Page 73 of Talk Birdie to Me

James narrowed his eyes. “I still don’t like this. You can’t stop me from worrying about you.”

“And I appreciate that,” she said. “You just worry about Chelsea and this wedding, and I’ll worry about Gary.”

“Who’s worrying about you in this equation?” James smirked. “Oh, right. Cody, is it?”

Geena rolled her eyes and aimed her mug at the break room exit. “I’ve got a spreadsheet to get back to.”

She could hear James laughing behind her as she crossed the room. Then he noisily whispered, “I look forward to hearing about more zookeeper adventures!”

18

Geena locked her car and walked through the grassy parking lot that was currently more mud than grass. The day was supposed to be a break from the week’s incessant rains, but the ground was so saturated that it couldn’t absorb any more water.

She was glad for her decision to wear sneakers instead of her usual flats. Although she would have to wash her shoes as soon as she got home just from walking through the parking lot. Geena hoped the zoo paths were dryer than this.

As she approached the end of the row, Geena spotted Cody standing in front of the entrance. She almost didn’t recognize him out of his zoo uniform.

He’d been in normal clothes on their first meeting, but since then she’d only seen him in those khaki shorts and green polo with the zoo name embroidered on one side. This time he wore navy blue cargo shorts and a black T-shirt, and his hands were stuffed in his pockets as he rocked back and forth on his heels.

As she approached, a big grin spread across his face. It looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“What?” Geena glanced down at her shoes and noticed some mud splattered on the bottom of her jean legs. “Is something wrong? Should I have worn something else?”

“No, that’s perfect,” he said. “I’m just not used to you looking so relaxed. You’re usually still in work clothes.”

“You saw my pajama pants,” she said. “That’s pretty relaxed.”

“True. Then I guess this is a new in-between look.”

“Look who’s talking.” She nodded in his direction. “Almost didn’t recognize you.”

Cody looked down at his own outfit. “This is kind of how I always look.”

“Except when you show up in zoo uniforms.”

“All right, Bourque. Are we done discussing clothes?” Cody smiled again. “I’m more an actual horse guy than a clothes horse.”

Geena laughed. “That’s such a weird phrase. Even weirder coming out of your mouth.”

“You haven’t begun to see my weird.”

A shiver ran up her spine as those words floated through her brain.

She followed him inside the zoo, glad to see branching cement walkways ahead. There was an awkward silence, like walking into the zoo meant this was real. That they really were on a date now. And what that meant for the future.

Geena’s stance on casual dating was still in effect.

So why had she agreed to this?

The truth was, she’d been unable to say no. Her heart had, for once, overruled her head and all the logic it had lined up.

She was taking a terrifying leap. One that meant even if this went well, there would still be heartbreak ahead.

“So, Mr. Tour Guide,” she said, cutting herself off before she could mentally ponder her presence here and what it meant any longer. “What’s up first?”

“What are you looking forward to most?”

Geena thought for a moment. “What’s your favorite exhibit?”

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