Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

7. Karlee

“Well, Mittens. Looks like it’s me, you, and Peanut for the next week. I hope you two get along.” Mittens purrs and rubs his face against my chin.

I decide to try Mittens in my apartment before taking all of his things over. No need to stress him out. “Let’s go explore and meet a new friend, shall we?”

I pick up the key lying on the counter. With Mittens securely in my arms, I open the door and step into the landing. “It’s okay, sweet boy,” I croon. I close and lock Evan’s door and head across the hall to my apartment.

Once inside, I sit on the floor with Mittens in my arms. “Peanut, here, kitty, kitty.” Peanut cautiously steps closer, sniffing the air. “It’s Mittens. A new friend for you this week.” The cats size each other up and then Peanut runs off to her cat tree. She climbs to the top and hides inside the little cubby. Her face pokes out the hole, watching.

“Looks like she’s not in the mood to play, Mittens.” He yowls and stretches in my arms, so I let him go. I watch from my spot on the floor as he inspects my apartment before finally hopping onto the back of the couch and settling in.

“Thank goodness you two get along,” I say when it seems like they’ve made a truce. Standing, I brush the hair off of my clothes. “That will make this week a lot easier.”

I step out to get Mittens’s things from across the hall. May as well get everyone settled now. Coming back in the door, I notice Mittens is now on the cat tree with Peanut. Good. I put his water and food bowls down on the other side of the kitchen, giving them some space.

I have the day off, so I decide to do laundry and clean up, keeping the cats company while they feel each other out. I’ve just put the last load of clothes in the dryer when I hear my phone ringing in the living room.

Grabbing for my phone, I check the caller ID. Evan.

“Hello?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound as out of breath as I feel.

“Hello, sunshine.” His rich voice coming through the speaker makes me shiver. “How is everyone settling in?”

“Mittens and Peanut?” I ask, wondering why he’s calling to check in already.

“Are they getting along?”

“Oh, yeah,” I say.

“Great. Mittens is usually good with other animals, but I wanted to make sure.” Evan’s rich deep voice causes goosebumps to erupt on my arms.

He’s only calling to check on his cat. Get a grip, Karlee. “They’re doing great so far,” I say.

“I talked to Brant. He said I can have as much time off as I need.”

“He did? You’ve already asked him?” I ask. I still feel a bit embarrassed about causing him the trouble.

“Of course. It’s already the last week of June. August will be here before we know it, sunshine.” He laughs. “To be honest, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

My heart blooms with warmth. “Thank you,” I say. “For offering to be my date. Well, my plus-one,” I amend. “It will certainly make my life a lot easier to have a friend with me for this fiasco.”

Evan chuckles. “I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure. I’m glad you consider me a friend, sunshine.”

“Why do you keep calling me that? And of course I do. You’ve been so nice to me since I moved here.” The other nurses at work have taken me into their fold, but they talk too much for me to feel comfortable sharing much with them yet.

“I’m glad. It’s good to have friends.” Evan mumbles something to someone else. “Sorry, I’ve got to run. These kids are itching to have fun.”

“No problem. Thanks for calling.”

“You can put Mittens in my apartment when you work if you don’t want to leave them alone together. Talk to you later,” he says before the line goes dead.

I sit back on the couch and stare at the phone. I’m taking Evan to my sister’s wedding.

Wednesday afternoon, I’m watching reality TV when my phone rings. I snatch it off the coffee table and grin when I see who’s calling.

“Hello,” I say quickly.

“Hey, sunshine. How’s it going?” Evan’s voice instantly awakens the sleeping butterflies in my stomach, and I fight to tamp down the feeling. He’s a friend, nothing more.

“It’s going well,” I say. “Mittens and Peanut spent some time chasing a laser light today. I wonder why cats think that’s so fun?”

Evan laughs. “Who knows? Probably helps them train to take over the world one day.”

I chuckle. “I suppose you’re right. How’s the lake?”

Evan shares the events of the day. I laugh as he recounts the kids’ antics at the lake. He asks me about work, and my sister’s wedding plans, and before I realize it, it’s late.

“I should go,” I say reluctantly, gently touching my fingers to my cheeks which are aching from smiling so much.

“All right, sunshine. I’ll call you again soon.”

The rest of the week passes quickly. Evan calls almost every day to check on Mittens. It’s sweet. We also spend time talking about everything and nothing, including Patrick and Celine’s betrayal. It’s nice to have a friend who is genuinely interested in how my day went.

Patrick and Celine never wanted to know about the things I dealt with at work. They said it was depressing. Some cases were, sure, but most of the time, it turned out for the better. Everyone needs someone to decompress with. Sometimes it scares me how easy Evan is to talk to, and how quickly he has fallen into that role. Best friend. Is that possible?

Mittens is in my lap kneading my legs like fresh dough. Peanut has climbed up on the back of the couch and is sleeping behind my head. These two have gotten along like peanut butter and jelly this week.

I snort. Peanut butter and jelly. Poor Peanut, she’d been so small when I adopted her from the shelter that she looked like a little peanut still in its shell. I’d meant to find her a better name, but Peanut stuck.

“Evan comes home today,” I tell Mittens as I caress his fur. “I bet you’ll be happy to be home with him.” Mittens turns a circle and curls into a ball.

I look at my phone, sitting on the arm of the couch. I pull up my mom’s number and hit call.

“Karlee,” Mom says as soon as she answers the phone.

“Hey, Mom,” I say.

“Have you decided on a plus-one yet?” she asks, getting right to the point. “I’m trying to finalize the guest list, and we need a head count for the caterer.”

I sigh. “I’ve asked a friend, but I’m not sure yet, Mom. Something may come up. Can’t you just put me down for two and if I don’t bring anyone, I’ll take a doggy bag.” I laugh, trying to diffuse the situation.

“Karlee, you know you don’t get a doggy bag at a wedding.” She huffs.

“It was a joke,” I say, still laughing.

She sighs. “Sorry, there are so many details, and the days are flying by.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I know you have a full plate right now.”

“What have you been up to this week?” she asks.

I’m grateful for the change in topic. Though I’m happy for my sister, I still feel a little jealous that it’s not me getting married and settling down right now. “I’m cat-sitting for the neighbor,” I say, glancing over to the cat tree where Mittens and Peanut have spent most of their time this week.

A knock at my door startles Mittens, who jumps off the cat tree and runs behind the couch.

“Hey, Mom. I hate to cut you short, but someone is knocking on my door. I’ve got to run.” After our goodbyes, I stand and move to the door. Pressing up to my tiptoes I peek through the peephole. The first thing I see is Evan’s gorgeous grin, and the dimple popping out in his cheek.

I take a deep breath and swing open the door. “Hey, you’re back!”

Evan’s grin grows wider, pushing that adorable dimple further into place. “I am,” he says, still smiling. “Were you not expecting me?”

It’s then I remember I’m still in my pajamas. Pink pants and a matching shirt with coffee cups and kittens all over them. I laugh. “I guess I forgot to get dressed today.”

“It’s cute.”

I step back and open the door further. “Come on in.” I wave my hand toward the living room.

He steps inside and slides off his shoes. “Thanks. How was he?”

“Great,” I say, pointing to the cat tree in the corner where Peanut is nestled into a soft bed. “They spent most of their week on the cat tree, but Mittens just ran behind the couch when you knocked.”

“Oh my, a kitty castle. He’ll never want to come home now.” Evan slips off his shoes and heads over to the couch, getting down on his hands and knees, he peers into the space behind the couch. “Here kitty, kitty,” he coos. Mittens hesitantly sticks his head out from behind the couch, and Evan scoops Mittens from his hiding place, then cuddles him close.

Swoon.

“How was your trip?”

“Great,” Evan says, walking over to the cat tree to pet Peanut, too. “It was really relaxing to spend some time outdoors. It was also nice to get to know a new friend better.” He looks at me and winks.

“I’m glad,” I say, trying not to melt on the spot. Has he always been this handsome, or has the wedding date thing already started messing with my head? I’m going to have to be careful. Those hours on the phone this week have already made me way too happy.

“Thanks for watching him. I really appreciate it,” he says, nuzzling Mittens again. “Poor Tracey. Brody’s having a hard time with the cast on his arm. He’s already given Emelia a few bruises.” He shakes his head. “That kid doesn’t realize how rough he is.”

“Little kids usually don’t,” I remind him.

“True. Listen, my friends are having a Fourth of July cookout. Do you want to come? No pressure.”

“Thanks for the invite, but I can’t. I am scheduled to work.” I find I’m disappointed I can’t go, though.

“No worries, just figured I’d ask. I’ll take Mittens and get out of your hair. You work tonight, right?” Evan asks.

“Yep,” I say, pointing to my jammies. “I should start getting ready.”

Evan nods. “Unless the hospital has a new dress code, you might want to.” He grins and slides his shoes back on at the front door. “See ya, sunshine.”

“Bye,” I say, closing the door after he leaves. My apartment smells like his cologne—spicy, sweet, and outdoorsy. It reminds me of when I slept in his bed—which makes the heat rise in my cheeks and I sigh. Why does he have to smell so good?