“Just like your papa,” she told him, and put a pile of treats on the floor a foot away. “All standoffish. Must be inherited.” Sighing, she stroked the top of Cat’s head with a fingertip, looking up in time to catch Loki’s expression.
“Are you laughing at me? You are! You’re laughing at me.” She tried — and failed — to imitate Cat’s indignant expression.
Loki’s smile tightened, a dimple appearing in his cheek.
“No. I am not. I am, in truth, glad to see that Cat gives this treatments to others aside from myself.”“Laughing with me, then. Got it.” Summer levered herself up off the floor. “Well, I can take a hint when Cat glares it at me. I’ll just be out of y’all’s way.” She checked in the bag to make sure it was empty, flashed Loki a half-smile, and stepped to the door.
Loki rose, bending first to scoop up Macrowafter.
“Thank you for the gifts. Cat is definitely appreciative.”
She gave him another half-smile, hand on the doorknob. “You’re welcome. I … I’m sorry I couldn’t make it up to you any better.” A half-shrug went with the half-smile. “Let me know if you need anything else, alright? I’m … ” her gaze turned inward, “I’m always in.”