You would need to act as if you were not interested in the cat (assuming the cat is feral).
But... my wife knows I'm interested. I've simply told her that she needs to drop OM, first. I don't want to act contrary to what I have already said.
Not that I have any expectations, but what if she simply tells me that she's done with OM? Are you suggesting that I play games? That I need her to pursue me?
