"Really?" I said and started to turn. "Who—"
The question died on my lips as I spotted the guy standing at her side.
"Tough crowd," Dare said, gesturing to Professor Snape's cage. "I thought it sounded good."
I couldn't believe it was actually him. For a second, I thought I was dreaming.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, all of my surprise coloring my tone.
"My dad's across the street looking at new furniture. I saw your car parked outside." He shrugged. "Just thought I'd stop by and see why you like coming here so much."
"Dare and I have been chatting while you played," Paris said with a smile. "I tried to get your attention before, but you were in your blissed out musician state."
My cheeks went hot. "I was not," I said then stiffened my spine. "I just wanted to give the fur-babies my all."
"And that you did." Paris shot me a wink. "I'll just leave and let you guys talk."
Good Lord, that was the last thing I needed.
"Oh please stay," I said, begged really. Dare had already shown up somewhere that was special to me, throwing me completely off my axis. Being alone with him didn't seem like the best idea. "We could all talk together."
"I still have to clean out the litter boxes," Paris retorted. "You've already completed all your side work and given the animals a live concert. You're free to go home—after you talk to Dare, of course." She turned to him then, "It was nice meeting you."
"You, too," he said, giving her that killer smile all the girls loved. "Thanks for letting me come back here."
She waved that off and threw me another look as she was walking away like he's-so-hot-and-I-want-to-know-all-the-details-of-what-goes-on-here. I sighed but gave her a nod. As Paris disappeared, Dare and I were left alone.
Well, except for the animals.
"Nice place," Dare said looking around. His eyes landed on Professor Snape once again. "Though the clientele seems kind of rude."
"Ah, Snape's a sweetheart, just a little moody," I said.
Dare arched a brow as Professor Snape lifted his head and the two locked eyes.
"He looks grumpy," he commented, and my hackles rose.
"You would be, too, if you'd been here for almost a year," I said, leaning down to pet Professor Snape, but he evaded my touch. "Hey, I'm trying to defend you here," I whispered to him.
"I didn't say it as an insult." Dare bent down, and of course—of course!—Professor Snape allowed him to pet his ears, leaned into his touch even. "Got nothing against difficult people. I love a challenge."
Hermione barked at him, and he used his other hand to give her belly rubs.
"Traitor," I mumbled. "Hermione, I never knew you were such an attention seeker."
Dare chuckled underneath his breath. "What can I say? Dogs love me."
I nodded as he continued to pet Professor Snape and my girl at the same time.
"Do you have any pets?" I asked.
Dare shook his head. "No, but I've always wanted one. My parents were the hard sell."
"I get that," I said, pressing my hand against Hermione's head who wriggled with happiness at my touch. "I'd take Hermione home in an instant if I could. And all of the others, too."
"Wait, Hermione and Snape?" he said. "Are they all named after book characters?"
I pointed across the way. "No, some are named after comic book heroes like Jean Gray, Storm and Batman, over there. Others are after musicians, we have Freddie Mercury, Gladys Knight, Tomcat Petty—who's a cat, obviously."
"Obviously," he said, looking like he was biting back a smile. "By the way, I loved all the Queen pieces you played for them. I've never heard Somebody to Love done on a cello. You're really good, Viola."
"Thank you, but it's really just awesome music," I said, trying to act like his comment didn't affect me.
But it did. It so did.
"Anyway," I said, quickly redirecting the conversation back to a safer subject, "then we have a whole bunch named after books and movies. And HP is one of my favorites, so yeah, there are a lot of members of Hogwarts here. If you had come last week, you could've seen the seven Weasleys, but they all got adopted. So did Katniss and Peeta."
Dare cocked his head. "You really love them. Don't you?"
"What's not to love?" I said. "These animals are everything humans aspire to be—loving, honest, kind, generous, selfless. People are the ones who always fall short."
"Can't argue with you there," he muttered.
Before I could ask what he meant, he turned to me.
"So, have you decided yet?"
"About what…" I trailed off.
"The game." He put his hands on his knees. "Soccer, me asking you to come. You've had all day to think. Will you be there?"
We were both still crouched down by the cages, and his eyes seemed to see right through me and any excuses I might come up with.
"Sure," I said unable to look away. "I'll go."
As Dare grinned, it caused my heart to jolt, and right at that moment one thought ran through my head.
Girl, you are in so much trouble.
CHAPTER 11
I couldn't believe I was here. At a high school soccer game, standing in the late afternoon heat—though granted it was getting cooler by the second as twilight approached. I looked out to the field of lush green grass where the other team was already outside warming up. I glanced over to the stands, seeing parents, friends and some faculty littered throughout. A mosquito tried to attack my face, and I swatted it away with a yelp.
How did this happen? I thought.
How on Earth did I, Viola Kent, nerd girl to the core, hopeless romantic, and animal
