I looked down at my phone and realized I had multiple missed ones. At least ten were from Mallory wondering why I wasn’t home and to tell me about the pin change.

“I’m sorry,” I sighed. “Long day.”

“Where were you?” she asked. “I thought it was your day off.” She moved back to let me in and followed me up the stairs.

“It was,” I answered. I unlocked my apartment and pushed inside, hearing greetings from Alonzo and Birdie.

“You know your lease said no pets,” Mallory grumbled at the animals.

“If you throw them out, I go with them,” I reminded her.

“You’re still avoiding the question,” she pushed.

I set down my bag and phone and made my way to the kitchen to scour for any form of leftovers I could find for dinner. “I’m not avoiding,” I answered.

“Then where were you?” she pushed.

“I was with Beck,” I admitted.

“Lenore, seriously?” she said. “When will you learn to take my advice?”

“I do take your advice,” I promised.

She groaned, joining my hunt for food. We settled on leftover cheese pizza I added some leftover pieces of bacon to. I diced up the meat and added a bit to each of our slices.

“You don’t even have time for groceries, so how do you have time for a man?” she asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t need time for a man. I was just helping him.”

Mallory made her way to the couch and kicked her feet up. Her pizza was gone before I even made it over. I settled next to her and pulled my legs in close, savoring each bite.

Comfort food was the best solution to such a long day.

“What’s wrong?” Mallory asked, tilting her head.

“Nothing. What are we watching tonight?” I asked, deflecting.

“Len,” Mallory warned. “Don’t do that.”

I finished the last bite of pizza and searched the side table for the remote. The television clicked on as I picked it up and hit the power button. Alonzo and Birdie both made their way up onto my lap.

“Even they know something is up,” Mallory said as she nodded to the cats.

Damn cats, giving me away. They always knew when something was bothering me, but it didn’t mean I needed them to reveal it to everyone else around. At least wait until guests were gone to give me pity cuddles.

“Hello?” Mallory said, waving a hand in front of my face.

“What?” I asked, shaking my head and glancing to her.

“You went vacant,” she sighed.

“I just had a long day, that’s all,” I said.