Dear Rosie, (Love Letters #2)

I can’t tell if they’re the same jeans from last night, but instead of pulling my panties out, he pulls out his phone.

A second later, the voices stop.

“Podcast,” he explains.

“What one?” I ask, curious, as I type in the rest of my address.

When I’m done, Nathan reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck. “Uh, it’s thePretty Catpodcast.”

I roll my lips together. “Oh.”

He glances at me as he starts to reverse the vehicle. “It’s about cats.”

I nod, trying not to laugh. “I gathered.”

Out of the parking spot, Nathan puts his vehicle in drive. “It’s actually really interesting. And it’s not just about house cats. They talk about big cats too. Like tigers and shit.”

A chuckle finally breaks free, and he darts a look at me as he drives up the ramp toward the street.

“I’m not laughing at you,” I tell him. “Just at your delivery. You sound so serious.”

His cheek twitches. “Cats are serious business.”

“Absolutely.” I use a sober tone. “Tigers and shit.”

Nathan smirks. “You’re a little turd.”

I snort a laugh, and that’s all it takes to break through the funk.

As Nathan pulls out onto the mostly empty street, I stretch my arm out and hit the play icon on the screen.

The podcast starts up again.

I’m curious to hear what they’re talking about. And if it’s also a way to avoid making conversation for the next eighteen minutes, then so be it.

I relax into my seat and sip my coffee.

Then ten minutes later, I’m listening raptly as to why bobcats don’t have tails.

SIXTY-SIX

NATE

I keep glancing at Rosie, watching her react to the podcast with varying facial expressions.

“See?” I turn to face her when I’m forced to stop at a red light.

She grins at me. “You were right. Serious business indeed.”

I nod. “Charles is an apex predator.”

Rosie huffs. “Is that your takeaway?”

The light turns green, and I take my foot off the brake. “Usually is.”

“Uh-huh.” Rosie takes another drink of her coffee, then sets it in the empty cupholder next to mine. “Good thing he has his tail, though, with that mountain-size cat thing you have.”

“To my knowledge, he has yet to fall off it.”