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I nodded at the cutie and followed him to our reserved table.

It definitely had an amazing view. Not that any of them looked to have a bad one.

I remembered my manners at the last moment and pulled out Charlie’s chair for him before helping him get situated, and then went to the other side and sat.

The smile he was giving me had me returning the gesture.

I wasn’t quite sure what to say or how to start the conversation, but I had said I would discuss my hair, so I thought that might be a good starting point. Possibly. It was boring if you asked me—it was just hair.

“So, about my hair.”

“Yes. You said it came with the animal. There are so many scents in here I’m not sure exactly what yours is. Something large, though, from your human size.”

I chuckled and nodded. “Yes. I’m a silverback. Hence the hair,” I said, gesturing up to my head. My hair was black and had silver tips. “We’re born with dark hair, usually black or really dark brown. Then, when we reach a certain age, we get the silver tips in our hair.”

Charlie was sitting there with his chin on his hands, staring at me with a smile on his face. I could tell that he was actually interested, which I found unusual. “And what age does the hair color change? I’m just curious. I’m not trying to say you’re old or anything, but I can’t help but wonder.”

I shook my head. I wasn’t offended in any way. “Sometime in our thirties. I’m forty-two, and my hair has been silver-tipped since I was thirty-six.”

“That’s so interesting. Will it always stay like that? Or will it eventually turn more silver?” Charlie’s eyes rounded. “You don’t have to answer that. That was probably rude.”

I chuckled. “Not at all. My father sports a nice head of thick, silver-and-black hair, although the silver has traveled farther down his hair, giving him more of a salt-and-pepper look. Leaning more towards salt with a bit of pepper in it.” Four of the five of us had the silver-tipped hair.

Slate was absolutely certain his wasn’t going to change, but all of us could see the lightening of the ends of his hair.

“That really is amazing. And do you have a good relationship with your parents?”

I nodded. “I do, yes. I love both of my parents equally, but my ma can be overbearing at times.” I chuckled and shook my head.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I didn’t even sign up for this date.

Ma is the one who signed me up, which is her overstepping.

She means well, but she also has her own ideas about how things should be. ”

Some of Charlie’s spark seemed to dim when I said that, and he immediately sat up from where he’d been leaning on his elbows on the table. I couldn’t be sure if it was because of what I’d said or because someone approached our table and poured both of us a glass of water just then.

“What can I get the two of you to drink tonight? We, of course, have all of the soft drinks, but there is also both a white or red house wine if either of you wish for one of those.”

Charlie smiled up at the server. “Can I get a sweet tea with lemon? I know you have it, Duncan.”

Whoever Duncan was, he winked at Charlie and nodded. “You know it, Charlie.” Duncan then turned to look at me. “And for you, sir? What would you care for to drink this evening?”

I glanced between Charlie and Duncan for a split second before I shook my head. “Just water is fine with me.”

“Very well. I’ll be back with your tea and your appetizers in just a few.”

Duncan was gone before either of us could say anything else, and I gave Charlie a questioning look. When he didn’t elaborate, I outright asked. “How do you know Duncan? Friend? Something else?” Where was this coming from? I wasn’t interested in anything with Charlie. Was I?

“Oh. I work here,” he told me.

“Here? At the restaurant?”

Charlie shook his head. “No, at the zoo. I’m a zookeeper here in the Australian Encounter exhibit. Which is really ironic since I’m a koala shifter.”

So that’s what his scent was. I couldn’t ever remember scenting someone like him before.

My gorilla and I weren’t averse to his scent though.

In fact, my gorilla very much liked how Charlie smelled and wanted to have it in our space.

Knowing I needed to shut those thoughts down, I touched on his last comment.

“Do you like your job?” I asked. “Do you ever find it uncomfortable since you’re a shifter and work in a zoo?

I can’t ever remember desiring to visit the zoo.

” I glanced upward just as a large ray swam over us.

“But this place is absolutely amazing, and I could see myself coming back.” To the restaurant, that was.

The zoo though? I wasn’t so certain. But the sudden desire to visit the Australian Encounter exhibit was probably too much to deny.

“Yes, I like my job. It’s fun, and it isn’t overly stressful.

I agree that the restaurant is amazing. I’ve only ever grabbed lunch here a few times and only at the walk-up window.

I’ve, of course, seen the restaurant, but it’s usually pretty busy and more out of my price range for a lunch.

The walk-up window is more your normal lunch fare: burgers, fries, wraps, things like that. ”

I looked at Charlie, somewhat surprised. “You’ve not eaten in here before?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s the zoo’s fine-dining experience, and although a lot of the employees will get together and reserve a table maybe once a month for a nice lunch, I’m usually too busy to join.”

Duncan returned just then with a tray loaded down. He passed Charlie his tea and then placed a bowl in front of each of us. “I misspoke. First course is the salad. The appetizers will be out next. Enjoy, and be sure to let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Duncan,” Charlie said.

I glanced up at him and nodded. “Yes, thank you,” I added.

But when I looked back down at my salad, I had to wonder if this was what they considered “fine dining”?

I was staring at three leaves of romaine lettuce, a few carrot shavings, a small tomato that was quartered, and a pair of olives, along with a few sprinkles of what I was certain was feta cheese.

There was some sort of dressing, but I couldn’t be certain what type.

When I glanced up at Charlie with a furrowed brow, he burst out laughing.

“You should see your face right now.”