“I bet,” he says, sitting down next to me and giving me a sly side-eye. “Like musicians, do you?”
“I mean, they’re okay,” I say, feigning nonchalance. “But as it turns out, I’m finding I have more of a thing for personal trainers.”
Our eyes lock for a moment, and I can see it there, in his eyes—he wants to say something but he’s holding it back. So, I take his hand in mine, stand up, and lead us on.
At the penguin exhibit, I lean close to the glass, fascinated. We watch them for the longest time before I finally admit, “Penguins are my spirit animals. They’re awkward on land but graceful in water. Kind of like me, except I’m still waiting to find my graceful side.”
Adam stands beside me, his arm brushing mine and causing every hair on my body to vibrate at attention. “I think you’re selling yourself short, Carlie. You’ve got plenty of grace, especially when it comes to handling tough situations.”
I glance up at him, touched by his words. There’s a softness in his eyes that makes my heart skip a few beats.
“What do you mean?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Adam looks down at me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and sincerity. “I mean, you handle things with humor and resilience. It’s ...impressive.” He pauses, seemingly searching for the right words. “Like how you dealt with the Jillian situation, and even with the training sessions. You don’t let things keep you down—even when it’s obviously hard. I wish I had more of that, honestly.”
His words send a warm rush through me. “Thanks, Adam,” I reply, biting the inside of my cheek. “I try to keep things light. No use in drowning in the heavy stuff. You know?”
He nods, his gaze still holding mine. “It’s a good approach. Keeps life ...fun.”
Our conversation is interrupted by the playful antics of the penguins, and we both laugh as one of them slides belly-first across the ice and then nearly smacks into the glass.
“And we’ve found the Carlie penguin,” I mutter, running a hand over my face.
“They really are something, aren’t they?” he remarks, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
“They are,” I agree, still watching the penguins. “They make everything seem so simple and joyful.”
As we continue our zoo adventure, Adam slowly becomes more relaxed and engaged. His laughter comes more easily, and his smiles are more frequent. It’s as if the zoo has worked its magic on him, melting away the tension and worry.
Part of me hopes that it’s a little of my own magic that’s helped, too.
Eventually, we find ourselves at the zoo’s café, taking a break to enjoy the summer weather and rest our feet. We find a table outside, to enjoy the warmth of the sun on our skin. In Minnesota, when you finally have it, you don’t take it for granted.
I order a light salad while Adam goes for a tuna sandwich. We chat about everything and nothing—from our favorite foods to our dream vacation spots.
The café bustles around us, but it feels like we’re in our little world, enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful day. Adam’s mood has lifted entirely, and it’s like I’m seeing the Adam I first met—easygoing, charming, and full of life.
As we finish our meal, Adam leans back in his chair, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him all day.
“You know, I really needed this,” he admits, his gaze meeting mine. “Thanks for bringing me here. I can see why you like it so much.”
I smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. The zoo has a way of making everything better.”
He chuckles, nodding in agreement. “It really does.”
We linger at the café for a while longer, soaking up the sun and each other’s company.
After a little while, Adam and I decide to continue our day by heading over to Jaded Brews, since his brother would be looking for us.
I have to admit, the transition from the serene setting of the zoo to the lively atmosphere of the brewery feels like stepping into a different world.
Jaded Brews has a rustic charm and the gentle hum of conversations and clinking glasses sets a relaxed yet vibrant mood.
I spot Dylan, Adam’s friend, and the familiar face from the coffee shop, already there, sitting at a reserved table in the corner. He waves when he catches my eye.
Stepping up to speak in Adam’s ear, I tell him, “I think we’re over this way.” Then, I lead him through the crowd and over to where Dylan’s grinning at us.
“Hey, you guys made it. Brian said you were meant to show up at some point,” Dylan says, greeting us with a warm smile as we approach. “He had to step out for a bit, something about needing more ice? Or was it salt? Whatever, he should be back soon.”