Page 20 of Refurbished

Chapter ten

EION

I’d kissed Angus, then I did it again, and I wanted to do it a whole lot more. We had spent the afternoon flirting and touching, which I had hoped meant more. He was very different as a person than what his exterior showed. I knew that under those clothes, he would have perfectly defined muscles, and I wanted to enjoy all of that physicality. But what was most attractive to me was his soul.

When I watched him with the bears, then Annabelle, his kits, and the fox, the solid ice around my heart melted. It hurt to know that when I needed someone the most, I was left alone. But Angus seemed like the type of man who wouldn’t care about my injury, but I was still afraid of his response when he found out. The animals never cared that I struggled a bit, but they didn’t want to be naked with me. More than anything, I hoped I could be naked with Angus. Thinking about him made me need to reach out to him even though he hadn’t been gone long.

EION

I had a great day with you

I knew we left things a little off, and I wanted to try to make up for that. Angus accepted my need to run and never got upset or questioned me. How did he understand me so well?

ANGUS

Best. Date. Ever.

When can I see you again?

Another afternoon at the Sanctuary is fine if you aren’t ready for more.

I sighed. This man was incredibly special, and I didn’t think he even realized it. More than anything, I wanted to know him better. It had been about three hours since I told Angus I needed time, and I already wanted to beg him to come back. I wanted him with me while I figured things out.

That made no sense, but I felt both things deeply.

“What do you think?” I looked up at the giraffe, and he nibbled at my hair. “That’s not much of an answer.” Barnaby weaved between Orlando’s legs, and the two of them pranced around. “I like him a lot. The most I’ve liked someone, and that includes that asshole, Trey.”

They wouldn’t know who Trey actually was since the jerk left me when I was still in my hospital bed. Our life would change, and he wasn’t prepared to deal with someone who had a disability. The sweet giraffe was one of my first rescues. He had been living at another sanctuary, and they were moving to another state. I offered to let Orlando live with me, since it would be less stressful for him to move a few miles than across the country. Orlando and Annabelle stayed in the same enclosure for a long time. When a pregnant doe came to live with us, I created the deer enclosure, which ran along Orlando’s stall, so the two best friends could visit. Thinking about the whole thing made me want to tell Angus. I pulled out my phone.

EION

You have to meet Orlando next time you are here.

He is Annabelle’s best friend

I had no idea what he was up to tonight. Maybe I should have invited him to spend the evening with me. I was so bad at this. My phone chimed.

ANGUS

I’d love to, even though I still haven’t seen him.

“Okay, Orlando. I need you to look your best.” I held my phone up, and Orlando leaned down and pulled on the hood of my sweatshirt. “Smile, buddy.” I took the picture and sent it to Angus.

EION

He’s the giraffe I mentioned. The second resident of the Sanctuary.

ANGUS

Sqeeee. Yes, I want to meet him, please.

There wasn’t really any doubt we would see each other again, but this extra confirmation made me a bit tingly. The next time we were together, I needed to share the truth about me with him.

EION

Any time you want.

ANGUS