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She releases a chuckle before saying, “Well, that is true. You’ve been through a lot in just a short amount of time. Now, let’s go find you the perfect pet.”
When we enter the pet store, my mom heads straight for the dogs. As much as I love dogs and always begged Liam for one, I feel like I need something more low maintenance. I point towards the small animals and fish and tell Mom that I’m going to check them out first. Standing near the case of rabbits, I hear, “Hi Ms. Parker! Are you getting a pet?” I look up to see Riley Mitchell, Zayn’s daughter. But she’s not with Zayn. She’s with Samantha Leeman.
“Yes,” I look back to Riley. “I’m looking for a little buddy to keep me company now that I’ve moved back here. What are you guys up to?” I ask nonchalantly, hoping to find out why the two of them are together right now.
Samantha hears us chatting and her eyes light up when she sees me. “Autumn, how exciting to see you here today. We’re getting Riley her first pet today!” I take note of her use of the word, ‘we.’My heart starts beating rapidly and my stomach churns in knots.
I look back to Riley, trying to stay focused. “Oh, that’s awesome, Riley. Do you know what you’re going to get?”
“I want a bunny,” she says.
“Good choice. They’re so cute,” I say. I look back and forth between the two of them, trying to determine if Sam is Riley’s mom when my own mom taps me on the shoulder.
“Honey, you’ve got to come see this puppy,” she insists.
I tell Riley and Sam good luck with picking out the perfect bunny as my hand gives an awkward wave.
We end up leaving the store roughly half an hour later with not just a perfect pet, but one that’s perfect for me in particular—a hedgehog. Mom rolled her eyes when I first picked him up and announced he was the only one for me.
We make our way back to the car and mom helps me load the hedgehog’s cage into the back. She waves her index finger up and down and says, “Now, you be a good boy and enjoy your first car ride.”
I smile. I can tell he’s already growing on her.
When I finally get into the driver’s seat, I sit there for a moment to process seeing Riley with Sam in the store. It doesn’t make any sense as to why Zayn and Sam would have a kid together. I try to compute the math quickly, realizing that Riley is only a year younger than when Zayn and I were together. Did Zayn stay here to be with Sam?
Mom doesn’t add anymore on the subject, but simply asks, “I can’t believe you have a hedgehog now. Have you thought of a name for this little guy yet?”
“Hmmm,” I think aloud for a moment. I could name him Liam as a joke, but then I’ll have to continue saying Liam’s name much longer than I’d prefer. I look towards the backseat at the little guy in the cage. He’s curled up into a ball, guarding off any potential danger and showing off only his quills.
“Yes, I’ve got it. Quinton. Mom, meet Quinton the Hedgehog.”
Ifeel like I’m back in high school on our first date with the way my nerves feel right now. I look over at Zayn and catch him looking at me. I flash him a quick, nervous smile before I ask, “Alright, mister. Where are you taking me?”
Zayn shakes his head and releases a small chuckle. “I thought we’d agreed that it’d be a surprise.”
“True, but this drive is so long, and it feels like we’re headed to the middle of nowhere.” I stare out the window of the truck. “Look at this sunset view!”
“Absolutely gorgeous,” he says.
I glance over to Zayn to see if he’s actually agreeing with me, but I catch him only looking at me.
My eyebrow arches. “So, you’re really not going to tell me?” I ask.
He caves. “Fine, do you really want to know?”
I shake my head. “Of course, I do . . . we both know I hate surprises. I need a plan so I can mentally prepare. It was bad enough trusting a guy on how I should dress for the evening.”
Nodding, he says, “Okay, well . . . I’m not sure if it’s your thing anymore since I know you’ve been living in a rich city, but it’s a country bar, about fifteen more miles out.”
“Oh, hmm. You’re driving us somewhere far, in the middle of nowhere, that I’ve never been before,” I pause and turn my head completely toward him. “Zayn Mitchell, are you planning to murder me out here?”
He laughs. “If that is in fact the plan, you really think I’m about to tell that to you willy-nilly?”
“Fair enough,” I say. “So, do you have Pandora or Spotify?”
He shakes his head. “Call me old school, but this truck still has a CD player and basic radio.”
“Seriously? Why even bother having an iPhone then?” I ask him.
