Chapter 4

“No, I don’t,” Vic corrected.

“They like you.” Matt lay his head on Vic’s shoulder and snuggled up to him as he watched Mrs. K’s cat. The salmon had disappeared—all that remained was a circle of half-chewed, discarded pieces that ringed the plate. Bits stuck in the fur on the cat’s chin and chest. Licking its lips, the cat abandoned its empty plate and turned its attention to Vic’s instead. Without hesitation it approached Vic’s arm, then butted its head against his wrist in a show of affection that ended with it stretched out beside him, covering half the newspaper Vic had been trying to read. The glare Vic threw its way went ignored as the cat began to groom itself, noisily licking one paw several times before brushing it back over one ear, then repeating the process.

With a snicker, Matt added, “Animals like you, too. Must be your charming personality.”