A pang went through Ash, one so lined with conflicting emotions that he couldn’t tease out a specific one. “I’m…glad. You deserve good things. You deserve all the things.”

She looked up, meeting his gaze, questions there.

He cleared his throat, trying to keep his expression blank. “Well, if you like this vet guy, then I’m glad you said yes.”

“Yeah?”

He forced a smile. “Of course. I want you to be happy, KC.”

She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, embracing him and pressing her cheek to his chest. “Thanks, Ash. I want that for you, too.”

He closed his eyes and hugged her back, kissing the top of her head and inhaling the scent of her hair. He wasn’t even sure what happy felt like anymore. “I’m good, KC. I’m all good.”

And a liar.

Fifteen

Kincaid had managed to have the perfect date. In the world of dating, it’d win the blue ribbon, the shiny trophy, the sparkly tiara. People would throw flowers at this date. Marco was even more charming than she’d expected, so smart, and seemed genuinely interested in her. Not because he liked how she looked, though he’d definitely let her know that he did. Not because he was trying to get her in bed, though she doubted he’d turn her down if she offered. But because he honestly seemed to enjoy her company. He laughed at her jokes, had been nothing but a gentleman, and had treated her to a lovely dinner with good conversation. Now they were wrapping up a nighttime trip to the zoo where he had a special behind-the-scenes pass.

As they rounded a winding path, Marco reached out and took her hand. “Here, this way,” he whispered. “Let’s see if we get lucky.”

Kincaid lifted a brow. “That’s what she said.”

His lips hitched up in a wry smile as he led her off the path. They stopped in front of an enclosure marked Special Exhibit. In the near darkness, it was hard to tell what was inside beyond a few trees, but Marco pressed his finger over his lips and then pointed. She followed his signal and searched high in one of the trees. In the moonlight, she caught a flash of white. A large owl settled onto a branch and screeched, the sound like a needle scraping across an old record.

She sucked in a breath in awe and whispered, “He’s beautiful.”

Marco squeezed her hand and leaned close to her ear. “One of the benefits of coming here at night. The nocturnal animals are out.” He pointed to a spot near the back corner of the enclosure. “His mate’s back there. You can see her feathers. She’s got more brown mixed in with the white.”

Kincaid craned her neck to see. “What type of owl are they?”

“Barn owl,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Really fascinating animal.”

“How so?”

“For one, they mate for life,” he said. “They even show affection and cuddle like people would.”