“Have you already ordered?” he asked.

“We have,” Finley answered.

He requested the taco special without needing to look at a menu, and their server moved off.

Don’t give him moony eyes, Akira! She was twenty-eight years old, yet her sisters claimed she still gave moony eyes to men she found attractive.

“Thanks for inviting me to join you,” he said to Finley.

“I’m glad you were able to get away from the high school long enough to meet us for lunch.”

“It’s an in-service day.”

“Are you a teacher?” Akira asked.

“I am. I teach eleventh-grade science.”

Inwardly, she swooned. Ministering to children was her life purpose.

Finley straightened her flowy print blouse. “Akira’s the head of our after-school program. At present, that’s the area of our operation most in need of volunteer support.”

“That would be a good fit for me,” he said. “I love kids.”

She imagined the sound of police sirens. Do not fall in love with him, Akira!

This was a terrible time for one of her ill-fated crushes. The last nine months had been the worst of her life health wise, as well as mental health wise.

Having Ben as a boyfriend would be the best possible kind of self-care, her heart stage-whispered to her.

No, it wouldn’t, her mind hissed back.

What were the chances that he would like her? But even if he did, she couldn’t ignore the hulking shipwrecks of her three past love-at-first-sight endeavors.

“Can you tell us a little about why you’re interested in volunteering at Furry Tails?” Finley asked.

“Luke Dempsey.”

Akira’s eyes rounded. Back when Finley had informed the staff that she would be hiring a parolee, Akira had been concerned. Meeting Luke hadn’t reassured her. When he was working at his desk, he gave off a don’t-bother-me vibe. Her interactions with him so far had been brief and uncomfortable.

Intimidating. That was the best word to describe Luke. She counted it a blessing that he’d yet to mug her.

“Did Luke recommend Furry Tails to you?” Finley asked Ben.

“No.”

“I was going to be surprised if he had,” Finley admitted. “He’s not yet Furry Tails’ number one fan.”

“He’s an old friend of mine. It’s been a long time since we were close, but I’m not ready to give up. If I volunteer at Furry Tails, I’ll have an in with Luke. Plus, I really like what I’ve heard about the work you’re doing.”

“You and Luke are both part of the Miracle Five,” Akira said. She’d long known of Ben, in the way she’d long known of Elvis. Ben was the Misty River equivalent of a celebrity.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I knew Luke before the earthquake. I was with him during. And it’s no secret that he’s never been the same since.”