Chapter 2

“Right on time,” Darius tucked his phone into his pocket as she slid into the booth.

“I try to be,” Kat said, scooting across the black vinyl seat. “So! You want to know more about working at the animal shelter?”

Darius stared at her for a beat, then straightened up. “Yeah, the forms weren’t exactly comprehensive. If you could tell me more, that would be great.” He slid a menu over to her hands. “Pick anything you want, I’m buying.”

“You don’t have to—“

Darius held up a hand.“It’s the least I can do for taking up your evening.”

Kat weighed her options and then yielded to the gnawing in her stomach, selecting a piece of cheesecake. Darius ordered a blackberry shake, and then Kat explained the ins and outs of the different programs offered at the animal shelter. By the time the desserts arrived, she’d been talking almost non-stop for fifteen minutes.

Sorry, I must be boring you to death,” she said sheepishly, taking a small bite of cheesecake.

 “You’re not,” he said. “So I’m guessing you get college credit for volunteering?” He took a spoonful of his shake and inverted the spoon on his tongue.

 “I do! Plus, I love the work and having a hundred part-time pets. I’m an animal science major,” Kat explained.

“A girl named Kat, studying animal science? You must get heckled constantly,” he chuckled and cleared his throat. “Sorry, didn’t mean to make fun.”

The knot in Kat’s stomach loosened. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who was a little nervous. “A zoologist named Kat, a seamstress named Sophie, a telemarketer named Colin; some things are ironic like that, so why not make jokes?”

They both laughed softly. Now that the ice was broken, they started chatting about school, work, and city living. Darius mentioned that he’d lived in or near Davenport virtually his whole life, whereas Kat had only moved there six months ago for college, where she’d been enjoying her classes so far. She explained that she was taking the semester off to save for her courses and avoid debt, which Darius said was wise. When Kat asked about Darius’s academic pursuits, he quietly explained that he’d gotten an Associate’s degree in sound engineering and decided that college wasn’t a good fit.

“I don’t enjoy the structure and the crowds,” he admitted, tapping his nail against the table. “Never liked noisy places. That’s part of why it bites to live in a big city.” Darius went quiet as the waitress came by to refill their water and then returned his attention to Kat. “How have you liked Davenport?”

 “The pace is so different from where I grew up. Everyone’s so busy all the time, there’s always something going on.”

Darius draped an arm over the booth behind him. “I know, it’s like a meat grinder that never shuts off.” Kat tilted her head, and he hastily added. “There’s good things about it, too. You can find anything and everything here, job opportunities, restaurants, and shops.”

“There’s good parkour spots, too.” Kat chimed in.

“That acrobatic stuff?” Darius’s eyes trailed over her as if assessing something.

“Hey—don’t doubt me! Just because I’m short doesn’t mean I can’t jump like a frog.” Kat wagged her fork at him.

“I’d love to see it. Don’t think I’ve ever heard a girl willingly compare herself to a frog.” Darius’s eyes became lidded with amusement as Kat blushed.

“I’d say it’s better than a toad, but they tend to be hardier.” She finished the last bite of her cheesecake and slid the plate aside. Darius had long since finished his shake.

“I thought frogs and toads were the same, but one was bigger.” He leaned in and rested his chin on the back of his hand.

“Almost!” Kat brightened. “They’re both order Anura, which means all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. Toads usually can live better outside of water and—”she broke off, aware that she was rambling.

“And?” Darius prompted.

“Never mind, it’s boring.” She shrugged.

“Not to you. Not to me. Let’s say I found a jumping amphibian in my backyard. How would I tell if it was a frog or a toad?”

Kat lifted her eyes, searching his expression for sincerity. His green eyes were bright and clear, wholly focused on her.

She could tell that he meant it. He wanted to hear more. Kat went on, explaining the difference in amphibians’ skin texture and leg shape. The rest of the evening disappeared in a flash, and before Kat knew it, the sky outside had turned black.

When he offered to walk her home, Kat paused only briefly before accepting. Her building wasn’t far and had some security, after all. And she didn’t mind the company.

“Do you usually ask cashiers out while they’re working?” Kat asked as she led the way down the street. The bustle of the city had slowed but not stopped, the occasional passing car punctuated the chill night air.

Darius chuckled. “No, this is a first. I’d seen you a few times at Cake Pop, and you stood out. There’s something... radiant about you. When I ran into you at the shelter, it felt like fate. I figured I’d shoot my shot.”

Radiant? The word settled like a blanket fresh from the dryer. “I’m glad you asked me. This has been fun.”

She sneaked another look at Darius. He carried himself with easy confidence, tall, sharply dressed, a bit wiry, maybe, but fit. He’d listened so well and actually seemed to care about volunteering, and hadn’t batted an eye paying the bill. He seemed incredible, and she...

She’d been left behind multiple times on field trips and even during college orientation. Once, during a vacation, her own parents had forgotten her at a gas station. It was almost a fact of life that she was overlooked.

Radiant, he’d said. An underweight college student working register at a bakery.

“Something up?” he asked, pausing on the sidewalk.

“Ah, no,” Kat said, embarrassed she’d been caught staring. She reoriented and started walking again, leading the way to her building.

“This is me,” Kat said, patting the cracked bricks by the doorway. She self-consciously glanced at the cobwebs in the corners of the doorframe and the deep cracks in the walk sprouting weeds.

“Thanks for letting me walk you home. Tonight was nice, I enjoyed talking with you.” Darius said from a respectful distance, tucking his hands into his jacket pockets.

“I guess that means you like sugar and random frog facts,” Kat smiled wryly. “We have that in common.”

 “Guess we do.” He agreed and then lapsed into silence. Kat rocked on her heels while Darius scratched at an eyebrow with his thumb.

“I should let you get some rest. Do you mind if I text you tomorrow?”

Kat shook her head, and they exchanged numbers. “If I don’t answer quickly, it’s probably because I’m at work.”

 “I understand.” He said. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, only to be interrupted by an ambulance siren a few streets away. His face clouded for a moment and then cleared. “Kat, I know it’s fast, but maybe I could walk you to work tomorrow?”

“Oh...” Kat said uncertainly.

“It’s... fine if you don’t want me to.” His eyes slid away. “But how else will I learn how many toes frogs have?”

“Eighteen,” Kat said without missing a beat.

“See? That’s critical information. Is that a yes?” He bumped her lightly with his shoulder.

Kat slid away from the touch, unsure how to react in the face of his boldness. There was an almost childlike enthusiasm about him, and she couldn’t help but crack a smile. “If you’re that eager to lose sleep, sure. I leave around six thirty.”

Darius’s eyes lit up. “I’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

Kat was formulating a response when the door beside her burst open. A woman stormed out, dressed in leggings and a low-cut purple and black top. Uttering a low stream of curses, she stalked outside, kicked the brick wall, and then lit a cigarette, apparently unconcerned that she’d startled two people.

 Kat bit her lip, and a flash of irritation crossed Darius’s face.

“Great timing. Mr. Walker’s in a mood.” The woman huffed, tossing her dark wavy hair.

Kat wilted a little. She opened her mouth, closed it, and quickly looked from the woman to Darius.

“Darius, this is Cami, my cousin. We’re roommates. Cami, this is Darius. We met yesterday,” she explained lamely.

“Whatever. Nice to meet you, Jacket,” Cami said with extreme disinterest. She turned to address Kat, narrowing her eyes. “D’you KNOW what-“

“Likewise,” Darius said flatly.

Cami frowned at being interrupted, and Kat sprang into action to defuse the situation before it escalated.

“Well! What a long day it’s been, I’m so tired. Darius, I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then?” She forced a smile.

Darius’s irritated look vanished as his attention returned to her, catching the hint. “Bright and early. Get some good sleep, Kat; it was nice to finally spend some time with you.”

“Thank you, I enjoyed it, too. Have a good night.” Kat replied.

With some reluctance, Darius withdrew, shooting Cami an annoyed stare as he walked across the parking lot. He paused at a streetlight to wave, and Kat waved back.

Cami blew a plume of smoke between her lips, watching the exchange. Once Darius was further down the street, she heaved an aggravated groan.