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My cheeks heated, but I couldn’t help my smile.
“So,” George said, leading us past the reception area. “She told you about the special glass? They use a special—”
“—etching process?” Cohen finished with a smirk. “Heard all about it.”
George laughed. “She’s a keeper, Cohen.”
Cohen glanced at me, a heat in his eyes I felt to my core. “Agreed.” His grip firmed around my waist, making my stomach swoop.
Together, the three of us crossed through a door and entered another world. The humidity was the first thing I noticed, along with the rush of water and rustle of wings and the botanical heat on my skin. I glanced around, catching sight of an employee walking toward us with a brightly colored macaw on her arm.
My eyes widened, and I stepped forward to meet them. “He’s beautiful!”
“He sure is,” the woman said. “This is Leroy.”
“Hi, Leroy,” I cooed, leaning forward slightly to take in his beautiful plume.
From behind me, Cohen muttered, “I think she forgot about me.”
“With Leroy here?” I said. “Of course I did. No contest.”
The guys chuckled behind me, and the employee—her name tag said Barbara—asked if I wanted to see some of the other animals.
“Of course,” I said happily.
She led me down the first trail, pointing out all kinds of birds I knew and several I’d never heard of. They were all different sizes, different colors, and my eyes were wide as I took in all of them. “I feel like I’m cheating on Ralphie,” I breathed.
Barbara said, “Your boyfriend back there?”
I chuckled. “My bird. I have a white dove at home.”
Home. The school, actually, I thought with a sinking feeling. I wondered if I would ever find a place that felt like home.
“Doves are lovely. They have an incredible lifespan,” she said.
I nodded, walking alongside her. “He’s a little over nine now. He’s practically my best friend.”
“Sometimes birds can be easier to love than people…claws, beaks, and all.”
I tended to agree.
We made the loop around the building, Barbara telling us all about the plants and the birds that had already made the space their new home. I could have listened to her speak for hours about their care routine and the plans for opening. But eventually, we found our way back to the main entrance.
George reached into his pocket. “I actually have a little gift for you, Birdie.”
My eyebrows rose, and I looked from him to Cohen. “Really, I feel like I’ve gotten the best gift already. This place is amazing.”
George and Barbara chuckled, and George said, “One more small present, for flattery if nothing else.”
I took the envelope and opened it, finding an annual pass to the aviary and an invitation to opening day in December. “Really? This is so much.”
George grinned. “With your enthusiasm, you’ll make us look even better when the exhibit opens.”
Enthusiastic was the perfect word to describe me. “This has been incredible. Thank you.” I turned from George to Cohen, gripping his forearm. “Thank you.”
Cohen smiled, putting his arm around me. “I’m glad you liked it.” He lifted a hand in a wave to George. “I’ll see you around. Thanks for everything, Barbara!”
We all said our goodbyes, and once we got out of the building, Cohen asked, “What did you really think? It was good, right?”