He blinked. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Yes.” Amusement lightened her eyes. “I asked about your friends. You said they were younger. How did you guys meet?”
“Uh, interesting enough, one I met through a ... consultation.” A movie one at that. Lamont Booker had been namedPeople’s “Sexiest Man Alive” one year, and Chris and Tuck never let him forget it.
“The other I met through the friend I made on the consulting job.”
“What does a wildlife conservationist do in a consulting job?” She tilted her head.
“Just that. I talked to him about what I do on a daily basis. Helped him get into character—” Chris coughed. “I mean, really understand the heart behind what I do.” Because Lamont was somewhat of a method actor.
Her brow bent slightly. “What do your friends do?”
“One’s an entertainer, and the other works with horses.” Lord forgive him for making light of his friends’ occupations. Tucker Hale was a Kentucky Derby–winning trainer, and Lamont had won countless awards for his movies. But Chris didn’t want to name drop when Erykah was opening up to him.
Perhaps his earlier concern had been a knee-jerk reaction at the memory of dating. It was obvious that Erykah wasn’t as open as some other women. He had to keep reminding himself that other people’s reactions might not have anything to do with him. They could be thinking of their own past or just having an off day.
It’s not you, it’s mewas quite accurate at times.
“What about you? What do your closest friends do?”
Immediately a detached expression replaced the friendly façade she’d presented. “I work a lot,” she muttered.
Did that mean she didn’t have any friends? He took a deep breath. “Well, don’t forget one of them hangs around animals all day.”
She peered at him through a lidded gaze. “You’re right, Chris.”
“You know, I think I accidentally lost my friend’s number.” He unlocked his cell and slid it her way. “You should add yourself to my contacts, so I won’t lose it again.”
Her shoulders shook as if holding back suppressed laughter. She added her number, then slid his phone back to him. “Points for cleverness.”
“Do I get points for charm as well?”
“Jury’s still out.”
He laughed. Getting to know Erykah Kennedy was going to be interesting.
Five
Work had seemed to drag, and my usual joy at doing something I was extremely competent in had waned with each passing hour. Finally, I was able to clock out. Now at the sight of the double doors showcasing the entrance to my condo, I was tempted to whimper in relief, but then a noise that sounded very real—and not coming from me—reached my ears. The pathetic nature of the whine told me it was an injured or fairly young animal. Seeing as the sun had already set, I wasn’t keen on searching the bushes for the culprit of said noise.
If this were a movie, I’d hightail it inside and pretend I’d never heard so much as a whisper. But the whimper sounded like the soft cries of a dog, and that made me think of Chris. What would he do in this situation?
I may have gone down the YouTube rabbit trail after the governor’s dinner, watching Chris’s many wildlife shorts. He was always respectful and cautious when nearing a wild animal. Should I do the same?
No, Erykah. We do not investigate noises. This could be a trap.
But I’d seenLady and the Trampone too many times asa kid and couldn’t ignore the pleas of the mystery howler. I squatted down, peering into the bushes just in time to see two eyes blinking at me.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
The irony of that being a leading question taught at CPR classes was not lost on me. However, I doubted there was a scripted question to ask potentially injured mammals.
The creature’s nose poked out, so I held my hand toward it like I’d seen done in countless movies. His nose twitched, and then a small paw came out of the bushes.
“It’s okay. I’m friendly.” Well, as friendly as I knew how to be.
Just because I didn’t talk to everyone I passed or sing “Kumbaya” with my coworkers didn’t mean that I was as bad as Miranda Priestly inThe Devil Wears Pradaeither.
