Chapter 6

Aiden wanted to take Tanner’s hand, but he kept the small, careful space between them. They hadn’t kissed, had barely really touched in fact, other than the occasional hand on the other’s shoulder. And now there was something heady about the anticipation crackling like electricity around them both.

Their silence had the same charged weight, so much so, Aiden actually jumped when Tanner said, “Hey, is that a cat?” and pointed farther down the path.

“A cat?” Aiden echoed intelligently, then smiled when he saw what Tanner was pointing at. It was indeed a fluffy white cat, standing attentively with its tail straight up behind it. It almost glowed, ephemeral under the light from the stanchions. “It is a cat. Cool.” Aiden crouched down and extended one arm, then made kissing noises, trying to attract the cat’s attention.

Tanner smirked when the cat didn’t move. “I don’t think she likes you.”