Animal Attraction

by Kathryn Halberg

  Kim met her eyes and Rachael shook her head sadly. This was awful.

  “We need a round of drinks, here,” Kim hollered to the server. “Three—no four—four tall Miller Lite drafts with limes.”

  Rick raised his eyebrows and Rachael laughed.

  “Tradition,” she told him.

  The beers arrived and they squeezed the tart limes into the drinks, dunking them and watching the bits of pulp float and mix with the carbonated bubbles. They raised their drinks and Kim quipped, “Here’s to me, here’s to you, here’s to parents never finding out what—”

  “And who,” Rachael inserted.

  “—we do!” Kim finished, and even Carlie giggled.

  They clinked their glasses and cackled like mad. Rick turned to her, mildly entertained. “Tradition?”

  “Yes,” the girls said in unison.

  Rachael pulled apart another flapper and tore into the meat. “I love these wings. I get to be ferocious and create carnage.”

  “Please. It’s a little hard to pull off ferocious when you look like Alice in Wonderland,” Kim teased.

  “Eat me,” Rachael scrunched her face up at Kim. “Besides, I can’t help my genetics.”

  Carlie grimaced. “Genetic lottery loser right here.”

  Rachael patted her hand. “You got all the height, girlfriend. What I wouldn’t give to have those long killer stems.”

  “Mhm,” Kim agreed.

  “I rather like your legs, especially when they’re wrapped around me,” Rick whispered under his breath, causing her to flush instantly.

  “Enough, you two. What gives?” asked Carlie.

  “What?” Rachael asked her sister innocently.

  Narrowed slate blue eyes tangled with Rachael’s bright blues. “What is going on here?” Carlie pressed.

  “Here?” Rick asked.

  Carlie pointed her carrot stick at Rachael then at Rick. “You and you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. What’s going on?”

  Rachael glanced at Rick. He shrugged and tilted his beer at her. Guess it was on her to decide how to define this. “We’re dating.”

  He nodded and gestured for her to go on.

  “And we’re happy?”

  He swirled his fingers, encouraging more.

  “And . . . ?” Rachael prompted, looking at him curiously.

  “And . . . ?” Kim continued.

  “And I’m in love with your sister,” Rick said.

  Carlie looked at them, stunned. “What?”

  Rachael blushed at the public declaration and stared at Rick, who was waiting expectantly. “And I love him, too.”

  “The fuck you say,” Kim whispered.

  “This isn’t funny, Rach,” Carlie glared.

  Rachael leaned against Rick and remained silent. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they waited. Let it sink in.

  “Holy shitballs, I think they’re serious,” Kim said, shocked.

  Rachael nodded at Kim and waited for Carlie absorb this, wishing the timing was different.

  “No offense, Rick, you’re lovely,” she turned to Rachael, “but you don’t do love.”

  Rachael glanced at Rick and replied with the only thing she could think to say. “I suppose I only needed to meet the right guy.” Her words were incredibly cliché, but they were the truth.

  “What about Gabe?”

  Rachael winced and felt Rick tighten his grip. “Gabe and I are friends, Car. Nothing more. He understands that and accepts it.”

  Carlie’s gaze shot to her plate. “Sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

  “No need to apologize. You’ve had a traumatic couple of days, and now was probably not the best time to drop this on you,” Rick said. “But I do love her, and I’m not planning to go anywhere anytime soon.”

  “Well then,” Kim said uncertainly, lifting her glass, “Cheers to the new lovebirds?”

  Rachael watched Carlie, worried. “Life can be unbelievably unfair. I wish I could take away the pain Brent caused you. I love you and will make sure that bastard never gets the opportunity to hurt you again.”

  A tear ran down Carlie’s cheek and Rachael’s heart clenched. Her poor baby sister. Kim leaned into Carlie’s side, hugging her tightly.

  Carlie picked up a napkin, took a shaky breath, and dabbed her cheeks, a devious smile breaking her sadness. “So, when’s the wedding?”

  Rachael choked on her beer, coughing and gasping, and started laughing. “God, Carlie. Seriously?” Grabbing a napkin, Rachael dabbed at the beer she’d sprayed all over her plate. Married?

  Kim was snickering behind her glass. “Damn, Rach. I haven’t seen a display like that since freshman year of college.”

  Rick helped her clean up, laughing at the mess. “Remind me not to let you drink red wine around them.”

  “On a serious note,” Carlie said, a frown creasing her brow, “what’s the plan for going to the house? How do we know Brent won’t be there?”

  “The moving company will text me when they have seen him vacate the premises,” Rick assured her.

  Carlie nodded slowly. “And if he comes back while we’re still there?”

  “He won’t.”

  “But if he does?”

  “He can try. But he won’t get in.”

  “I just can’t bear the thought of seeing him right now. I keep picturing him and Gina. God, how could he do that? With her? She’s my friend!”

  “Was, girl. She was your friend. And she clearly wasn’t a good one,” Kim spat out.

  “Carlie, if it wasn’t her, it would have been someone else,” said Rachael. “He’s a complete idiot for messing this up with you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to him. Now someone else will get to see the love that you have to give. And he will be the luckiest man in the world.” Rachael reached across the table, grasping her hand. “I promise, you will find someone who deserves you.”

  Kim added her hand to theirs. “And if he doesn’t, we’ll just introduce him to Gina.”

  Rachael groaned and Carlie winced.

  “Too soon?” Kim snorted.

  Rick snagged a carrot off Carlie’s plate. “He’s not worth your tears. People who cheat are among the lowest form of scum.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I’m serious. I’ve been where you are, and it isn’t easy. But it will get better. Just be grateful you found out before you took a bigger leap together. I nearly married the woman.”

  She watched him and shook her head. “I know I’ll get there someday. But I can’t talk about it anymore. So, tell me more about you two. I want to know how you went from flaking out after a stupid photo,” Carlie looked at him suspiciously, “to suddenly having a date or two and are in love? What am I missing here?”

  “I made a terrible mistake,” he said. “I jumped to conclusions and nearly missed the chance of a lifetime. Thankfully, your sister has forgiven me.”

  “We both made mistakes, and we are working through them,” Rachael agreed.

  “We are,” Rick said, kissing her temple.

  “Wham, bam, you’re in love?” Kim asked, still skeptical.

  “Yes. From the moment she walked into the clinic with Olive, half-naked and screeching and cussing out Nancy, she’s been on my mind.”

  Rachael slapped his side and bit her lip. “I wasn’t screeching! And I was fully dressed—I had to use my jacket to wrap her up. But I did curse at Nancy. I was so awful.”

  “No, you weren’t awful,” he assured her. “You were distressed.” He kissed her temple. “Somehow things led us back to each other. And I’m the idiot who almost lost her because I was insecure. That’s what my ex left me with, Carlie. Don’t let this joker leave you like that. You are not at fault in this.”

  “I see what you did there, turning it back around to me. Well done,” Carlie golf-clapped.

  “You two are disgusting,” Kim said, looking between Rachael and Rick. “All this lovey-dovey crap is gag worthy. But I am happy for
you. About time someone cracked that cold heart of yours open.”

  “Thank you?” Rachael offered, her nose curled up.

  Rick’s phone vibrated. “Eagle has left the nest, ladies. Shall we?”

  They finished their beers and charged onward, ready to tackle some packing chaos.

  37

  The chaos was exceedingly unchaotic. The moving team was already there waiting for them, stacks of flat boxes waiting to be assembled and filled. Stoically, Carlie went room by room, pointing out what was going, what was staying. Her part took less than an hour. The movers swept through like kids at an Easter egg hunt, picking up and packing the place clean of her belongings in record time.

  “Dang, I need to hire them to just come clean up after me at the new place,” Carlie commented, as the first room was emptied of her belongings.

  “Did you choose one?” asked Rachael.

  “Yes! I’m going to rent the one close to Mom and Dad’s. Thankfully the owner is in town, but I can’t get the keys until tomorrow morning. Guess I’ll be crashing with you and the dogs for a spell.”

  “I’m glad. We can watch some terrible chick flicks and hate on men.”

  “Ahem,” Rick interjected. “I hope you’re not hating on all men.”

  “Just those whose names start with B and end with ‘rent,’” Kim clarified.

  After Carlie made one last pass through the apartment and was satisfied the crew knew what they were doing, Car looped her arm through Kim’s and they walked out of Brent’s life together.

  “Rachael,” Rick said, capturing her arm as she was about to follow them.

  She smiled up at his heart-stoppingly handsome face. “Yes?”

  He kissed her gently. “I’ll never do that to you.”

  “I know. You’re mine, remember?”

  “I remember.” He hesitated. “Have you thought more about what we talked about?”

  “Not yet. We’ve been a little busy.” She laughed, gesturing around them. “But I promise I will think it over soon.”

  “Come along then, Ms. Eller,” he said, offering his arm to her. Rachael hooked her arm through his and they walked out the door. A shiver tickled her spine, a glimpse of things to come.

  Carlie and Kim waited for them by Rick’s car. “You two coming?” Kim yelled back at them.

  “Coming,” Rick hollered. He looked down at Rachael, then grinned wickedly.

  “What? What are you—ahhh!” She squealed as he lifted and swung her in the air, catching her securely in his arms. “Rick!”

  Her sister and Kim chortled, teasing her about being swept off her feet.

  “Ha, ha. You made your point, caveman. Put me down.”

  He ignored her and kept walking toward the car. “Would one of you young ladies mind getting that door for me? Should be unlocked.”

  Carlie laughed and pulled open the passenger door with a flourish.

  “Rick! What are you doing?”

  He walked to the open door and set her in the seat, buckling the belt around her.

  “Rick?”

  “What?”

  ‘What?’

  “Would you mind telling me what you think you are doing?”

  “Me?”

  “No, the other Rick. Yes, you!”

  He laughed and dropped down to kiss her again. “I’m just taking care of my baby.”

  “Your baby?”

  “Yes. You.” He punctuated with a pair of kisses on the top of her head.

  “You’re crazy,” Rachael said with a laugh.

  “Crazy for you,” he crooned, shutting the door between them.

  Carlie climbed in behind her. “Jesus, Rachael. What did you do to the guy?”

  “I have no idea,” she murmured, watching him practically dance around to the driver’s door.

  “You are in so much trouble,” Kim laughed. “That is one lovesick puppy.”

  “Good thing he’s a vet,” Carlie giggled.

  “Veterinarian, heal thyself,” Kim commanded teasingly.

  Oh, lord.

  Rick opened his door. “Where to, ladies?”

  “Home?” Rachael said.

  Still grinning, he closed the door and started driving. When they reached her parents’ place, he drove past it.

  “Rick?” Rachael asked.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you kidnapping us?”

  “No.”

  “Then where are we going?”

  “You said ‘home.’”

  “I meant my parents’ house!”

  Kim and Carlie were watching them from the backseat with matching giggles. Rachael threw them an evil look, which made them laugh harder.

  “Oh? I must have misheard you,” Rick said.

  “You’re being so weird. Are you okay?”

  “I’ve never been better. You?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and watched him. He took another turn and she recognized where they were. “We’re going to your place?”

  “Mhm.”

  “Why?”

  “I just wanted to show your sisters where I live. Just in case.”

  “In case of what?” Carlie asked, glancing at Kim.

  “In case she says yes.”

  “Rick, stop.”

  “Yes to what?” Carlie asked, her eyes alight with fresh suspicion.

  “Rick,” Rachael warned.

  “Yes to moving in with me.”

  “What?!” Carlie and Kim cried in unison.

  “Rick!” Rachael shouted. “This is not funny.”

  “You’re right. It isn’t. Because it isn’t a joke.”

  Carlie and Kim stared at them, mouths agape.

  “Just a trial. You know, see how we do together,” he explained to them. “She needs a place to stay and my lease is almost up.”

  “You have lost your damn mind,” Rachael muttered.

  He opened the garage door to his condo and pulled in. He hopped out, but everyone else remained frozen in their seats.

  For the first time, he looked nervous. He pulled open the car door again. “Rachael? Please?”

  She turned and looked at her sisters. They both watched her. Carlie nodded. “Let’s go in. I’m curious.”

  “This is madness,” Rachael grumbled as she opened her door.

  They joined him at the garage door, and he motioned them ahead of him. They walked up the short flight of stairs to the kitchen and living area. Rachael glanced at the couch and remembered the last time she was here. How nervous he was.

  “This is a great place,” Kim said, walking around and checking out the few pieces of art around the room.

  Carlie skimmed the texts on his shelves, then checked out the view from the windows.

  Something new greeted them by the large back picture window. Two plush dog beds sat on the floor, the perfect size for a pair of crazy dogs she loved. Rachael blinked and turned to Rick. He was watching her, an expectant and cautious smile lighting his face.

  “Those are so cute,” Carlie gushed, bending down to press her palm in the plush padding. “Rachael, did you see these? Can we see upstairs?”

  “Go ahead,” Rick nodded.

  At the top of the stairs, they all turned toward the master bedroom with the large four-poster bed. Rick walked up behind Rachael and kissed the side of her neck.

  Kim let out a low whistle. “That is a gorgeous bathroom.”

  “Rach, you gotta come see this,” Carlie called from the hallway.

  “I’ve been here before,” she said.

  “No, really. Just come here.”

  Rachael left the master bedroom and met Carlie in the hall. Her sister pointed to the guest room. “In there.”

  The queen-sized bed was pushed back along the wall. Two modern computer desks and two more dog beds filled the rest of the room. One desk was clearly Rick’s, covered with medical books. The other desk . . . Rachael walked over and saw a large monitor, a tablet, and a framed picture of her family.

  “Ri
ck?”

  “It’s just a placeholder for now. Something pulled off the internet. But I wanted you to imagine what it could be like. Here. Us.”

  “When did you do this?” She was stunned, unsure how she felt about this presumptuous move.

  “Nancy did it earlier while we were packing up Carlie’s house. Do you like it? She was stressed because she didn’t have a lot of time, but I think it’s a good start.”

  “Rick, this is . . .” She turned in a circle, her hands clutched empty air as her brain clutched for the right way to phrase her thoughts. “Wow.”

  Kim walked in and looked at the photo on the desk. She raised an eyebrow. “You guys are crazy.”

  Kim and Carlie went back downstairs, leaving her to stare at Rick. “This is too much, Rick. It’s too fast.”

  He sat in the broad leather computer chair before his desk and swiveled to assess the room. “I know. It’s fast for me, too.”

  “Then why all this?” She circled around, eyeing the room.

  “Hell, I don’t know. I knew it was crazy—even while I asked Nancy to help me out. But I couldn’t stop myself from asking.”

  “This is very sweet though. The little dog beds! I love them!”

  “You don’t have to answer me now. But I needed you to see that I was serious. I want to try this. Take the next step with you.”

  Rachael sat down on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you,” she whispered before pressing a kiss to his lips. He gripped the sides of her head and intensified the kiss, sealing his mouth over hers and plunging into the softness of her mouth. A moan escaped her throat. He massaged the back of her head, the other hand sliding down her back. She nuzzled against him, his arousal pressing against her thigh. His hand eased its way up under her shirt, caressing her backside. Rick released her mouth and kissed his way down her throat.

  “Really?” She laughed. “My sister is downstairs.”

  “So?” he mumbled against her chest.

  “And Kim,” she gasped, her objections wilting as he lifted her shirt over her head and licked the top of her breast, tugging her bra down.

  “And?” he mumbled, his chin between her breasts, mouth suckling her puckered nipple.