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Jake couldn’t stop thinking about this morning, when he’d heard her screaming. He went into her room to wake her from her nightmare, only to see her in her pajamas with her hair down and her glasses off.
He had to admit, in that moment, she really was beautiful.
Her hair was a deep, dark shade of red that he’d never known could be natural. Plus, her amber eyes had sparkled in the morning light, and her cheeks were flushed nearly as dark as her hair.
Jake felt heat rush to his face just thinking about it. Did he actually find Fiona attractive? Of course he’d thought she was a pretty and unique girl before, but this was… different.
He had to shake it off.
He was still heartbroken about Lauren, and surely, this attraction to Fiona was just his mind’s way of trying to distract him from the woman he really wanted.
Either way, he was trying to keep it out of his mind as he drove with Fiona, inching his way through Portland’s traffic.
“So, Red,” Jake began to fill the silence, “you and that Theo guy… any history there? Romantically?” Jake wasn’t sure why he asked; he’d noticed Theo seemed to be trying to make Fiona jealous earlier, and he wondered if they’d ever dated.
Fiona glowered. “Absolutely not. He asked me out during school, and I rejected him, and he’s held a grudge ever since.”
“Very childish of him,” Jake said.
“I’ve never even had a boyfriend,” Fiona blurted.
Jake glanced at her. “What? Aren’t you twenty-six?”
“Yes, but…” She sighed. “It’s never felt right.”
“Ah,” Jake nodded. He’d been the same way. It wasn’t until he met Lauren that he actually wanted to date someone for real. “Well, maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet.”
“Maybe…” she trailed off. “I’m actually talking to someone right now.”
Jake lifted a brow. “You are?” He hadn’t expected her to tell him that. Fiona was so reserved, and it actually made more sense that she was being quiet about her dating life. He was surprised she’d share it, but at the same time, they were getting to know each other.
She’d told him about her missing sister, after all…
“Yes,” Fiona said. “His name is Mark. We went on one date, but it went well. He seems genuine.”
“That’s great,” Jake said. “I’m sure it’ll work out.”
Fiona smiled. “Thanks. I’m really hoping it does.”
They drove in silence for a while longer, until finally, they were at the street that would lead to Shady Acres Zoo. The sunlight peeking through the trees slowly faded away as they drove along the desolate road. In the distance, they could make out the silhouette of a large building, which they soon realized was Shady Acres Zoo. As they got closer, they could see the colorful signs and enclosures scattered throughout the property.
“Wow,” Fiona mused. “This place looks incredible. You’d never think this was in the city.”
“It’s definitely a hidden gem,” Jake agreed.
They pulled into the parking lot, which was surprisingly empty for such a nice day. Jake pulled his car into an open spot and put it into park. “Well, here we are,” he said, turning off the engine.
Just then, Jake’s phone buzzed. He took it out, nervous it was Chief telling him another body had been found.
But it was a name he almost didn’t expect to ever see again.
Lauren was calling him.
Jake’s breath caught, and he stared at the screen. He had to answer it—but it needed to be alone.
“Hey, Red, you mind if I take this in private?” he asked her.
Fiona nodded and got out of the car, gently closing the door behind her. Once Jake was alone, he answered the phone.
