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Never ht that counts If it weren’t for that witch Portia, I’d be celebrating tonight with Donon instead of a decent Napa cabernet

I’ my apartment door when I hear Cam’s voice It’s muffled behind his own door but still easily discernible

"Because I don’t bloody want to come back early, that’s why!"

I pause,me

Heavy footsteps stoo back the other "My fucking attorney is supposed to be handling that!" he roars "He said I wouldn’t have to appear in court until the seventeenth of nextto be quiet, I turn the key in the lock and open et called a Peeping Toain, so it’s ley has other ideas

"RRROOOOWWW!" he shrieks, caterwauling like I’ve stepped on his tail

"Shh!" I hiss, waving a hand at him "I’ll feed you in one second!"

But it’s too late The door across the hall is already opening

Staring at otta fucking go! I’ll call you back later!"

He stabs his finger against the screen to end the call, tosses the phone over his shoulder so it lands with a clatter on the floor, then stands there staring atup and down and his eyes wild

"Hey there, prancer Bad day?" I let him seethe silently for a few seconds "You want to talk about it?"

"No!"

"Okay, okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch Have a nice evening"

I assuht due to the severe thunderstor over his head, but he puts that notion to rest by sla past me into my apartment

"Sure, c’ hiry three-hundred-pound gorilla in the house"

He rests his head on the back of the sofa and closes his eyes When he speaks, his voice is subdued "Sorry, lass Just leley re made to wait for his dinner and trots into the kitchen with his tail held high I close the door, wondering how I becah- on the console, shuck off my coat and scarf and drape them over a chair, and take the wine into the kitchen, where I feed the cat and then go on a hunt for the bottle opener and a good crystal wineglass It’s hidden behind all the other crappy,with the cork until it pops out, then I call over or doesn’t drink wine"

I scream, because the bastard has appeared froor! Quit doing that!"

He looks faintly amused "It’s not my fault you’re as deaf as your cat, lass"

"I’m not deaf at all You’re just unnaturally stealthy!"

He chuckles, and I’ "That’s true Ninjalike, I am"

"Don’t talk backward like Yoda You’re too muscular to pull it off"

"Aha! You’re finally admittin’ to yourself what a handsoo" I slass of cab I take a nice long swig, s, and sigh happily

Which is when I notice Ca me up and down

"What?"