Barrow
L ater that night, Sugar curls up on my lap as I scroll aimlessly on my laptop. She purrs softly, a soothing rhythm that calms my frayed nerves.
“Can you believe it, Shug?” I murmur, scratching behind her ears. “I’ve got a date for the Meet ’n’ Mingle. And not just any date—Star.”
Sugar flicks her tail, unimpressed. I chuckle, but inside, I’m a mess of nerves and excitement. Star is nothing like the women I used to date back in Boston. She’s quiet, guarded, but there’s a spark in her—something raw and real that I can’t get out of my head.
Moving to Heartwood was supposed to be a fresh start, a way to escape the noise and anonymity of city life. I wanted simplicity, a chance to connect with people in a way I couldn’t back in Boston. But even here, it’s hard to shake the loneliness.
Sugar nuzzles my chin, a reminder that I’m not completely alone. “Think she likes cats?” I ask her.
Sugar only purrs in answer, which I decide to take as a yes.