Page 10 of Lucius

She told him about working at her mom’s salon and making a little extra money with an online craft site where she booked the occasional custom picture.

After they’d gotten their burgers, fries, and drinks, they sat at a picnic table under a shade tree to get some relief from the bright sunshine.

“So you’d like to do art for a living?” he asked.

“Definitely. I don’t know that it will ever happen, though.”

She told him about her mom’s guilt trips whenever she tried to do something that took her away from the salon, which was compounded by her father’s death and her mom’s insistence that the salon was the family business and Sidney needed to be part of it to the exclusion of all else.

“That’s not very fair,” he said.

“No, it’s not. Coming here today was the first thing that I’ve done for myself in ages. I just ignored her behavior and guilt trips and decided it was high time I did something that was fun. I should be able to do things that make me happy.”

“Family guilt is rough.”

“Your family?” she asked.

“I came here with my Dad and brothers, but I’m not close to my mom,” he said.

“Do you ever talk to her?”

“Not since long before we left and came here.” Coming to New Jersey was the best thing he’d ever done, and the reason forthat change was sitting right in front of him. If he’d never left his home pride, he’d never have met Sidney.

That was a future he didn’t want to think about.

Not only was she gorgeous, but she was funny and sweet.

“Doing what’s best for ourselves is tough when family doesn’t support us. I’m sorry your mom gave you a hard time about today, but I’m so glad that you’re here.”

She took a bite of the burger and hummed. As she finished her bite, she said, “You know what? I’m feeling like coming here was very much fate. Like I was destined to get that email coupon and come here today. Do you believe in fate?”

“Absolutely.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Good. I wouldn’t want to be the only one who thinks it was destiny that I came here today.”

“I definitely think you were supposed to be here today, and so was I.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, neither saying anything, and then she smiled. “Lucius, this is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life. And you’re the best company for a meal. Thanks for arranging things for me today. You’re pretty amazing.”

“You’re pretty amazing too, Sidney, and definitely the best company as well.”

She smiled like she wasn’t used to being complimented, and he decided to make sure he complimented her tons so she realized how special she was. He hadn’t known her long and already knew that was true.

His soulmate was one incredible female.

After lunch,Lucius accompanied Sidney to the bird sanctuary for the one o’clock show. She’d wanted to check it out, but the reservation system said it was full so she’d hoped to be able to at least see some birds to sketch or take pictures of without having to see a show. He’d simply winked at her and told him he had an “in” with the people who ran the sanctuary.

Angel’s Sanctuary for Birds was a combination bird hospital and refuge that many birds called home if they weren’t able to be released into the wild after treatment and rehabilitation. Among the huge cages were a macaw and an eagle, as well as a vulture, a condor, and several owls. The show featured live presentations with the larger birds and short talks about conservation and the birds’ habitats.

They approached the big red barn that contained the bird hospital and he knocked before opening the door.

“Hey, Jess,” he said, smiling at a woman standing at a desk and looking at a computer.

“Hi, Lucius, who’s your friend?”

“This is Sidney. Sidney, this is Jess. She and her husband Evan run the hospital, along with Cael, who is the resident vet for all the animals in the park.”

“We also have a new assistant,” Jess said, coming over and shaking Sidney’s hand. “Her name is Maggie. She’s learning the ropes and is going to help with the one o’clock show today. Are you going to sit in for the show?”

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