but we were a family. Kids from my soccer team always showed up on Sundays to eat with us because we made so much food. I love cooking for people. There is just something great about it. I hope to have a family someday to cook for, but it’s not likely.” Elissa sighed.

“I may know of a place that is looking for a personal chef. Not a restaurant, more of a family type situation. But I warn you they have big appetites,” Uzzi hedged.

He was not lying. The Maverick Pride Neta did ask for someone who could cook. A female who would not balk at the idea of working with and for her Pride. Someone who was nurturing, caring, who would want cubs.

Hmm.

Elissa was at a crossroads. Something had to give, and soon. She seemed honest, hardworking, and she was positively lovely, in Uncle Uzzi’s opinion.

He believed in Fate, that was a must in his line of work, and so, Uzzi wondered if these two souls might not be just right for each other. Perhaps he’d know with a few more details.

“A job for me? Really? That’s awesome. Where did you say it was?”

“That is the thing, my dear. It is more a live-in position.”

“I would have to live there?”

“Yes, but I am more betting you would want to live there. If you would like to see it, I happen to be on my way there now. You could come with me and interview for the job tonight.”

“But I’m a mess-”

“Oh, don’t worry, my dear. You will be fine once you dry up a bit, and you can always freshen up there.”

Elissa bit her lip. She was worried. Not good. Uzzi needed to put her at ease.

“I would never take you someplace that isn’t safe, Elissa. Mount Maverick is just over in Burlington county. It’s a small community, and the leader there is a good man.”

“You mean like the mayor?” She asked.

“Something like that, Elissa,” Uzzi began. and leaned forward, trusting his instincts not for the first time in his very long life.

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