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Charles texted a few times to check in on us and give me updates about his day. Basically Bravo continued to be glued to his side no matter where he went, and Pringle hadn’t yet returned from his reconnaissance mission. I didn’t particularly like either of these facts, but I also couldn’t say I was surprised. At least I’d finally be in a stationary location and easier for him to reach if he needed my help.

We were so close now, and I for one couldn’t wait to get out of the moving death box that I had called home for the last two days. Yes, our accident, while minor, had definitely riled me up.

And I wasn’t the only one facing newfound anxieties…

Once we’d reached the city proper, Octo-Cat began hissing and panting in the back seat. His tongue lolled right out of his mouth as he struggled to take short, shallow breaths.

“Oh, goodie!” Paisley squealed with delight. “Octavius is pretending to be a dog. Look at me! I can show you how, big brother. Heh. Heh. Heh.”

I glanced over and found that her small pink tongue was now also lolling from her mouth as her whole body wriggled with excitement.

Octo-Cat, on the other hand, looked like he was going to be sick.

“Paisley, give him some space,” I instructed.

The little dog moved to the other side of the bench seat and quirked her head.“Why? Is something wrong with him, Mommy?”

“Can’t…” the tabby gasped dramatically. “Breathe…”

I pushed my seat back as far as it would go, turned on my side, and pulled Octo-Cat to my chest. Holding on tight, I righted the seat again and set him carefully on my lap.

“Do we need to stop?” I asked, watching him closely as he continued to wheeze and gasp.

“N-n-no. Just… Nerv… ous.”

“He’s got the love butterflies!” Paisley announced with a bark. “Just like the romance doctor said!”

I scratched Octo-Cat behind his ears, feeling fondness for him swell in my chest. He didn’t often show his vulnerabilities, but whenever he did, I loved him all the better for it.

“Is this true? Do you have the love butterflies?” While not exactly how Dr. Roman had described that jittery feeling associated with romantic love, it was how we had translated the content for Paisley. She’d immediately understood and explained that she felt love butterflies every single second she was near me or Nan or Octo-Cat. Our little love bug.

Octo-Cat simply nodded in response to my question.

“You have nothing to worry about,” I assured the lovesick cat now. “Grizabella already adores you. And you’ve put in so much extra work listening to Dr. Roman’s book, making that huge list of everything you needed to show her the perfect vacation, plus I happen to know for a fact that nobody can love her like you can.”

He closed his eyes and pushed his ears back against his head. He took a few moments to steady his breathing, then opened his bright eyes again and asked,“Are you sure? Grizabella is so glamorous, and I’m just a normal cat. I even think I gained a few ounces since our last meeting. Now I’m just a stupid flabby tabby.”

I wanted to laugh at the rhyme—especially since I often called him crabby tabby behind his back—but I controlled myself as I continued to stroke his soft fur. Because of his added anxiety, he’d begun shedding like crazy, and a little storm cloud of loose hair hovered over us.

“Grizabella chose you for your heart. Plus I may be biased here, but I think you’re the best cat in the whole entire world.”

He looked up at me, his amber eyes wide and glistening.“But am I the best cat who’s ever lived?” he asked seriously.

“Y-yes?”

“Are you sure?”

He caught me off guard, but I recovered nicely, smiling as I assured,“Positive, and I know Grizabella would agree.”

Octo-Cat sat up in my lap, his breathing now fully back to normal and his tongue safely tucked inside his mouth.“You packed my bowties, right? I want to wear the blue to match my lady love’s eyes.”

“I have them both right here in my purse. Would you like me to help you put the blue one on now?”

“Yes, please.”

Wow, he almost never said please and usually only said thank you sarcastically. Maybe he was practicing good manners on me so that he’d be ready to play the perfect gentleman for Grizabella. Or maybe he simply realized how much I did for him and how grateful he was to have me in his life.

Okay, yeah, it was definitely the first thing, but still.

I fished the silky blue bowtie out of my purse and fastened it around his neck. Even I had to admit that he looked incredibly handsome in this get-up.

“You look all grown up, Octavius,” Paisley said, when Octo-Cat leaped into the backseat to rejoin her.

“I am all grown up. And so are you.” He sneered, then broke into a good-natured smile. “But I know what you meant. Thank you.”

“Grizzly-bella is going to give you soooo many face licks,” Paisley promised with a wink. “She won’t be able to keep her paws off you, you hunka-hunka burning love!”

Octo-Cat hung his head and chuckled, then whipped it back and let out a full-bellied laugh.

I translated for Nan, and then we joined in the laughter, too.