“You almost ran it over, Pete!” Julie brushes off her knees.
“Didn’t even see the thing.”
Julie sighs. “How could you? He was probably hiding under the car.”
“I bet the engine scared him out,” I say.
Calder motions to the field next to the parking lot, and I follow him over, leaving our bags on the pavement.
“Have a good night you two!” Julie calls, and Calder waves for both of us.
He walks up to the fence and finds a gap, lifting the chain link so I can push the bunny through. The little guy sits there for a moment, but as soon as Calder drops his hand, he takes off into the grass.
Calder bends the fence straight. It doesn’t fully meet the ground, but that’s not a problem we can solve tonight.
“We saved a bunny.” I straighten and am about to brush the hair that escaped my elastic out of my face when Calder catches my wrists.
“Don’t touch anything.”
“Wha—?”
“You just touched a wild animal. We need to wash your hands.”
“I have sanitizer in the car.”
He shakes his head. “No way. You need to wash with soap.”
I snort. “It’s fine, I only held him for two seconds.”
“Three minutes, and bacteria doesn’t hang out before it decides to transmit to your hands.”
He lets go of my arms carefully, watching to make sure I’m being obedient.
“I won’t touch anything. Promise. But where can I wash my hands? Smash Point is close?—”
Calder takes off. He runs to the front of the building and knocks. The employee must still be in there because the door opens.
I jog over as fast as I can with my hands still outstretched, and when I arrive, Calder motions me inside.
“Doors are locked. When you leave you won’t be able to get back in,” the staff member instructs.
“Got it.” Calder walks with me through the entryway. The lights are all off except for two emergency lights.
I bump into something on my right and laugh. “I’m going to fall flat on my face.”
“This way.” Calder’s hand slips around my waist, and I shiver. “Sorry.”
“No, I like it. I mean, I like that you’re keeping me upright.” I would’ve face-palmed if I weren’t worried Calder would then make me take a full-body shower.
He leads me into the restroom and the motion lights flick on.
“Don’t touch the handle.” He walks past me and turns on the warm water, then waits for me to put my hands under the soap dispenser, and pushes the button.
I rub the soap between my palms.
He grimaces. “What are you doing?”
“Washing my hands.”
