Chapter 24: Chapter 24

AVERY

The next morning is a perfect day for wandering around the zoo. The weather is just right, warm enough to get by with a light sweater and jeans.

Reed’s already there, waiting for me by the massive green doors when I arrive. He’s dressed in a light-brown jacket and black denim that fit him perfectly. He’s grinning like he was the victor of last night’s bet.

“So, which way?” he asks. “Inside or outside first?”

“Let’s start outside. It’d be a shame to waste this gorgeous weather.”

“Outside it is, then.” He nods. “Go ahead, smarty-pants. Share your female wisdom.”

We round the corner and stop at the first exhibit.

“First things first, know your boy bands. All girls love boy bands, no matter their age. There’s Backstreet Boys, N’SYNC, One Direction, New Kids on the Block, and so on.”

Reed chuckles. “I know about boy bands. You’ve been a Backstreet Boys fan your whole life.”

I look at him in surprise. “You knew that? I didn’t think you paid attention to stuff like that.”

“I always pay attention to you,” he says so casually as we move on, like he didn’t just say something that makes my heart flutter.

“But did you ever listen to the Backstreet Boys?”

He nods. “Yeah. I got curious.”

“And?”

He shakes his head. “No way. Answering that would cost me my man card.”

“Come on, Reed. Just tell me,” I insist, practically bouncing on my toes in anticipation.

“Do you promise not to tell?” He turns to face me, his honey-colored eyes sparkling.

“I promise.”

“I’ll admit. There were a few songs that weren’t entirely…unbearable,” he confesses, tilting his head in a half-shrug.

“Oh, stop it!” I give his shoulder a playful shove. “They were better than that. You heard some bangers, don’t lie.”

“‘Bangers’?”

“You know, amazing, awesome, catchy, bad-fucking-ass songs.”

He laughs. “I don’t think any of those songs qualify as ‘bangers.’”

“Oh, you’re lying. You’re so lying.” I scrunch up my face and glare at him. “I see right through you. You’re a secret fan.”

He laughs. “You got me.”

“Now, on to the next topic. Self-care.”

Reed groans. “Do we have to?”

“If you want to win over your dream girl—in both senses of the word—then yes.”

“Oh, ho-ho. You’re funny.”

I shrug. “What can I say? I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”

He gives me a half-smile. “So, what else is there to know besides makeup, nails, and hair?”

“Brand names. You need to know where to buy the things she wants. Especially if you screw up.”

“Is that really important?”

I scoff. “Essential.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“Really the only place you need to know about is Sephora. It’s a makeup lover’s paradise. They have everything. Creams, makeup, lotions, masks…and it’s full of helpful staff who can assist you with anything. Think of it like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Take her to Sephora, and all will be forgiven.”

“That’s a lot to remember,” he teases, searching my face for evidence of makeup. “Do you use all of that?”

“Sometimes. But usually, I prefer to go more natural unless I’m going out.”

“I remember the pink sheen on your eyelids when we sang together, and the blue stuff when you tried to get that guy’s number.”

“‘Tried’?” I shake my head. “No, no. It was mine until you stepped in.”

“I was only saving you from the embarrassment of being rejected.”

“Oh, whatever.” I roll my eyes. “He was totally going to give me his number.”

I hurry past him, heading for the brown bear exhibit and trying not to get upset at the fact that Reed thinks I’m such a hopeless case. He catches up quickly, leaning next to me against the railing.

“So, what’s next in Avery 101?”

Still sulking, I glance over my shoulder to glare at him. “Nothing. You passed.”

“Come on, Avery. Don’t be like that.” He reaches out to touch my shoulder.

“No, I get it.” I pull away from his touch, feeling slighted. “You think I can’t even get one lousy phone number from someone in a bar. I don’t need a reminder of the fact that I have no clue what I’m doing.”

He meets my gaze, eyes soft and remorseful. “I took the joke too far. I’m sorry.” A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Let me make it up to you.”

“How?”

“Wanna go to Sephora?” A low chuckle escapes him. “I’ll get you anything you want.”

I giggle, playfully shoving his shoulder as I steer the conversation back. “Har har. All right, let’s move on to my favorite topic: television and cinema.”

“I’m all ears, professor.” He gives a playful salute and falls into step with me as we walk toward the next exhibit.

“Medical dramas, especially the one that’s been on for twenty seasons, are going to be important to Miss Dreamy. Watch it with her and know all the doctors and drama going on at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.”

Reed’s face pales as he tries to keep up. I know I’m talking too fast. I can’t help it. I’m kind of really obsessive about the shows I watch with Olive. We have so many marathons, it’s a miracle that we ever get any sleep.

“On top of that, police dramas, horse dramas, teen dramas… My favorite is about two brothers from different worlds who share a love for basketball… That horror show with the hot actor whose name I can’t remember right now,” I say, listing them off on my fingers as we come to the monkey exhibit.

“Horror?”

I nod, confirming. “Lots of wild plots and loads of gore, but you just can’t get enough. The best part is that each season has a different theme and tells a new story. You’ll probably really enjoy that one actually.”

He nods.

“What else?” I continue. “Oh, soap operas. She’ll watch at least one, probably because her mom never missed an episode. Crime dramas and true crime documentaries. Those are like crack. Once you start, you can’t stop, and before you know it, you’re trying to solve the mystery by the fifth episode.”

“Okay. And movies?”

“The big one in my book is the wizarding franchise. Your girl will probably already know her house and has gone through all the books and movies. Or she might prefer the vampire-and-werewolf saga.” I shrug. “Who am I kidding? She probably enjoys both.”

Reed laughs. “Wizarding worlds? Vampires and werewolves?”

“You got it.” I wink, shifting my attention to a monkey pressing his hand against the glass. I step up, mirroring his movements. “Hey there, little guy. Do you wanna be my friend?”

The monkey’s dark eyes study me before he places his hand against mine, opening and closing his mouth as if trying to communicate.

“You have a house then, I assume?” Reed asks curiously.

I chuckle and move my hand around against the glass, enticing the monkey to follow. “Of course I do. Haven’t you noticed the red-and-gold stuff around the apartment?”

“No, but I have seen a lot of green and silver. Especially in the bathroom.”

“Those are Olive’s house colors,” I say with a laugh.

He snaps his fingers. “Oh, wait! I do remember that super comfortable red-and-gold velvet blanket on your bed.”

“Josh got me that for Christmas three years ago. It’s my favorite blanket.” I smile.

Eventually, the monkey loses interest and scampers off after a smaller one, so Reed and I move on.

“What else do I need to know so that I don’t make an ass of myself when trying to make conversation? Apparently, women require that sort of stuff,” he muses, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Honestly? Just listen to her. Show her that you’re interested in what she has to say. It’s pretty simple. The other stuff is just a bonus,” I conclude, spotting some penguins up ahead.

I jog over to where they’re darting and diving through the water behind thick layers of glass. Reed closes the distance in no time, standing beside me with his hands on the window.

“That’s it? Just listen?”

I nod and smile. “We’re really not that complicated, Reed. Now, can we please look at the adorable animals?”