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“Both are doing better now.” I picked up a french fry. “We actually got Wobbles back in his exhibit today.”
“I saw.” He smiled. “Are you all worried about any of the other animals?”
“Do not say that online.” Jana pointed a fork at him, and he held both hands up.
“Luckily, we don’t have a strain that spreads to other animals, so they should all be okay. And we’ve pretty much got it extinguished at this point.”
We all fell into an easy conversation about the birds at the zoo, and before I knew it, dinner was over and the waitress was dropping off the check.
“I got it,” Jude said, swiping the bill and standing up.
“You don’t have to,” my dad insisted, but Jude waved him off.
“I want to, but be prepared to answer my questions in the locker room,” he joked. Then he turned back to me and handed me a black business card. “Call me, Avery. I’d love to hear from you.”
Without another word, he walked away. When he was out of earshot, my friends broke out in a fit of giggles.
“That right there is the perfect solution to your issue.” Wren waggled her brows at me.
“Huh?” I asked.
“That man clearly wants to take you out.” Jana rolled her eyes.
“What?” My dad frowned at Jude where he stood at the host stand with his back turned to us. “You’re not dating.”
“It’s been a year, big daddy.” Wren smirked and tapped his upper arm with the back of her hand. “Keep up with the times.”
He spun to me. “Already? I thought you started this no dating thing during the summer.”
I shook my head. It was the night before opening day. As I walked home from Chris’s apartment. One year ago tomorrow.
My heart ached at the memory. At the thought of Chris and the way he’d reacted to my kiss. I sighed and rested my chin on my hands, reading over Jude’s business card.
“It has been a year,” I confirmed. “But I’m not sure he’s who I want to date.” He seemed nice. And the conversation had been easy. But?—
“How will you know if you don’t try?” Jana asked, angling forward and giving me a genuine smile.
“Plus, no one will know but the four of us. If you hate it, then you’ll know. No harm, no foul, right?” Wren cocked a single brow in challenge.
“I guess.” My shoulders drooped, like the weight of the moment was threatening to pull me down. I wasn’t sure, but I tucked the card into my purse anyway. Maybe they were right. Maybe I should see what it felt like to go out with someone who wasn’t Chris. Even if I kind of hated the idea.
Blondie: Good luck! Opening day is a big one
Me: thanks. You coming?
Blondie: Not this time. I have a thing.
Me: What kind of a thing?
Blondie: Just a dinner.
Me: Like for work?
Blondie: Not really. But text me after the game and let me know how it went.
Me: Sure, have fun
I scowled at my phone.I was an idiot for assuming she’d come to the game tonight. I should have invited her. Now my stomach was sinking and my heart felt like it had been pummeled by the news that she wouldn’t be here. I rolled my shoulders back, mentally berating myself for reading too much into it. She had only been to a few games last season. But it was opening day, and I was pitching, so I’d honestly thought that she’d want to be here.
