Over coffee, she got all misty-eyed (blame the steam) and started apologizing. Said she was young and dumb back then, causing trouble without even realizing it.

Then she spilled the beans about wanting her old job back. If she couldn't start making bank soon, her mom was gonna ship her back to the boonies to get hitched.

Classic guilt trip.

She's looking at me all hopeful, and I get it. So I cave and say I'll see what I can do.

Back home, I'm cuddling Happy and hemming and hawing. Finally, I bite the bullet and ring up Noah.

"You busy?"

"Shoot."

I spill the whole story...

Noah goes radio silent.

Oh boy, the boss man hates boomerang employees. Did I just shoot myself in the foot trying to help Jessica?

After what feels like forever, Noah pipes up: "Well, aren't you the forgiving type."

Guy's got a memory like an elephant.

I mumble, "We were fresh out of college, all piss and vinegar."

"I'll look into it."

Now I'm scratching my head. Is that a yes or a no? I don't wanna push it.

Happy's sitting next to me, head tilted like he's eavesdropping. I pet him and whisper, "Happy, I miss you..."

Noah: "...Noted..."

Next day, Jessica calls. She's already hired.

Noah works fast, I'll give him that.

Jessica's gushing with thanks, but I play it cool: "Mr. Black knows talent when he sees it. Just bring your A-game."

Jessica's all "Yes, ma'am" and goes on another apology spree.

She's no slouch in the skills department, and being back on familiar turf, she's knocking it out of the park.

Word on the street is Noah even went to check on her himself, telling everyone to take a page out of Jessica's book and focus on business.

Just like that, Jessica's the company's golden girl.

I'm feeling a teeny bit green, so I text him: "You never sing my praises like that."

He replies with a pic of Happy's cat food.

With year-end coming up, I buy Happy a little outfit - a bright red fur vest with a big ol' "B" stitched on the back.

Noah eyeballs it as I'm dressing Happy: "Tacky!"

While I'm brewing coffee, I catch him on the couch, legs crossed, cuddling Happy and fussing with the vest before snapping a pic.

That night, I see his Instagram post - his usual 3x3 grid with the caption: "The Black family cat, looking like a boss."