10 #3
I glanced to my right and saw a double stroller and saw the twins.
They were really cute. I whispered to Winter what the male shark had said.
The next one was bored, saying that he was basically doing it because they got extra treats if they entertained the humans and were sociable.
Wow, it was cool they understood that much.
A lot of animals did, but now I knew from Julie, the owl on campus, it was because they learned being around familiars. So honestly, it was a bit like relearning it all from the start for me at times.
I frowned when the next one came up. “That one just broke up with his girlfriend in there. She cheated with one of the other ones. She’s pregnant. Aw, cheating’s never okay, even for conservation efforts.”
“Is this like a date idea or something?” a lady from the left said and made me jump.
She was glancing between us. “You make up stories for the fish or animals when you go places? That’s actually a really cute and creative way to stay off your phones and be engaged. I’ll have to try that with my husband.”
“I read it in a suggestions forum,” Winter smoothly told her. “I was nervous because I’ve not had many girlfriends and she’s got a lot of attention, so I wanted to be different. We have fun with it. I’ve seen a whole other side of her and how creative she is.”
“I love that,” the woman praised. “Good for you both.” She winked at me. “What a keeper, hon. Nicely done. Sometimes us sweet ones win after all.” She chuckled when I flushed. “Enjoy your visit.”
I thanked her and she moved on with her two kids. Then I kissed under Winter’s chin, glad he was so quick on his feet. “That’s actually an amazing cover.”
“It is,” he agreed. “And I feel bad for that shark. I wish it was like other places where you can buy them treats. I’d get him a bucket of something good.”
“For sure,” I agreed.
But the cover was amazing and we used a few times as I told him what I heard. Like the huge school of fish in the tank with the sharks?
They didn’t call out directions like the military saying right and left over again when marching or jogging.
No, it was like a group leader and a few designated ones on the sides to repeat it back to others.
I wouldn’t have guessed that. Totally fascinated and made me see the fish in a whole new light.
“We’ll come back,” Winter promised after he explained that certain areas needed special tickets and they were sold out. “I promise. I want to know now too.”
“I’m a little bit worried about the tunnel now,” I admitted. “It might be another trip too when it’s not so crowded.”
“Yeah, or we can get like a season pass maybe? We’ll look into it. I love places like this.”
“You mad at me?” I finally asked as we moved on to the freshwater gallery, but two feet in I froze and gave him a look. “Too many.”
He nodded and guided me back to the main area and glanced at the map. “Let’s check out the cold water gallery. Has fish but a lot more and we can go by fast whatever is too much. Just lead me like you’re too excited to see what’s next if it’s loud.”
“Got it.” I took his hand and we went in. It was a little overwhelming by the kelp forest tank, but I also learned a lot of fish were pretty bitchy. I smothered a laugh and then remembered the cover, pointing at one by the glass. “Keeps calling the other fish fat.”
Winter chuckled and pointed to another. “That one?”
I cringed. “Has a crush on a kelp bass even though it’s a halfmoon.
Not sure how that works?” I told him several more things including one who did, in fact, comment on the poop of other fish which amused us both.
He was quiet and nodded which made me ramble a bit much until I pushed too hard and he pulled me along to some benches where it was quieter.
Well, from the fish at least.
He let out a long breath as we sat. “I’m not mad. Not at all.”
“But?” I whispered.
“I can’t help this knot in my gut that somehow…
” He turned to face me and waited until I did the same.
He tucked some hair behind my ear. “I’m falling for you, Bev.
Totally and completely, even if this is a lot of crazy and not the life I saw.
I wanted to do what I could to avoid the traps and just get me and my friends out unscathed. ”
“And I risk that?”
“No. No, never. I’m not worried about that. At all.”
“Then I’m confused.”
He seemed to struggle with what to say next and that wasn’t like Winter.
“Don’t ask me to ever choose between you and Teddy because I won’t be able to, okay?
” He grabbed my hands when I went to stand and kept me there.
“I’m not saying you are. I’m not even saying this is something like that.
I just have this knot in my stomach that… ”
“A feeling it’s coming that you can’t shake?” I hedged, swallowing loudly when I saw the answer in his eyes. I pushed aside how that made me feel and stared down at his big hands holding mine, making me feel safe, and gave him the grace he always gave me. I seriously considered what he said.
For a few minutes even.
“Bev?” he whispered like he worried he’d fucked up and pushed me too far.
Had he?