“I’m in. Let me go into the office and check on a couple things. Then I can be free, say by ten?”
“Awesome.”
“What did you have in mind?” she asked. “Theme park? Beach?”
“How about the zoo?” I blurted out, surprising even myself.
“The zoo?” she questioned, sounding surprised.
“Yeah, why not? I don’t think I’ve been there in forever.”
“I’m excited. That sounds like a great way to spend the day. I’ll need to go home and change. Do you want me to meet you at your place?”
“I can pick you up,” I offered.
“I’ll text you my address.”
“See you soon.”
I ended the call and felt hopeful. I wanted to take Kade’s advice to heart. I wanted to fill my days with fun. I figured I had another thirty or forty years to make memories that would hopefully fill the void in my life. I tended to dwell on the negative. The less negative I had, the less chance I could dwell on the bad.
I put away the leftovers and went upstairs to take a shower. I changed into a pair of shorts and the usual T-shirt. I pulled out a pair of new tennis shoes that had been sitting on a shelf in my closet for weeks.
I wasn’t a shopaholic. I didn’t really like shopping at all and I absolutely hated shopping at the ridiculously overpriced shops that carried brands like Gucci and Prada. I had the money, but damn if I was going to pay five thousand for a fucking shirt.
I headed back downstairs and went into my home office to check emails and kill time until she texted. I hoped she hurried. I was looking forward to seeing her. It felt like forever before she finally texted and said she was on her way back to her apartment. I grabbed my keys and was out the door in a hurry. I didn’t want to wait another minute.
Her place was only fifteen minutes from mine. I liked that she was close. I couldn’t explain why it mattered, but I liked it. I parked my car and texted to let her know I was there before going inside.
She met me in the lobby instead of waiting for me to knock on her door. I wasn’t going to read too much into it. She didn’t want me in her place.
Watching her walk toward me in the pretty pink capris and the white flowing blouse made me think it was probably a very good idea I didn’t go into her apartment. We would never get to the zoo.
“Hi.” I greeted her with a kiss.
“Hi, yourself. This was a nice surprise.”
“If the zoo isn’t really how you wanted to spend your day, I’m up for anything.”
“I’m absolutely thrilled to go to the zoo. Kade dumped you, huh?”
I nodded. “He had a friend in crisis. Those guys stick together. Kade is a sergeant and he takes his duties very seriously. He looks out for his team on and off duty.”
“That’s sweet. I can see him being like that. I think he wants to take care of you as well.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s always been bossy. I’ve told him a million times I’m the older one. I’m the one who is supposed to take care of him.”
“And I bet you did when you guys were younger.”
I nodded. “I tried. Now, let’s go before all the animals go down for their afternoon naps.”
She wrapped an arm around my waist. I wrapped mine around her shoulders and pulled her against me. She was the perfect fit. We walked out to my car. I opened the door for her like a perfect gentlemen before going around and getting in the driver’s seat.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she questioned.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t like public places. I know you aren’t comfortable doing public things. We could go somewhere quiet if you want. I don’t want you to do this for me. I am perfectly happy doing anything, as long as you are there.”
I reached across the center console and grabbed her hand. “I do want to go to the zoo. I have to confess something.”
“Oh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I wasn’t always reclusive. I’ve never been a social butterfly, but it just seemed easier to fade away than deal with questions and opinions. When you are around, I do feel a lot better about being in public places. Your social butterfly wings protect me.”