Clearly, he wasn’t going to offer her a cup of tea. This was as far as she’d get. His firm stance, legs spread slightly to block her from advancing, arms folded across his chest, told her that much. She eyed his thighs, appreciating the way the jeans were pulled tight across them. She swallowed and shifted her gaze to a dirty spot on the wall to the side of his shoulder.

“I volunteer at the animal shelter. Sometimes kittens are sent to foster homes until they can be permanently re-homed. Looking after one could teach Teri about being responsible.”

“A kitten?” he asked incredulously. “Are you serious?”

“It would only be for a short time,” she explained, her words tripping into each other in her rush to get them out. “I know it’s presumptuous, but it would be good for her.”

His inhaled sharply. “What makes you think you know what’s good for Therese?”

“Eli, please,” Teri interrupted, emerging from a side room with the kitten in her arms. She was beaming from ear to ear. “Look at him. Isn’t he so cute? Please… Can we keep him? Just for a while.”

Aria sensed Eli softening. The tension in his shoulders eased, and she could tell that he was doing his best to get control of his temper. Conflicting emotions twisted his gorgeous face, and her arms ached as she suppressed the urge to wrap them around him. Her affection wouldn’t be welcomed.

“Cats are hard work,” he said slowly, at least considering the idea. “They need to be fed and trained to use a litter box.”

“I can do that,” Teri replied instantly. “It’s not like I have anything else to do. Please, Eli.” The expression on her face was hopeful, and he capitulated.

“It won’t be forever,” he warned. “Don’t get too attached.”

“Thank you. I won’t let you down.” Teri stretched onto her toes, pressed a kiss to his cheek, and vanished again.

Aria grinned, elated that he was going along with her crazy plan. “I brought over a litter box, food, worm and flea treatments,” she said before he could change his mind. “The instructions are in the box.”

“How did you know?” he asked. It was the last thing she’d expected him to say.

“Know what?” What direction had his mind taken?

“Therese hasn’t smiled since she arrived, and she’s barely spoken. You met her for ten minutes and figured out how to make her happy.” His mouth turned down at the edges.

Aria fought the urge to run her finger along his lips and tug them back up again. He looked so vulnerable and uncertain, it shocked her.

“You’re not mad?”