“No. But they might scratch you if I ask them nicely enough.” *** He paused, pursing his lips as he considered the seals. “I think everybody at least wants better days. I don’t need them, though. I’m pretty happy right now.”
He frowned playfully as they approached the door. "Oh." *** She smiled at him. "I'm happy right now, too."
She smirked, squeezing his hand, surprised by how much she enjoyed its presence. "Don't worry. I'll call them off before they do too much damage." * * * He considered her carefully before kissing the tip of her nose. "I really like you."
"That's what you think," she replied cheekily, looking around at the hallway. "I'm very good with cats." * * * He squeezed her hand before his gaze shifted to the seals. "C'mon. Let's get closer."
"Keep telling yourself that." * * * They approached the seals with Arlo pointing at them and naming them. "Jane," he said. "Charles. Albert."
"I will," he said, unlocking the door with his spare key. "Ready?" *** She beamed. "They're adorable!"
He opened the door and stepped in. The house looked the same, except a few things were missing. *** "The nicest one?"
He pursed his lips, pausing before leaning over the couch and grabbing something calico. "Jelly bean!" *** "I think the nicest one."
The cat hung limply in his arms, gazing up at Val lazily. It let out a long meow, its head cocking. *** "Or smarter!"
