“I want to meet them all.”
“You will. Now, where is this cat of yours? You’ve held me in suspense for long enough.”
“Let me go find him. He’s probably lounging somewhere, ignoring us. Make yourself comfortable.”
Miller pulls out one of the kitchen chairs and sinks into it, slouching slightly as he spreads his legs, looking as relaxed as can be. He looks like he’s been here a thousand times, and that pulls at something in my heart.
Walking into my bedroom, I push the door open further, and immediately see Potato spread out on my bed, laying in the sliver of sun that warms my blanket. He doesn’t bother opening his eyes until I sit on the bed next to him, forcing him to see who has interrupted his nap.
Scratching behind his ears, I press a kiss onto his nose. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead, I have someone I want you to meet.”
Scooping him into my arms, his side lays against my chest while I hold him belly up. As we walk, it bounces and sways in time with the red jingle bell hanging from his collar. The cute little Christmas tree and gingerbread man hanging from it swing with each step, too.
Potato’s face is scrunched in a smooshy-faced frown, and I can tell he’s annoyed by the way I am holding him like a baby, but that’s exactly what he is.
My furry baby.
Cue the social media “I just a baby” sound in my head.
Miller stands as I enter the room, and as I pass by the light switch, I flip on the Christmas lights that decorate my living room area, making my quaint little space more merry and bright.
As Potato and I grow closer, Miller’s eyes widen when he sees him, and he meets me halfway, letting out a guttural laugh. “Wow, he’s so…”
“Adorable? Handsome? He loves his compliments—better lay it on thick.”
“Uh, I was going to say large. But handsome works too.”
My cat gives a grumpy little meow.
“You’ve got one paw that’s lighter than the other, huh, buddy?” Miller tries to baby talk, taking Potato’s lighter paw between two fingers.
Potato meows again, but this time it's a little more high-pitched—his way of saying to stop holding his paw, I assume.
It’s obvious that Miller hasn’t spent a lot of time around cats, because I can’t help but laugh as he reaches out and pets the top of Potato’s head like you would pet a dog. His strokes are rough, and Potato’s ears immediately flatten as Miller unknowingly smashes his head further and further into his neck as he tries to retract it with each pet.
I’m laughing so hard I can’t breathe.
Potato isn’t amused, though, and struggles to get in an upright position, leaping from my arms and running into my bedroom again.
I’m not sure I’ve seen him run so fast in the entire time I’ve had him.
“Is it a deal breaker if the cat doesn’t like me?” Miller laughs, but rubs the back of his neck, looking a little nervous.
“I won’t call it a deal breaker, yet, but you need to do your best to win him over. Him and I are a package deal.”
“Noted.”
I touch his chest before I go back into the kitchen to finish making our cups of coffee. When they’re ready, I hand him a steaming mug.
The scent of coffee and peppermint permeates the air as I bring mine to my lips and take a small sip so as not to burn my tongue. “You said you wanted what I was having. I hope a peppermint mocha is okay.”
“Sure.” Miller takes a tentative sip, and I can tell by the face he tries to hide that it’s not his favorite.
“Too sweet?”
“Sweeter than I normally take my coffee, but it’s good. Thank you.” This time, when he brings the cup back to his lips, he takes a long gulp.That has to hurt.
“So, I wasn’t prepared to have a guest for Christmas. I don’t have any of the fixings for a typical Christmas dinner.”
