“Nope, I’m past that point and settling into spinsterhood. Can we talk about getting some cats?”
Maggie rolled her eyes and ate the last bite of her challah French toast. “Whatever. I’m going to make it my duty to get you some booty. Know this, woman. I am going to get you laid!”
“I’m ready.” Cora laughed and picked up her phone to check the time and saw that she’d missed a text. “Wow, I think it’s already working ... Charlie Gill just texted me. Is this the start of your ‘get Cora laid’ promise?”
“Mr. I-have-a-girlfriend-but-don’t-act-like-it? Please. I thought we were past this douche.”
“Would you please stop saying that word?” Cora read the text out loud. “ ‘Sorry to get in touch on a Sunday, but can you call me today if you get a chance?’ ”
“He wants you tocallhim? Seriously? Do you guys usually text each other?”
“Sometimes. He sends me cute photos of Oliver. He asks training questions, we chat a little. He’s never this cryptic.”
“Call him, I wanna hear what he has to say.”
Cora hadn’t seen Charlie since their sushi session. Time had eased the sting of their conversation, and Cora used selective memory to block out Charlie’s marriage talk. She couldn’t stop thinking of the way his fingers felt as they brushed the top of her hand. Hehad beenflirting, she was sure of it. She’d replayed the night thousands of times in her head, and every time she came to the same conclusion: Charlie was attracted to her, too.
“Do it. I want to eavesdrop,” Maggie demanded.
Luckily, the yoga moms had left so they were alone on the patio. Cora sighed and dialed Charlie. The phone rang and rang, and Cora started to script the message she was going to leave when Charlie picked up, catching her off guard.
“Hey Cora, thanks for calling me!”
“No problem. What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great! Oliver is doing so awesome with his lessons, I can’t wait for you to see him. Anyway, I have kind of a weird question for you.”
Cora grimaced and looked at Maggie. “Okaaaay.”
“So every year the ALPF has this big fund-raising gala—”
“Oh, you need my services donated for the raffle. I get asked to do stuff like this all the time. Sure, no problem, I’d be happy to contribute.”
Charlie paused. “Well, that’s nice, but that’s not what I was going to ask. Every year I go all-out and buy a table for eight people and invite a bunch of my friends with the understanding that since I paid for the table, they have to bid on tons of auction stuff to support the cause. So this year I bought the big table, and six of my friends are in, but Madison’s not going to be back in time, so I’m one down. I would hate for the seat to go to waste, so would you want to go? It’s a really fun night for a cause I know you believe in. Oh, and the guest speaker this year?” He paused. “World-famous primatologist Alice Goodwin. Who doesn’t love Alice Goodwin?”
Cora’s heart thudded. She tried to hide her grin from Maggie. “IadoreAlice Goodwin, I’ve always wanted to see her!” Maggie furrowed her brow and tilted her head at Cora to signal her confusion. Cora turned away from her. “So Madison can’t make it?” Maggie dragged her chair over so that she could see Cora’s face and stared at her.
“Yeah, we thought she’d be back in time, but it’s not going to happen. We’re both so bummed. The gala is on the twenty-third. Want to check your calendar and let me know when I see you for our next lesson?”
“As long as it’s ... cool that I go. I mean, I don’t want to step on Madison’s toes or anything. Like, if she manages to change her plans, I’ll bow out, of course.”
“There’s like zero chance that she’ll make it. I’ll let her know that you’re going to be sitting in for her.” Cora’s stomach lurched as she pictured Madison getting the news. “Oh, and I don’t know if this will encourage or dissuade you, but it’s a formal event.”
“Well, that definitely adds a wrinkle. I don’t own a gown.” Maggie heard the wordgownand slapped both hands on the table in front of Cora.
“I guess there’s some shopping in your future then! Check your schedule and let me know if you can come, okay?”
“I will. And thanks again for thinking of me.” Cora hung up and stared at Maggie, incredulous. “He wants me to go to the ALPF gala. That thing is major, like the Academy Awards for animal people. I could make so many connections there.”
“Huh? Wha?” Maggie shook her head and acted like she couldn’t process what she was hearing. “Like adate? What the hell is going on with that guy?”
“No, no, not just the two of us. It’s not adatedate. He got a table, a bunch of his friends are going. Madison won’t be back in time, and he has an extra seat.”
“So he’s askingyouto go. You, the cute single chick, not his friend Larry from accounting. That’s weird, Cora.”
“I don’t think it’s like that,” Cora said, even though a tiny part of her was hoping that it actually was. “Alice Goodwin is going to be there, and he thought I’d like to hear her speak. You know I love her.”
“I can see right through you. Yeah, Alice is awesome, but that’snotthe reason you want to go.” Maggie shook her head. “I don’t think you should.”
