She walks over and squats down beside us and starts petting him too.
“He wasn’t even with me for forty-eight hours before he found my stash of chocolate and ate it. I took him to the vet, and they pumped his stomach, then gave him some IV meds. Told me if I would have waited, he probably wouldn’t be here. Even after all of that though, he still goes feral anytime chocolate is around. I try to tell him it can hurt him, or even worse kill him, but he’s a cat. He doesn’t understand me,” She laughs. “So, Augustus it was.”
“After that kid in the chocolate factory?”
She nods. “Yep. That kid couldn’t help himself either.” She shrugs, pulling herself back to her feet.
Standing, I straighten my blazer. “I like it. Sounds sophisticated.”
She tips her head. “It does, doesn’t it?” She looks down at the cat. “He’s anything but sophisticated though,” she laughs again, shoving her phone into her small purse.
I glance around the room one last time. “I like your place. It’s… different.”
“Different?”
I nod. “There are no pictures of your family.”
“Oh.” She looks down and then back up to me. “I assumed you meant how nothing matches, but there are no pictures because I don’t have any.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. My mom passed away having me, and I lost my dad a few years ago. After that, I kind of drifted away from the little bit of family that was left.”
“I’m sorry.” It’s the only thing I can think to say.
“Don’t be. I’ve lived a pretty great life all on my own,” she smiles.
“No siblings?” I ask, hoping to lighten the conversation. I can’t help myself. At this point, I know Juliet, but I don’t know her, and I’m curious.
“Just me.” She throws her hands out beside her then lets them fall. “What about you?”
“I’m an only child too and don’t see my parents much. They travel a lot so, growing up, it was always a nanny raising me. When I turned eighteen, they gave me enough money to start my company and I haven’t heard from them since, minus the yearly Christmas and birthday card from whatever exotic island they decide to call home for the year.”
“Damn. I’m sorry,” she repeats the words I just spoke to her.
“Don’t be. I’ve lived a pretty great life alone,” I wink.
She pushes my shoulder playfully, then promptly changes the subject. “Well, I’m ready when you are.”
“Lead the way, sweet girl.” I turn and sweep my arm toward the door.