u/dexterous1y

Here is Cookie rubbernecking

UPDATE: Anxiety got to me and I ended up messaging her and letting her know we are going with another option, but thanked her for being willing to help. Now we are looking for that option. Thank you for validating that I wasn’t overthinking!

TL;DR: Friend who offered to cat sit dropped hints she would be staying at our place the whole time (potentially with her partner) and hasn’t responded to us since we told her no guests.

Trying to keep this as short as possible:

My fiancé and I are going on our honeymoon next week. A family friend offered to watch our cats while we are away; very kind. It’s twice a day for about 20 min max to care for them.
Last week she told me her & her mom (who she lives with) are fighting and asked if she can stay over a couple of nights to get away while we are gone. I said that should be okay, a few nights isn’t a problem for us.
A few days later, she called me and told me why they are fighting. Her new boyfriend (we have not met him)doesn’t have a permanent living situation right now and has been couch surfing with friends. Her mother says he cannot spend the night at their house until she gets to know him better. After telling me this, she proceeds to ask me if she can stay at our place the whole time we are gone so she can be closer to work. This makes me think she and her boyfriend will be staying here the whole time which makes us uncomfortable.
My fiancé and I don’t want anyone in our apartment that we don’t know, especially while we are gone. I messaged her that was our rule and she can only stay a couple nights; she still asked if a friend can come by with her. She has not replied in two days since we confirmed no other people besides her & her mother (see screenshots).
Is the no guests rule too strict? Are we overthinking and it’s no big deal? We are looking for a plan B but have yet to find anything and we leave in two weeks. This is the most stressful part of the wedding and I don’t want to be worried about what she is up to in our home while we are gone. Help me rationalize this situation, TIA!

Edited to add: We did offer to pay her, and this isn’t just a friend; this is a relative of my fiancé.