Page 46 of Novice Girlfriend

I didn’t know what to say, but the way I looked away was probably a guilty admission somehow.

“That’s heavy for you to carry,” he muttered as if not knowing what else to say or maybe too much to say and not sure which was the right thing? “Are you—Wyatt knows, right? I was kind of surprised he wasn’t involved today and… Ahhh. He’s busy talking to Quinn. Wow, I didn’t think he’d just drop off on—”

“I told him to,” I interrupted, nodding when I felt his eyes on me. “We don’t have answers and we didn’t even know that’s what it did. It was different for me. Obviously.” I huffed. “It’s so stupid that I can’t tell you, but I also get it. This is going to drive me nuts.” I snorted. “More so.”

“More so,” he agreed. “We’re all nuts already.” He guided me over to the first glass. “So let’s enjoy it for a bit because you’ve always wanted to.”

Some people tried to push closer and maybe elbow me out of the way because it was busy, a place like this probably always packed during the day, but they took a second glance at Winter and tried another spot. Funny, because I had bodyguards trailing us but wasn’t sure I needed them with him.

No, it was always smart, but it was still amusing.

“Thanks, Sir Winter,” I teased as I leaned into him.

“Always, Lady Bevin,” he chuckled, and kissed my hair.

“Five hundred and fifty-three,” a female voice said right as the first shark came into view.

I slapped my hand over my mouth. I glanced up at him and cut a look to the shark. “Five hundred and fifty-three.”

His eyes went wide and he looked ready to die. “Oh, this is fucking amazing. It’s a crime we didn’t do this sooner. I’m so sorry, little sexy. Really. I’ll do better.”

I hugged his arms to me. “You do great. None of this is easy. We just became official and—thank you for this.”

“Thank you for sharing it with me. Here comes the next one,” he murmured in my ear.

“Oh, he’s a big one with the blonde. Cute couple. The kids are my favorite, but the couples are nice too. Awww, babies over there. Twins! Adorable!”

I glanced to my right and saw a double stroller and saw the twins. They were really cute. I whispered to Winter what the male shark had said. The next one was bored, saying that he was basically doing it because they got extra treats if they entertained the humans and were sociable. Wow, it was cool they understood that much.

A lot of animals did, but now I knew from Julie, the owl on campus, it was because they learned being around familiars. So honestly, it was a bit like relearning it all from the start for me at times.

I frowned when the next one came up. “That one just broke up with his girlfriend in there. She cheated with one of the other ones. She’s pregnant. Aw, cheating’s never okay, even for conservation efforts.”

“Is this like a date idea or something?” a lady from the left said and made me jump. She was glancing between us. “You make up stories for the fish or animals when you go places? That’s actually a really cute and creative way to stay off your phones and be engaged. I’ll have to try that with my husband.”

“I read it in a suggestions forum,” Winter smoothly told her. “I was nervous because I’ve not had many girlfriends and she’s got a lot of attention, so I wanted to be different. We have fun with it. I’ve seen a whole other side of her and how creative she is.”

“I love that,” the woman praised. “Good for you both.” She winked at me. “What a keeper, hon. Nicely done. Sometimes us sweet ones win after all.” She chuckled when I flushed. “Enjoy your visit.”

I thanked her and she moved on with her two kids. Then I kissed under Winter’s chin, glad he was so quick on his feet. “That’s actually an amazing cover.”

“It is,” he agreed. “And I feel bad for that shark. I wish it was like other places where you can buy them treats. I’d get him a bucket of something good.”

“For sure,” I agreed.

But the cover was amazing and we used a few times as I told him what I heard. Like the huge school of fish in the tank with the sharks?

They didn’t call out directions like the military saying right and left over again when marching or jogging. No, it was like a group leader and a few designated ones on the sides to repeat it back to others. I wouldn’t have guessed that. Totally fascinated and made me see the fish in a whole new light.

“We’ll come back,” Winter promised after he explained that certain areas needed special tickets and they were sold out. “I promise. I want to know now too.”

“I’m a little bit worried about the tunnel now,” I admitted. “It might be another trip too when it’s not so crowded.”

“Yeah, or we can get like a season pass maybe? We’ll look into it. I love places like this.”

“You mad at me?” I finally asked as we moved on to the freshwater gallery, but two feet in I froze and gave him a look. “Too many.”

He nodded and guided me back to the main area and glanced at the map. “Let’s check out the cold water gallery. Has fish but a lot more and we can go by fast whatever is too much. Just lead me like you’re too excited to see what’s next if it’s loud.”