Page 29 of Perfect Imperfections

Especially Bill the parrot.

“You’re fabulous, Doll-face!” The beautiful blue and gold macaw bobbed his head in greeting when she stepped up to his feed bowl.

“Hey there, Bill. Ya hungry today, buddy?”

“Ellie’s got a boyfriend. Ellie’s got a boyfriend,” Bill replied.

She stumbled in shock, almost dropping the scoop of nuts, seeds, and fruit she’d been about to place in his dish. Heat burning her cheeks, she turned to face her friend, who held a hand over her chuckling, meddling mouth.

“Where did he learn that?”

Cam held her hands up in exaggerated surprise. “I have no idea.”

“Yeah, right. He’s not my boyfriend. We just had dinner.”

“Strictly platonic.” Cam nodded.

“Totally platonic.”

“No sparks at all over the course of the night.”

She hesitated, not wanting to lie to her best friend, but also not entirely sure what had gone on the other night. Something had been going on under the surface of the evening. But maybe that had just been her? Who’s to say Sullivan felt anything for her? He certainly didn’t say anything or make a move…

“Ellie’s got a boyfriend. Ellie’s got a boyfriend.”

She turned a grumpy scowl on the parrot. “Can it unless you want nothing but pellets for the next week.”

Bill tilted his head. “You’re fabulous, Doll-face.”

“That’s better.”

She filled his bowl, not blaming the parrot. Wasn’t his fault her bestie taught him that ridiculous phrase. Boyfriend. What a silly word. Did adults even use the term? Wasn’t lover the preferred nomenclature?

How would I know? I haven’t had sex in ages.

Okay, not ages, but it had been a while. After her last breakup, she’d had a disastrous one-night stand and decided men just weren’t worth it. Not when she had her trusty BOB in her bedside drawer.

“I’m going to get you for this,” she muttered to Cam. The woman just laughed and moved on to fill the other bowls.

Once all the animals were fed, they moved back to the kitchen area to clean up. Ellie’s phone chirped in her pocket.

“You really need to change your notification.” Cam placed a hand on her chest. “Every time someone texts you, I think there’s a bird loose.”

She chuckled because besides Cam and her mother—who rarely texted because she preferred to speak to real people—not many people texted her. So, unless her friend was sending her a funny meme or an article on the latest breeding practices for penguins, her phone didn’t chirp much.

Curious about who could be messaging her, she pulled the device from her pocket. Her lips pulled into a wide grin when she saw the sender.

Sullivan: Does the zoo sell elephant-themed party supplies?

An odd question for a doctor to ask. Unless said doctor had a seven-year-old daughter in love with elephants.

Ellie: I think we might have something to fit the bill.

Sullivan: Yes! Charlotte decided she wants an elephant-themed birthday party and every store I’ve been to has zero options.

Ellie: Let me see what I can scrounge up.

Sullivan: You are a lifesaver.

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