No I'm not your pussy

“No. Quinn, we’re not getting a dog.“

“Yeah… My final answer is no. Chris is happy and our dynamics are back to the way it haven’t been in years. Bring a pet home will only mess with the flow of things and that’s not something I’m willing to sacrifice.“

He resisted the urge to make a oh sound when she clarified at it hadn’t been what he’d been thinking, “My little brother does. He adopted a stray that didn’t seem to mind being in a family of wolves. Why?” 

Owayne cleared his throat, suddenly wishing he’d understood her original meaning and hadn’t had to ask, “Potentially,” 

“We’re similar. I’m clingy and moody and once you stay, I won’t want you to leave. So be sure of it.”

Owayne raised an eyebrow, “When you say had?” he asked, wanting clarification before he answered her question.

“Have you owned a pet cat before?”

He wasn’t sure if it was him or his wolf that bristled at the idea of anyone doing what Jade’s father had done. Nor was he sure if it was the thought of a man abandoning his child and their mother in general, or if it was more specifically the idea of them doing it to Quinn. With his gaze on the floor he stayed quite for a long while, his mind working through what she was telling him. Even so the implication that she was getting attached to him or that she thought she could be didn’t escape him. Looking up he met her gaze, “And what if I don’t want a get out of jail card?”

Quinn copied his silence and just watched him, letting him process whatever he needed to. She wasn’t sure what compelled her to say anything about it today though. When he finally spoke, the ocelot narrowed her eyes. “Have you ever had a cat before, Owayne?”

He couldn’t help the sigh that escaped him as the relief that he hadn’t been getting close to someone who was already taken washed over him. “He sounds like a selfish bas…” he stopped himself short of what he was going to say, “I’m sorry he did that to you. You don’t deserve it,”

“He’s a complete selfish bastard.” She snorted and shook her head. “Chris is still hunting him down for child support. Out of principle more than anything else. He was always selfish, I was too before Jade.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Thank you, but I was telling you so you know before anything gets too far. Not sure I can do another guy leaving when I’m already attached, here’s the get out of jail card.”

He nodded, “And her father?”

“He walked out on me in September. We never meant to get pregnant, but children come along so rarely with cats, so we kept her. He decided 5 months later he wasn’t ready, just left a note and ran.”

“And she’s your daughter,” he said slowly, taking in the information

“She is.” Quinn fidgeted with her clothing, waiting on his response.

“Yup,” he nodded, “That smile just confirms it,”

“It’s good to see you again Quinn,”

“You too, O’Wayne.”

His smile grew, “I’m going to take that as a definite yes,” he declared, 

“Are you now?” She let her face drop into a smile for a moment shrugging.