Steven helped me into the back seat. “We're supposed to be showing you around, remember? But really, we’re glad to be here with you, too. Believe me, we wouldn’t have invited you for another excursion if we didn’t want to spend time with you.”
Warmth bloomed in me. Theywantedto spend more time with me beyond the bet. Good. I was having a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t mind having a few more cute little outings before spring break was over.
“I’m glad I’m more than a duty.” I looked into his eyes. That meant everything–they were doing this because they were having fun. Not because they had to.
“You're no chore. I promise,” Ashton said, turning around in the front seat.
That made me feel all warm and squishy. Steven got in the front seat and the three of us set off for the zoo.
It was a very warm day, but I had fun as we saw the animals. We were looking at the elephants when Ashton disappeared, leaving me alone with Steven.
“How are you feeling today and I don’t just mean on a scale of one to twelve trash pandas? Do you need cuddles? Do you need food? Do you need to be told that you’re attractive and fed tacos?” Steven asked. “We’re happy to change any plans to meet your needs.”
Oh, wow. Someone had taught him well.
"I'm not hungry yet. But I’m having fun–and I appreciate the consideration,” I laughed.
Ashton appeared balancing three snow cones–each a different flavor. “I got everyone snow cones. It’s warm today. I wasn’t sure which one everyone would want, so I just got one of each. Kai gets to choose first.”
There was red, purple, and blue.
“I’ll take the purple one. Thank you.” I took a lick and the cool sweetness exploded across my tongue.Perfection.
“I worry. You don’t have a water bottle.” He didn’t either, but Steven carried one attached to his belt loop and both of them used it.
“There’s one in my mini backpack. It’s small. I usually fill it up when I go to the bathroom. I don’t like to carry a lot of things around,” I explained.
“Good. Let me know if you need a cold drink– especially something besides iced coffee,” he added.
“I will.” I was getting a little hungry, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the plan was. If needed, I could always just buy myself a snack.
We ate our snow cones as we walked. Ashton reached out and took my hand, giving it a squeeze, and we looked at the zebras, giraffes, and lions.
My mind kept going back to last night and them holding me in the bar. There was a point where I thought maybe Steven would kiss me.
I could smell that Steven was interested too, but the fact that they didn’t make a move meant everything. I had a feeling that meant they were waiting for me to take the lead out of respect.
And I liked that a lot.
Now I walked in the middle of them, holding both of their hands, swinging mine as we went through the aviary to see the different types of birds.
We exited the area and found the greenhouse. It was actually an entire rainforest exhibit, with little quizzes and friendly docents.
I got into quite the conversation with one of the docents about invasive species. I finally realized we’d been talking for a long time. Embarrassment coated me, because the guys were just patiently standing there, waiting for me to finish.
“Sorry,” I apologized.
Steven pulled me to him. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. We brought you here because we thought you’d like it. The fact that you do makes us happy,” he explained with a grin.
“It's interesting,” Ashton added.
I relaxed, glad that they didn’t think that I was wasting their time.
We left the greenhouse and continued walking. I saw several really nice trees for climbing, but unlike the arboretum, these all had signs that saidplease do not climb the trees.
Turning the corner, I saw a kids play area that had the most amazing rope climbing structure, with bridges and slides. How marvelous.
Since yesterday I’d tagged Steven, today I’d get Ashton, wanting to be fair.
