So far, so good. Kathleen looks happy to greet Juliet’s fans as they come forward, Boyd and Romeo are holding their own, and—at least for now—my secret is safe.
I’ll do whatever it takes to be sure Kathleen doesn’t despise me instantly for being the head of the house of Meowtague. Even if it means withholding the truth about my identity a little while longer.
Chapter Ten
“. . . this is a Montague, our foe,
A villain that is hither come in spite.”
- Romeo and Juliet (Act 1, Scene 5)
Kathleen
I pet Juliet, purposefully keep my caress gentle, as I eye Romeo’s owner in my peripheral vision. He has a medium build, short dark hair and dark eyes, and a bit of scruff on his chin. He nodded to me when he sat down, which I, of course, ignored. He looks relatively . . . normal. Not like a Shakespearean villain. Although that’s exactly what he is.
I won’t look at him, speak to him, or give him the time of day. He started this feud. And it will only end with Juliet winning the Best Newcomer award tonight.
Viv and Jess wave to me from my line, and I raise Juliet’s paw in greeting. Annoyingly, she seems to want to creep toward that rat, Romeo, every chance she gets. I keep having to tug her back.
He is a handsome Persian, I have to admit. His thick black fur and striking golden eyes compliment Juliet’s silver and green looks well. They would make a beautiful online couple. For a moment, I wonder if I made the right decision in rejecting his owner’s offer of a partnership.
I eye the guy again. No, I wasn’t wrong. That Meowtague, at least, is a royal jerk. I wouldn’t work with him in a million years.
Juliet’s fan line is at least as long as Romeo’s if not longer, I note with satisfaction. I smile and greet each of them as they come sit on the couch to take selfies with her. I’m surprised at how many people seem glad to meet me, too. I’m only her manager after all, for lack of a better word.
For my girl’s part, Juliet seems to love all the attention. She stays as cool and calm as a natural born starlet. She’s wearing her gold satin dress with a soft, cream ruff. I didn’t put a wig on her this morning; I didn’t think it would stay put.
A familiar head of red hair catches my eye. Joe is . . . in Juliet’s fan line? I smile and wave, then mouth, What are you doing here? He only smiles back calmly. I’ll have to wait to ask him. He’s practically the last person in the queue.
I call to my brother between fans. He’s sitting behind the couch, playing some kind of game on his phone that he hasn’t bothered to mute. It’s loud enough in here that no one can really hear it, but I notice. I’d tried to pay him to dress in his costume as Juliet’s nurse for the meet and greet, but he flat out refused.
“James, guess what? Joe is here.”
“Oh goodie.”
I roll my eyes. Why do I bother? I crane my head around and peek behind the couch at him while trying to hold onto Juliet. She’s straining toward Romeo again.
“Don’t you want to come up here and meet some fans? They’ve at least seen you in the photos.”
“Yeah, sure, fine. Whatever.” He slouches around the couch and sits on Juliet’s other side. Several fans point, obviously recognizing him right away.
“Hey, it’s Juliet’s nurse! Can I get a selfie with you, too?” the next person asks, a woman with full painted cat face.
James agrees, reluctantly. He smiles a little for the shot, but I just now realize he’s wearing the same clothes as yesterday. I shake my head. A few more people come through, and then it’s Viv and Jess’s turn.
“Hey, who’s this?” Viv asks me, tilting her head at James. “I mean, other than Juliet’s nurse. We thought he might be her owner before we met you last night.”
“This is my brother James. He just plays a nurse on the internet.” I wink at them. James barely says hello. In hindsight, I should have left him behind the couch.
The women get selfies with Juliet and James, and then with just Juliet, and finally with me, too. Before they move on, Jess asks, “Hey, we know you’re busy right now, but can we talk to you for a few minutes after the meet and greet?”
“Yes, of course,” I say. “Hotel lobby at noon?” I’m supposed to have a lunch date with Joe, but I’m sure he won’t mind meeting a few of Juliet’s fans.
“Great. See you there. Love that you three are here!” Viv says. Jess waves, and after another coo at Juliet, they let the next person in line have their turn.
Juliet is remarkably patient as the meet and greet goes on. She alternates between sleeping, purring, and rubbing the top of her head into the hands of her fans. She even poses for some of the selfies, although it’s probably only that someone or something in the crowd catches her eye.
When the crowd finally thins out, Joe lets the few people who queued behind him meet Juliet, and then he sits beside me. As he does, I notice Romeo’s owner looking over at us. His line ran out before mine, I see with satisfaction. James left a few minutes ago, and some of the other CelebriCats and their owners are gathering to chat, but I take a minute to greet Joe. He kisses my cheek.
“How’d you know I’d be here?” I ask.
“I saw a cat called Juliet on the convention agenda for the meet and greet. And here you are. Why didn’t you tell me she was a celebrity?” His expression is strained, maybe even wary.
I nudge him. “We weren’t talking about cats last night, remember? Now that I think about it, you never even told me what your cat’s name is. Do you have one cat? More than one?”
Joe glances past me, toward Romeo and his owner. Juliet’s also looking that way. I’m having to hold her with both arms to keep her from going to the other Persian. “Just one. And his name is Ro . . . lo.” He swallows.
“Like the candy?” I ask.
“Yep. The candy. Love that stuff.”
In my peripheral vision, Romeo’s owner waves this way. I turn to look, but he’s studiously petting the cat now. I narrow my eyes and turn my back more fully to him. He’s probably being an ass.
“Can I meet you in the hotel lobby at noon for lunch?” I ask Joe. “And do you mind if we talk to a couple of Juliet’s fans that I met last night before we go? They said they only need a few minutes.”
He hesitates for a second, but then says, “Sure, that’s fine. I’ll see you there.”
His lips touch mine, and marching bands stride through my chest. I already can’t wait to kiss him again.
The other cat owners greet Juliet and me and introduce themselves when I walk over after. Romeo’s owner sneaks over at the last second, his cat in his arms. He’s behind me and to my right in the circle.
“That was great, everyone,” the CatFest volunteer who gave us instructions before the meet and greet says. “I know your fans loved it, and thanks to them and to you, we raised over ten thousand dollars for Colorado Cat Rescue.”
We all grin. I’d clap, but I’m holding Juliet, her dress hanging over my forearms. When one of the other owners does clap, Juliet startles. At the same time, Romeo perks up. I glance down at my cat. She’s noticed the black Persian.