"What?" Okay, maybe he shouldn't have sounded so shocked, but she seemed a little young to have a kid the same age as Clarence. But maybe she was just good at taking care of herself. And he didn't necessarily have the right kind of background to judge that.

He forced the incredulousness from his face and looked back down at the cat. "Sorry. I just... wasn't expecting that."

He could try. He could. And what was the worst that could happen? Being told "no" was something he was used to, even if he did hate it. But he should be able to survive it if it meant getting a cat for real.