Chapter Eleven.

Apparently today was the day I return Zoe's jacket to her, and in my head, I had already prepared my thank you speech which I would give politely and va va voom out of there. What? I am not antisocial, I am a busy woman.

We were to meet at a coffee shop a mere five minutes walk from my house so I strolled in five minutes earlier, ordered some sweetened ginger tea, took a sip, decided I liked it then brought out my phone and logged in on Instagram.

I was on Christian Dior's page admiring an intricately designed lace dress when the door opened and Zoe walked in with a bored expression, with Char... Kate hot on her heels.

I have to give it to Zoe, the two times I meet her and she is... darn the girl knew how to dress. Today's was an Ankara off shoulder top with black ripped jeans and the classic transparent Chanel purse casually perched on her arm.

Her feet were encased in matching transparent heeled slipper and her gold hoop earrings looking almost too big for her face.

Charlotte was in a short, white maxi off shoulder dress with a beautiful snake skin belt adorning her tiny waist. Her long hair was in a messy bun and a big pair of Dior sunglasses perched almost carelessly on top. Some expensive looking brown leather purse slung on her arm and her feet in matching simple leather sandals. She was looking so beautifully casual. Me likey!

They looked around for me and I finished my tea in one long sip and waved "Over here! Good morning!"

Kate smiled immediately and started towards my table, I even heard Zoe mumble a "good morning" before pulling out a chair for herself.

"How are you doing this fine day", Kate asked enthusiastically. I shrugged " Good and you?".

"I am great, thank you", she nudged Zoe but I was already standing.

"I am so sorry but I have to run, Zoe thank you so much for lending me your jacket, here I have dry cleaned it and good as new", I passed down the cellophane covered jacket to her.

She looked thoughtful for a minute and then said "You are welcome." Then almost as an afterthought, "The offer to take you around town still stands...." Trailing off.

My jaw was still busy trying not to kiss the floor in an unattractive manner for me to react, I am not even sure I heard her. Kate was beaming.

"D-don't think I like you or anything, I am doing this for Kate." Wow, I pinched myself discreetly, Zoe doesn't seem like someone to do anything she doesn't want to do, especially for the benefit of another.

Just then, a harried looking waitress came up to our table, apologizing profusely for delaying, probably recognizing Kate and Zoe as the small town almost celebrities they probably were.

Kate, sweet Kate simply waved her hand kindly to shush the obviously distressed waitress before placing her order, while Zoe couldn't be bothered. Kate just rolled her eyes and gave the thankful looking waitress Zoe's order too.

Having said my thanks once more and fixing a day for the kindly offered tour, I made to move out when Kate's voice stopped me "How about Jason? How's he? Tell him his boyfriend asked about him." She was secretly smiling at some inside joke. Zoe was trying to act nonchalant and failing miserably.

"Boyfriend? Is he into...." Kate's eyes widened and she burst into a fit of giggles, even Zoe cracked a smile, and then Kate clarified "Ohmigosh, nope. Jason is straighter than a pin."

"Thank goodness," I murmured then my eyes widened. "Not that I have anything against gays or an..."

"Yeah, yeah," Kate wiggled her eyebrows, without looking stupid I may add, some superpowers she got there, mortification filled me with her next words.

"...you are just into him." She said in a singsong voice. I started to deny, but then decided to hightail it outta there.

"If it is any consolation, he seems to be into you as well."

I turned just a little bit, and said with enough sass "I don't care." Kate burst into laughter. The next thing I heard nearly made me trip, "I like her." I wasn't meant to hear that. It was Zoe.

__________

Jason was knocking on my door when I arrived home, I saw him and was about to turn back when he turned around, spotted me and smirked. I decided to put on my big girl pants and go meet him. Psst, I was totally not avoiding him or anything, I have been, you know busy. Seriously, I have been busy.

He casually leant on my door waiting for me to approach him and I took my sweet time, all the time thinking of how to wiggle myself out of my self woven web.

Think mama, think. All too soon I was standing in front of the handsome doofus.

"Hey there, neighbour." I bared my teeth in what I hope was smiley enough.

"Hey." His face went serious and I started to open my door, looking everywhere but at his stupid chiselled face.

I opened the door and turned, holding onto the door handle for life. He tilted his head to one side, "are you not going to let me in?" Shaking my head slightly to rid myself of the sense of de javu that washed over me, I opened the door, let him in and immediately screamed.

My parlour was a mess. Pattern paper strewn everywhere and pieces of fabrics looked they were having the time of their life, drunk of course.

Decorative pillows were ripped by obviously some sort of claws, spilling feathers. My favourite couch was spotting a stain like looked suspiciously like cat piss and the culprit was sitting on top like some kind of entitled goddess. She just looked at me, decided I was nothing fancy and went back to ripping into another pillow.

Jason gently took my hand, pushed me to his back and went to stand protectively in front of me, a second later he spotted the orange tabby looking at him unimpressed, before she stood up gracefully and sauntered off, probably to the seventh circle of hell, where she'd come from, I guess .

Let's just say, I was two seconds from ripping Mia a new behind. Obviously I had gotten a new pet last week and let's just say she has a massive attitude problem.

Mia was looking all shades of innocent when I first spotted her, she had given me those adorable round kitten eyes and I fell line, hook and sinker. She'd even rubbed up against me (questionably now) affectionately when they had given her to me, but I learnt two days later to never judge a book by it's cover or rather a cat by it's cute brown eyes.

Jason obviously relaxed and turned to me, "Nice cat, she obviously takes after her mum." I turned to him, shooting lasers from my eyes and he wisely took a step back.

"Mia!" I gritted out, picking up ruined fabric and paper as I went.

"And Jason, totally make yourself at home." He shrugged, deciding to overlook my sarcasm and went to the only couch that hadn't witnessed Mia's fury, picked lint from the mangled pillow and sat down, laughter shaking his entire body.

The bright side, he was distracted and I think had forgotten why he came over in the first place, which was probably to ask about Jay Morris. I like to think myself as an optimistic person generally. Insert half hearted smile here.

I am still going to tan Mia's behind. Sheesh, I am kidding, maybe.

I was almost done with picking the trash, OMG, is that my bra? How did that... Breathe in slowly and breath out all nice and calm. Jason was doing a full time belly laugh now, somehow managing to still remain attractive.

"Nice bra, cat piss definitely is your colour." I legit growled then.

"Uggggghh, Mia!!! You naughty kitty." And the Queen of all things arrogant gracefully walked in and cocked her big head slightly to the side like she was taunting me.

"What you gonna do?" She seemed to mock me. After deciding that I am not worthy of her attention, walked to the couch Jason was sitting on and hopped on.

Jason held his hands out "Hey there, your Majesty." Mia just stared at him, creepily. I was about to carry her off, when she suddenly mewed, and snuggled against Jason. The actual Frick?

"Mia, you H. O. E." I reprimanded. Jason froze for a second. "Did you just cuss?" His right hand was gently stroking Mia's fur and the biatch was busy mewling like, well an extremely comfy cat.

"No, I spelt it." I said in duh tone. "Same thing," he replied.

"Care for tea, coffee, cookies, anything?" I said walking towards my kitchen with the accumulated trash in my hands.

"No, thanks" Jason called from my parlour. "Okay." I disposed the trash including my Agent Provocateur bra which was really pricy at $89.99 cents, washed my hand and grabbed a sweeper and a dustpan.

Walking back to the cosy couple cuddled, I admired how gentle Jason was looking at the moment. He had even put on my TV and was surfing through channels almost mindlessly and Mia was looking like she couldn't care less.

"Uhm, you do your cleaning, I just got a call right now and its somewhat urgent, I will see you later." He stood up and absently kissed my forehead like he didn't even register doing it and started heading out.

I was stunned for a moment, before I kind of stammered out "Uh, y_your friend's girlfriend told me to tell you that your boyfriend asked about you."

I was still mentally face palming when he turned and said, smirking I may add, "You mean Dylan asked about me? Well, we spoke a few moments ago."

At that moment, I didn't mind swapping bodies with Mia, and speaking of Mia, immediately Jason ceased to be her human teddy, she hissed angrily, gave me the evil eye. Like biatch, what did I do now? And guess what, she left.

After Jason left, I remembered Mia, my bedroom! I gave hot pursuit only to enter my bedroom. And scream in Soprano. I think I even discovered my whistle somewhere in the middle of that scream. Mariah Carey would be so proud.