Page 31 of Talk Birdie to Me

Gary had seemed to understand that gesture from the start. Whether or not he complied with the request was another matter.

Just then, he received his own text. It was Lauren.

How’s that second date going?

He shook his head at the phone screen. He’d made that joke earlier with Geena, but he’d known it was just a joke. Lauren’s text, on the other hand, had the tone of a joke, but Cody knew there was sincerity beneath it.

Lauren was rooting for them to get together, even though Cody had made it clear that wasn’t good for either of them.

Still, Geena had seemed to be warming up to him this evening. Her icy exterior melted along with the hot cheese on their pizzas.

But there was no point even entertaining the idea of a relationship with her.

She wanted a commitment. A long-term companion. Someone to stick around and enjoy the pleasantness of her company and build a comfortable life together.

Cody was the last thing she wanted.

His original plan might have fallen through, but Cody was still on the hunt for a position at another zoo. He needed the adventure to continue.

No matter how comfortable it felt to be around her—just being together, eating pizza and hanging out—he and Geena weren’t compatible.

“Sorry about that.” Geena placed her phone on the coffee table. Her smile from earlier was long gone.

Cody wanted to have a talk with the guy who made that smile disappear. She seemed the type who didn’t smile like that very often. Definitely not often enough. She deserved to enjoy it for as long as she could.

“Everything okay?”

She shrugged. “It is now. Or at least I’m done with him for now.”

“Good.” Cody nodded at the cage. “Ready to get better acquainted with Gary?”

Her smile returned, but this one seemed a bit forced and laced with trepidation. Her voice faltered as she said, “Suuure.”

“It’ll be fine.”

Cody set to work explaining how much food and how often she would need to feed Gary and change his water. It really wasn’t complicated. Maybe a little intimidating for someone who’d never been around even a parakeet before. But the instructions themselves weren’t difficult.

He showed her the pellets and explained what to put in his cup each morning. Emphasizing to clean out the old food from the bowl first. Then he showed her the chop bags.

“What is that?” she asked with her nose scrunched.

“Precooked and portioned grains and vegetables. He gets one a day. I’m hoping you have enough room in your freezer. Otherwise, I can drop off more whenever you need.”

She stared wide-eyed at all the plastic bags. “How long do you expect him here?”

“Depends on how soon Taylor and the shelter people can find another foster or adopter. I just want to make sure you have enough.”

Geena still looked hesitant but managed to mutter, “Thanks.”

He figured he’d better move things along before she changed her mind about all of this.

“See these?” Cody pointed at the two feeder doors. “You can refill food and water through these. Just make sure they’re securely latched when you’re done.”

“I won’t forget that part. I promise.”

He believed her. Even if he hadn’t spent any time with her, he could hear the earnestness ringing through her voice. In fact, he was pretty sure the harder part would be getting her to open any of the doors at all.

“Why don’t you give it a go,” he said. “Open the food window, then unscrew and pull out the bowl to empty it. Then you can fill it. It’ll give you practice while I’m here. It’ll also give Gary a chance to know you’re where his food is coming from now.”

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