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“It’s a surprise”

“Can my cat come?”

“Sure She ”

Oh shit I said, “I’m not sure either of us is ready for a ride in your Cessna” He’d offered to takeat least a dozen tiet out of it

“Please give it a try It would mean a lot to me”

“Really?” When he nodded, I asked, “Why is this so important to you?”

“Because it’s so I absolutely love, so I want to share it with you”

“If I start to freak out, do you proht around and land?”

“Absolutely”

After a brief inner debate, I finally said, “Okay I guess I could give it a try”

It orth saying yes just to see the delighted sret it” He kissed my forehead and said, “See you in half an hour,” before heading out the door

I searched for Madame Leota and found the cat curled up on the botto,” I told her “Don’t worry, I won’t erous, but there’s a good chance I’ll start to panic, and that always makes you freak out in turn We don’t need that much drama at ten thousand feet”

Exactly thirtyroom The only people in there were Gabriel, who usually worked the front desk, and Vee I poured myself another cup of coffee and joined them at their table

After we said good , I asked Gabriel, “Did you ynous guy with long, dark hair and a slender build, and he was dressed all in black in a tunic-length sweater, leggings, and ankle boots The outfit looked effortlessly chic on him, as did his red lipstick I’d always admired his style

“I did, but only for an hour or so early on I wanted to ring in the new year on my own”

Vee was slulasses, and I asked, “Why are you up? You look like you should be sleeping it off, which see”

“No idea I woke up an hour ago and couldn’t go back to sleep”

“Did that guy spend the night? What was his na?”

“Craig He spent it passed out ontotally hammered In fact, he’s still there I slept on the couch”