Cinn came out of the bathroom. She hung up her clothes and then climbed into bed without saying anything, without meeting his gaze.

He didn’t push her.

When she’d finally pulled the covers up to her chin, she looked at him. “I need to sleep tonight. And then tomorrow I have to think. In that order.”

He nodded. “Do I have to do anything for Vince?”

She smiled, and if her smile was a little sad, at least she was smiling. “Talk to him.”

Cinn woke to the sound of opera. The aria rose and fell in full-throated splendor. And pulling the covers over her head didn’t drown it out.

“Are you awake yet?” A weight on her chest shifted. “Are you awake yet?” The voice in her head was louder this time. “Are you—”

Argh! “Yes, I’m awake.” She flung the covers off her head.

Asima sat on her chest, her blue almond-shaped eyes fixed on Cinn’s face. “Good. I’ve been waiting ever so long for you. I tried to be very quiet.”

“Your music isn’t quiet.”

“Opera is meant to fill a room.”

“Yeah, well, I think it’s overflowing the room and probably flooding the hall.” She hated to wake up cranky, but Asima was a buzz-killer. “What are you doing here?”

Asima leaped from her chest and padded over to the coffee table. She jumped up, lay down, and wrapped her long body around Vince’s pot. She batted gently at one of his leaves. “He adores me, you know.”

Just what Cinn needed. A reminder that she had some major problems in her small plant world. “Yes, but you don’t have to encourage him.”

The cat widened her eyes at Cinn. “Why ever not? If someone worships the ground you walk on, then you have an obligation to make yourself available to him. Besides, I love being worshipped.” Her raspy purr filled the room.

Cinn hated to ask, because it only reminded her that Vince didn’t talk to her, but she wanted to know. “Has Vince said anything about his feelings, and about Teddy’s reaction?”

“He’s said many, many things.” Asima stretched her body and yawned. “He longs for me to take him with me. Of course, that would be impossible. But I’ve promised to visit with him as much as possible each day. And he’s very upset about Teddy. He feels that Teddy can’t treat me in the manner I deserve. Teddy’s rather a primitive little soul.” Asima took a moment to lick several of Vince’s leaves. “Grooming is so important. Anyway, Vince is afraid of Teddy. I don’t think he wants you to put him back in the greenhouse.”

“Well, maybe he should deign to ask me directly.” Okay, that was snarky, but yes, she was a little jealous of the people Vince had spoken to.