11. Noah

Chapter 11

Noah

I turn into a one-man operation dedicated to winning over Scarlett’s feline overlord. It’s become something of a mission, almost like a game where I’m the clumsy contestant trying to charm a judge who’s playing hard to get.

Every move I make is meticulously planned around the enigmatic creature who doesn’t seem to have any regard for my charm or her human counterpart’s approval. It’s a real test of patience as I try to woo her with an array of treats and toys, each more colorful and enticing than the last.

I start with a feather toy and quickly realize my mistake. That just results in her glaring at me from a distance as if I’m a lunatic waving a stick around. So, I switch to the crinkly mouse, which earns a cautious sniff before she dismisses me by sauntering away like I’m trying to swindle her.

“C‘mon, Minnie!” I plead one afternoon, following her around the house. “I’m trying my best here.”

Her response is a lofty backturn, her tail swishing as if she’s above the whole spectacle. Scarlett, watching from the couch with an amused glint in her eyes, can’t contain her laughter.

“She’s a hard nut to crack,” she teases, as Minnie sprawls out next to her.

“And I’m hard to resist,” I huff as Scarlett walks over to wrap her soft arms around my waist.

“Yes, you are.” She smiles up at me. “Very hard to resist.”

As the days pass, I enlist every tactic in my repertoire. Treats, toys, and even attempts at subtle bribes disguised as affection all fail to win over the determined feline. She stubbornly refuses to acknowledge my presence as anything more than a nuisance.

On the last day of our retreat, Scarlett wanders out of the bedroom, her hair a glorious mess and those bright, lazy eyes just waking up from a midafternoon nap. “Any progress?” she asks, amusement evident in her tone.

“She’s tough,” I admit, throwing a glance at Minnie, who’s currently examining her territory from the highest perch on the cubby shelves in the living room. “I’m trying everything, but it’s like the more I try, the more she resists my efforts.”

Scarlett shakes her head, clearly entertained. “Don’t worry. Eventually, she’ll give in. You’re hard to resist.”

“Tell that to the feline overlord,” I reply, sinking back onto the couch. “At this rate, I’m going to need therapy after this vacation. The emotional toll of wooing a cat is unreal!”

"Speaking of the end of our vacation," she says, breaking through my thoughts with that ever-present hint of sass, "What’s the plan when we head back to New York?"

I can hear the underlying uncertainty and know I have to make my intentions clear so we don’t have any misconceptions between us. I’ve been planning this for the last few days. I even managed to have a fancy ass ring delivered to the little grocery store in town so I’d have the tools I need to pull it off.

"Funny you should ask," I start, trying to keep my voice steady as my pulse pounds heavily.

I've replayed these words in my mind countless times over the last few days, but all my speeches fly right out the window as I take a breath and drop to my knees. Her surprise is instant, eyes widening as she processes the gesture and the velvet box now in my grasp.

"Scarlett,” I say, my voice finding strength in the earnest weight of the moment, "I’ve been in love with you from the beginning. Please put me out of my misery and agree to marry me and share custody of the spoiled princess.”

Everything around us falls away, the world a silent vacuum against the sound of Scarlett’s laughter, a bright, pure expression of something unhindered and uninhibited. The joy in it spikes something raw and wonderful inside me.

“Yes! Yes, of course!” Her answer ripples out, and the relief, the exuberant joy crashes through me in one overwhelming wave.

The ring settles onto her finger, and there’s a tangible shift in the air as if marking this step forward toward our future.

"You know this means you’re stuck with us for life?" she teases with a genuine and sweet smile plastered across her face.

“Damn right, it does,” I growl, pulling her into my arms. “I’m never letting you go.”

“That sounds like a plan to me.” She smiles up at me while the feline dictator rubs up against my ankles, wanting her own share of the attention.