Page 189 of The Single Dads Club
“I thought you weren’t supposed to have favorites.”
“Oh, I have favorites in every enclosure. Like the new koala baby’s mom, Sheila. I love her.”
“And what makes a koala so special?”
She shrugged a single shoulder. “She just is. She has the most personality of any of the other koalas, which is why all the males try to imprint on her.”
“Imprint?”
She laughed. “You really don’t know much about animals, huh?”
“Clearly.”
“When a koala wants to mate with another koala, he excretes a certain pheromone from his chest and rubs it on his intended.”
“And they say romance is dead?” I murmured, a grin hitching my lips. I always enjoyed my work, but I couldn’t deny, being here with her had been the highlight of my day so far.
Bren rolled her eyes. “Sheila is the belle of the ball in the koala habitat.”
I nodded. “So, what’s your favorite animal?”
“Type or in particular?”
I laughed. “How about both?”
“Personally, I’m a big fan of Nibs, the cheetah. But I also like caring for the babies…”
“Why can’t the piglets mother feed them?”
Her gaze turned soft and her thoughts looked faraway. “She got an infection in her milk ducts shortly after delivering. Poor thing is on some strong antibiotics and needs her rest so she can recover.”
“I can see why you like them so much,” I said, still marveling at how cute the damn things were routing around in the hay, and mewling softly as they got cozy.
Bren nodded. “They’re sweet.”
“Like you,” I said, and a slow pink flush took over her cheeks.
When it’s bottle was done, she took the pig from my arms, settled the animal back in its pen, and then locked up the gate before leading me down the pathway.
“So, look, I don’t know if you had plans tonight, but I’ve got a ton of food in my fridge and nobody to share it with. Interested in coming over tonight and letting me cook for you?” I asked, trying to keep it nonchalant even though my blood pulsed through my body in hot rushes.
She studied my face for a long moment, apparently considering her options.
“I won’t try anything funny,” I said, then added, “unless, of course, you want me to.”
“Let’s see how it goes.”
“Is that a yes?” I asked.
“Yeah, why not. Let’s have dinner.” She turned and led me out of the enclosure, careful to make sure I sanitized my hands again on the way out, but I was only half listening to her instructions.
I’d reverted back into my head, busy planning what I would cook for her—what I would say next.
What I was going to do to replay that incredible night we’d shared so many weeks before.
Because today had only sealed the deal for me.
If I had any say in the matter, Bren Matthews was going to end this night screaming my name and begging me for more.
