Page 65 of Perfect Imperfections

“Sounds exciting.”

It was. To her, at least. Two weeks had passed since she and Sullivan had officially started seeing each other. The best two weeks of her life. They’d only managed to squeeze in a few nights of alone time between their jobs and his duty as a father, but every moment she spent with Sullivan was wonderful. Charlotte had insisted Ellie come over every Sunday for dinner and Friday for puzzle night. Ellie was discovering she was as big a sucker as Sullivan. She couldn’t say no to anything the sweet little girl asked of her.

“We’re doing an elephant puzzle tonight.”

Cam laughed. “Of course you are.”

Charlotte seemed to grow more obsessed with the large animals every day.

“Why don’t you head on out? I can finish up around here by myself.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

Her friend reached out, grabbing the wet bucket from her hands. “You’re not asking, Ellie. I’m offering. Go. Have fun at puzzle night with your boyfriend and his daughter.”

Boyfriend.

Such a strange word to use. It felt so juvenile. It didn’t even come close to describing the way she felt about Sullivan, but what else was she supposed to call him? Lover? That sounded too much like those characters on one of her mother’s soap operas. Man she was dating was too much of a mouthful. She supposed Cam had it right. Sullivan was her boyfriend, as silly as it sounded to her.

She had to admit, it evoked a sensation of butterflies fluttering about in her stomach every time she thought about it, like the first time she’d seen Taylor Lautner. The strange awareness low in her gut that conjured something inside she hadn’t felt before. But Sullivan wasn’t some schoolgirl Hollywood crush. Her feelings for him were stronger. Deeper.

“You’re sure?” she asked again, desperate to leave, but not wanting to shirk her responsibilities simply because she was excited for puzzle night. Something she’d never, in a million years, thought she would find exciting.

“Yes. Now go while I’m still in a generous mood.”

She snaked her arm around her friend’s waist, giving her a side hug since their height disparity made front hugs a face full of Cam boobs for Ellie.

“You’re always generous because you’re an amazing friend, and I love you.”

“Love you too, Doll-face. Now get.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Without another word, she headed out the back of the aviary and to the employee parking lot. She’d need to stop at her place for a quick shower. Bill had aimed with amazing accuracy today during feeding time. Dang macaw landed a perfect poop streak down the front of her shirt. She’d cleaned it up, but working with animals always made a person smell. No matter how hard she tried to stay clean, the smells hung in the air, permeating clothing, hair, and skin.

Luckily, she had a special soap at home that washed all the stink away. She never minded it much. By now she was used to animal smells, but other people weren’t as desensitized. And no one was as honest as an eight-year-old. Last Friday night she hadn’t had the time to shower before heading over and sweet Charlotte asked Ellie why she smelled like sour milk. Sullivan had been embarrassed, but she just laughed. She had smelled like sour milk. The kid was just being honest. Ellie appreciated honesty.

Thanks to Cam, tonight she would be sour milk free.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, she grabbed the brownies she’d made last night and hopped back into her car. Thankfully, there was no traffic on the way to Sullivan’s and she parked by his house just as his fancy electric car pulled into the driveway.

“Ellie! Ellie!” Charlotte came bursting out of the car, waving her arms wildly in the air as if Ellie wasn’t five feet away.

“Hey, sweetie.”

She grabbed the brownies from the passenger seat, locking her car and checking the handle three times before bending down to open her arms for the launching hug she knew she was about to receive.

“Oof!” She stumbled a bit on the tips of her toes, staying upright in her squat as Charlotte’s arm flew around her neck.

“Charlotte!” Sullivan sighed as he shut the car door his daughter had left open in her excitement. “Can you let Ellie get into the house before you overwhelm her with your enthusiasm?”

“It’s fine,” she laughed, rising to her feet, and juggling the little girl on one hip and the chocolate dish in her other hand.

Sullivan shook his head with a smile. “You get off early?”

“Yeah. Cam practically pushed me out the door when she heard it was puzzle night.”

“I think I’m a fan of your friend.”

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