I, on the other hand, had to beg and scrape for every little thing I got. And even then, it wasn’t enough. On top of everything else, I was expected to be on the arm of a guy to really be complete.
Such bullshit.
“I always loved animals, wanted to help them. I liked science, so it was a natural path to follow.”
I knew it. So much easier for men.
“What about you?” he asked.
“I’m a paralegal. It’s kind of like a junior lawyer. I’m assigned a senior partner, and I do as much as possible with our clients and their cases until she needs to take it over.”
“Ah. Must be so different from what I do. Animals coming in, you never know what you’re going to get. And the owners can be even crazier than their pets.”
“Kind of like my sister?” I asked with a smile.
He tilted his head. “Let’s put it this way. I’ve seen more eccentric than your sister. But, this was the first time I had someone tell me they meditated with a rat.” He laughed and shook his head.
The bartender dropped off another round of drinks, and Von took a deep draw on his beer. When he was done, there was a tiny bit of foam on his upper lip. I wouldn’t have minded helping him out with that, using my lips.
Down girl.
Instead, I handed him a bar napkin.
“Oh, thanks,” he said, dabbing at the spot on his lip that I’d pointed out.
“So do you ask out all the ladies who come in with pet rats?”
“Only the ones who have a very beautiful blonde, eye-glass-wearing sister.” He swiveled on his barstool to face me.
Shit. My heart went thump.
Although I did think he was out of his mind for keeping so many pets. On the other hand, it spoke volumes that he cared enough about animals that he’d just take them in.
I glanced at my watch.
“Oh, geez. It’s getting late,” I said.
I sort of hated to leave. I loved the way this guy looked at me. Like he could see inside me or something. Wow.
“Yeah. I have to take the dogs for one more walk tonight.” He waved the bartender over for the bill.
“This was fun, Von. I’m glad you took a chance and invited me out tonight.” He really was something. So tall and handsome, good manners, funny.
He put his hand on my lower back as we worked our way through the crowded bar to the door.
“Thanks for joining me. I’d like to do it again,” he said.
“I’d like that. Let’s do it. I’ll let you know how Cher makes out. Poor little thing. Who knew rats could have respiratory problems?”
“It’s pretty common. In fact, it’s how they often die in the wild when they don’t have anyone to take them to a vet like me.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Mother Nature’s way of keeping the population in check, I guess.”
“Exactly,” he said.
He pulled open the door of my Uber ride, and I turned to wave as we pulled away from the curb.
I’d kind of hoped he might have kissed me. But if all went according to plan, there’d be time for that later.