Page 37

Evie

I squeal.

Charlie, through Kristyn, let it slip. Wild will be taking me to the zoo for our fifth date. It seems Wild and Charlie had plans, and Wild had to bail because he needed to check out the zoo for himself first, and Charlie wouldn't stop grumbling about it. And because Kristyn is over Charlie ’ s grumbling, she leaked the news. To me.

My best friend is unfired.

I let out two squeals. The first is for the attack of butterflies I get from Wild going to check out the zoo himself. The second, a zoo date?

I am a fully grown twenty-six-year-old, and I can't hold back my excitement. I hurry to set out what to wear. I don't have a camera, and I'm not asking my best friend. Luckily for me, Rob has a camera. I get it in exchange for a small bribe gifting him the two free tickets I have to a North Cats game.

Then I settle down to wait for Wild.

When the doorbell rings, I open it so fast it hits the wall. I blink at the human at the door, and my brain goes from a revved-up hundred to zero too quickly. I wilt.

"Parker."

"Evie." He smiles.

"How do you know my address? What are you even doing here?"

He rakes a hand through his hair and smiles wider. I don't return his smile. He better not be here to tell me about his divorce. He's none of my business to the point that I often forget he exists.

With a playful pout, he says, "I brought you a gift, but you must promise to smile. I want the first smile you had on your face when you opened the door."

"That was for Wild," I say, checking the road for Wild, "and I don't want your gift." I step back and reach for the door.

"Wait!" He pushes a box at me. "It's from Mrs. Langford."

"And she sent you to bring it to me?"

“Actually," he flushes, "I overheard her giving instructions to her assistant and decided to pull a grand gesture..."

I take the box from him. "I'm going to let Mrs. Langford know you delivered this."

Parker's eyes go wide. "You can't. You know she will get fired!" He says of the careless assistant.

"She deserves to get fired," I say, wondering if Rob can get the camera to me on time. “It's unprofessional of her to send a gift through her boss's former son-in-law."

Parker ’ s shoulders slump. “So, you already know about the divorce."

I nod. "Wild is here," I announce when I spot his car.

Excitement fizzles through my bloodstream like a bottle of wine shaken within an inch of its life. Wild is wearing jeans and a crisp white shirt open at the throat to reveal tanned skin. Ahhh.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Parker flash me a dark look, but he doesn't matter.

Not when an answering smile stretches across Wild's face when he sees me. A smile that disappears when he recognizes Parker. He drops his backpack and crosses to us in pro-basketball player-length strides.

Stepping away from the door, I have to clench my fists to stop from jumping into his arms. As it is, I wave like a teenage girl at a boy band concert. "I've been waiting for you. Have you had breakfast?"

Wild reaches me and immediately takes my hand, entwining our fingers as he levels Parker with a look sure to pulverize him to nothingness.

"You really like him." Parker shoots a glance between us.

Like him? I love him, but I won't give Parker the satisfaction of hearing about my love for Wild before Wild does. So, I shake my head at him.

"There's no chance I can have you back, is there?"

"Not when she still has my ring on her finger," Wild snaps.

Parker's puny chest puffs out. "Well, she's not married to you yet."

Wild's eyes go cold with fury. And every one of his muscles—the same muscles I admire for being so gentle with me—go taut in a way that tells Parker he's very capable of violence when the situation calls for it.

"Shooo," I wiggle my fingers at Parker to get him going. "And remain shooed forever."

But no one is paying me any attention. Parker's wide eyes are on Wild in the fearful way of prey keeping track of a predator.

Wild takes one step towards Parker, the huge, hulking six-foot-five mountain that he is. "If I see you within two feet of my wife again, you're going to regret it."

He just said my wife, didn't he? Wild's eyes are glittering, and his jaw clenched. Over his wife. Me.

Parker diminishes further. At this rate, he might turn to the size of an ant right on my doorstep, and I will get arrested with Wild joining me behind bars as an accessory. And what will then happen to our zoo date?

"Scram," I tell Parker.

He leaves.

Thank goodness. “Hi." I smile at Wild, dancing in place.

His eyes narrow, and the lingering annoyance from dealing with Parker makes his features harsher than usual. "Are you dancing?"

I freeze. "Me? Dance? Why would I dance?" When the man you just realized you've loved all your life claims you in front of your douchey ex and calls you his wife in a loud enough voice to entertain gossipy neighbors, you do not dance. I'm not dancing.

"What's he doing here?"

"He brought me something from Mrs. Langford." I decide to rip off the rest of the bandage. "He and Sarah got divorced. Mrs. Langford and Mr. Langford also got divorced."

The look on Wild's face is priceless.

I make him wait while I place Mrs. Langford's gift on the couch to open later.

Wild looks me over and nods his approval of my casual outfit of a sundress and low-heeled sandals. Jackie takes off excitedly to be with her second mother, and we are off.

When we reach the backpack, Wild shakes his head, muttering, "I hope it's not broken."

"What's not broken?"

"Got you a camera, saw that idiot, and dropped it."

He got me a camera to take as many pictures and videos as I need to!

I jump to press a kiss to his rough cheek, shooting liquid fire through my already fizzling bloodstream. Wild forgets his camera and grabs me. I jump out of his reach.

I need to call Rob off.

"Who are you texting?"

"Rob. He's supposed— never mind." And that is the difference between professional actors and amateurs. They do not forget they are acting!

"The camera is fine," Wild announces.

I manage an award-winning demure, "Fine."

On the way, Wild makes me tell him everything about Mrs. Langford's visit. His concern is touching, but I want to savor my excitement over our zoo date. He teases me by reminding me that my excitement will only end in my sleeping through the ride. So, I let him grill me on Mrs. Langford's visit.

When I'm done, he doesn't say a word, and I use the time to check my phone for messages. But Wild turns the car into the nearest seedy-looking bar and parks. The bar sign is hanging on by a thread, and there's litter everywhere.

Eyebrows raised in a 'no way this is our surprise zoo date' face, I look to him for confirmation. But Wild is already examining me from the top of my hair to my feet.

"Are you okay? With her visit?"

Oh. I smile big, relieved beyond words. "I am."

But stubborn, sweet Wild won't let it go. "We can go home. I will cook for you—-"

"No!"

His eyebrows fly to his hairline. "You've hated my cooking all this time?"

"No, no, no." I wave both hands for emphasis. "I've just been looking forward to having you all to myself."

At that, he tips his head back and laughs. Chuckling, he shakes his head. "Who are you most happy to see? Me or the lions?"

"I was thinking about the tortoise. I saw one in a drama once—"

"Not a tiger or a cat, but a tortoise?" He grumps.

"Tortoises are cute."

"I don't like cute."

"Who doesn't like cute?"

We go back and forth with every animal and their personality until we get to the zoo. Again, Wild has ensured I didn't sleep through the drive.

"So, who leaked the info on our date?" he asks.

"I don't want to divulge my sources and put them in danger," I say with prim self-righteousness, drawing a scoff from him.

I'm bouncing in anticipation as Wild takes out a disposable cooler. I know this will be the best date ever. Or yet, because I've thought the same thing about many of our dates.

Should I feel icky about leaving Wild to organize the date, carry our bags, and pay for the admission ticket? Maybe? But that's the advantage of knowing each other so well. Wild loves taking care of me. How I didn't see it as his way of showing his love for me is another sign that I share my kids' intelligence. I can testify some are scarily far smarter than I am.

With our tickets paid for, we go through the security checkpoint quickly. But people are beginning to notice Wild and are taking out their phones. Concerned, I reach for his hand and draw him towards the turnstiles. He produces a map from thin air, and we start our exploration.

I still feel like an over-inflated ball with all the happiness and joy leashed inside me. Wild doesn't look nearly as excited. Not bored exactly, just...there.

The real animal lovers in the zoo only pay Wild a cursory glance. I take out my camera and get to work. With the crowd, it isn't easy getting good looks.

And that's where having a human of above average height comes in handy.

Wild rolls his eyes in exasperation when I hand him the camera. But he obediently cedes to my request to give me quality shots.

As I observe the animals dozing, pacing or eating, and running around their enclosures, a shiver of sadness suddenly hits my spine. Jackie. I see Jackie peeling around the neighborhood, a bundle of freedom and joy.

These animals can't have that. Probably ever.

Even the bat cave makes me sadder. By the time we are done making the rounds, I'm no longer a bouncing ball. I'm a deflated mess.

Wild's giant palm comes to rest on my back. The way it covers my whole back sends a gush of heat rushing through me. I shift away.

"Are you okay?" Wild asks with that searching stare I'm beginning to love.

"I just feel sad for them."

"Sad?"

"Think of how Jackie gets the freedom to run around and the love she gets from everyone and..." I look back at a mommy monkey watching us with an aged wisdom. I cock my head, studying her. She's majestic in her regard. Almost solemn.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to the monkey and Wild. I apologize to Wild because he planned this date for me, knowing I would love it. I'm supposed to love it.

I apologize to the monkey because she can't live with the freedom she loves. Do they even love freedom?

"But when they are out," I can't speak above a whisper for some reason, "won't they get eaten by the other stronger animals?"

But Wild doesn't answer. Thinking he's strolled off or something, I turn around. And he's watching me with a faint smile. Me. My breath goes short, and I have to grip his shirt to stay upright.

He lowers his head to my neck and groans. Pushing his nose into my hair, he inhales deeply. I'm going to stock up on my shampoo.

"You love animals. You're supposed to love the zoo."

I nod—-an achievement with the lump in my throat.

"But you feel for them not having the freedom to roam?"

I nod again.

"Evie Cassandra," he mutters into my skin. "I love you so much, and I love loving you, and I love showing you how much you mean to me."

I blink back tears as the truth of his words, the intensity of his love for me hits me right where it hurts so good. My hand in his shirt twists.

Wild pulls away, reaching down to take my hand in his.

We get ice cream. Or I get to enjoy ice cream, and Wild gets water. Ugh. Talk about a one-sided date.

Sad or not. This date feels momentous. The type we will never share with anyone. Our secret. I want a souvenir. In the gift shop, I find a locket with a picture of my majestic monkey. I get three. The third is for Jackie to appreciate her freedom even if she won't ever understand what the locket means.

The tension between us is bigger than ever. It's so taut; my pulse and heart rate are all over the place. We hold hands as we walk to the exit.

Then, I spot people taking pictures.

I glance at Wild. He smiles without shaking his head, and I know he wants to capture this moment, too.

We find someone to take the pictures. But the tension rears its not-so-ugly head when it's time to pose.

"Closer," our on-the-spot camera guy yells.

Uhmm, I sidle closer.

He pulls the camera down to frown at us. Wild clamps a hand around my waist and welds me to his side. I exhale. After a few snaps, I remember the locket.

"Wait. One second," I beg our friend. I take out the locket, and Wild bends low—he's too tall—and I put it around his neck. "There," I whisper, patting his chest possessively.

He chuckles, and I pull my hand away, embarrassed. But Wild returns my hand to his chest and nods at the guy to take the picture.

I rouse when Wild pulls into my driveway. "Sorry," I whisper guiltily.

"Is that Charlie?" I squint at the sweaty, muscly man wearing a billboard cap turned backward. As I watch, he closes the door of a white van and starts coming our way.

He gets my door open and helps me out. "Where's Kristyn?" I ask. "Is she alright?"

"Yes." He tugs on my hands.

I tug back. "I want to help Wild with the bags."

"Like he will let you do anything."

Well, he's not wrong. "Where are you dragging me to? If you're taking me to the backyard to scream in my face, I should probably stick to Wild."

And Charlie stops suddenly like something I said just flipped a switch for him. Since Kristyn is fine, I want a bath and my couch more than I want to listen to my brother. "Charlie—

"Even if I'm not going to scream at you," he says with serious eyes and unsmiling mouth, "even if I'm just going to get you ice cream, you will stick to Wild."

This again. "Charlie. I know you're great at Math but let me spell it out: I'm twenty plus six years old."

"And you're the one who dated idiot Parker and almost married him," he points out.

I give out an internal groan. "I deserve that. I think."

"You chose a great guy this time. Make him happy."

He's not smiling. So, I nod. "I will."

He leans forward. I narrow my eyes. I will cut off his arm if he tries to fluff my hair. I wait, silently daring him. After a second, he rocks back on his heels.

"Miss Twenty plus six, I'm leaving."

"What's with the van?" I call after him.

"You will see," he shouts back.

What was he even doing inside my house? As I take out my key, I'm muttering about all the 'not-so-fair things' in my life.

I spot Mrs. Langford's gift box, where I left it. Hmmm. Should I open it now or get Jackie first?

All my body cells vote yes to opening it now. Inside the box are pieces of gardening head scarves.

“Wow." I breathe.

The front door opens, and Jackie comes running at me full tilt. I push the box behind me for safekeeping and throw my arms wide, ready to welcome her. But she streams past me. I blink at Wild lounging against the door.

Bless him. He doesn't smirk.

I turn to give Jackie a piece of my mind for humiliating me so spectacularly. But then I see what has her so enthralled. And I become double enthralled myself.

It's the most magnificent piece of furniture I've ever seen. A couch shaped like a bed. Or is it a bed and a couch? A bed plus a couch. In the prettiest and softest pink color. Jackie also thinks so because she's rubbing her body all over it.

I'm still processing, trying to fix the puzzle of Wild, Charlie and his van, and the couch plus bed and Jackie loving it, when it hits me. Falling from my couch will become a thing of the past. I will sleep the whole night without rolling over and waking up bruised.

Wild got me a couch with a pull-out bed.

"Wild," I call without taking my eyes off my new furniture, "is there anything you want to eat? Something you've always wanted? I can go right now and get it for you. I will—"

“Sshh." His arms come around me from behind, and he speaks directly into my ear, "just give me a minute like this. Let me hold you."

"Thank you," I whisper, twining my fingers with his at my front. "Thank you."

I will pluck out a bit of the sun if he asks me to, and he only wants to hold me? Done.