Could all of the idiots who told me to try and meet people at a dog park actually be right?

“I’m a software developer," I say. "Satellite company.”

Ava faces me fully. “Seriously? That’s cool.”

People always say that, but the work is hardly thrilling, and I don’t click with any of my coworkers. “Mm, I don’t know. I write code, they pay me, I go home. It’s…”

“Controlled and predictable?”

I purse my lips. “Got me.”

We step back as a horde of dogs barrels through, Moose and the husky in the lead, Pretzel yapping at their haunches.

“So you think I should embrace more chaos in my life?” I say. Maybe my routine is my problem. Maybe friends and relationships come to you when you do bold and outgoing things—like when I met that super hot Australian girl while on a ski trip a couple of years ago. I was a different person on that trip, social, flirty, unrestrained. That bold side of me got a girl, at least for the night.

Ava laughs. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy, Meg.”

I smile, liking the sound of my name on their lips.

“Up until a couple of years ago, I wanted to be an astronaut,” Ava says.

It’s a miracle they’re still talking to me. Hasn’t my rambunctious dog and the lingering smell scared them off?

“What stopped you from going after that dream?” I say.

Ava searches my face, making me wonder what they’re thinking. Seeming to realize they’re staring, they shift their attention to the canine juggernaut racing around the park. I do too, wishing my face would stop burning up.

A few strides away, the guy who grumbled at me is using a branch to push the dead salmon into the ocean. I pretend to be interested in what he’s doing.

“I was… afraid,” Ava says. “It’s a lot of work, and even if I give it my all, there’s still a good chance I’d fail.”

“I get that,” I say. “Rejection sucks. I got rejected by eighteen companies before landing this job.”

“Eighteen?”

“Most of the positions I applied for were out of my league.”

“That’s… brave.”

I return their little smile. “Even if you don’t go into space, you could apply for a related job. It’s worth following your dreams. I say this as someone who’s dreamed of having a dog since I was four and my parents always said no.” I motion toward my smelly disaster, who is on his back while a Labrador bites his throat.

Yeah, he’s totally embarrassing me in front of the most attractive person I’ve ever met, but he’s also my source of joy every day, so I can forgive him.

“Thanks for saying that.” Ava searches my face, something unreadable passing behind their light brown eyes. “To be honest, when I told my parents I wanted to be an astronaut, they told me to pick something more realistic.”

I open my mouth, not sure how to respond.

Ava drops their gaze, flustered, and I hope they don’t regret confessing that to me.

“You could do it,” I say firmly. Even if their parents don’t believe in them, I do.

A few strides away, Moose hunches over, and I realize he’s taking a crap. He makes eye contact with me.

Okay, nope. Screw the people who told me a dog park is a good place to make friends. This is the most awkward way to meet someone on the entire planet.

I get a poop bag and transfer Moose’s gift to the trash can, silently cursing the entire world. Then I return to the ridiculously attractive person who just watched me pick up a mound of dog crap.

“This isn’t the way I envisioned meeting a cute person in L.A.,” I blurt, needing to get it out there. “I swear my life isn’t normally this chaotic.”

Ava opens their mouth in surprise before breaking into laughter. “Well, that’s dogs.”

Pretzel sniffs around calmly, ignoring any dog that tries to engage him. Why can’t Moose be chill like that?

“Meg.” Ava nudges me playfully and a spark shoots up my arm. “I assure you, you’ve got my interest.”

I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

Really? I do? My pulse accelerates, and I struggle to keep my cool.

We’re standing close enough that their sweet lavender scent draws me in again. Their gaze traces over me in a way that makes my insides tingle.

“You’re the first stranger I’ve talked to since moving two weeks ago,” I say. “It’s hard to make friends in this city.”

“I get that. I’ve lived here my whole life and still have that problem. You have to be bold, I think.” Ava looks down at Pretzel, who whines as if saying he’s ready to leave.

Bold. There’s that word again.

I can do that. I think.

Across the park, Moose trips over a rock and collides with a golden retriever. I pretend not to notice.

“Hey, I’m having a game night on Friday with a few people, if you’re up for some chaos,” Ava says in a rush, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a note of nervousness in their voice.

My heart skips. “Really? I’d love to come!”

They grin, shoulders dropping in relief. “What’s your number?”

Friends! I’ve done it!

And maybe… at some point… more than friends? I bite my lip and type my number in their phone, unable to believe that my ridiculous dog didn’t ruin my chance of meeting someone today.

Ava pockets their phone with a sheepish smile. “Cool. Well, I have to get going. Off to my non-exciting, non-astronaut job.”

“I guess I’ll go give Moose a bath,” I say, trying not to betray how disappointed I am that they’re leaving already.

“It was nice meeting you.” Ava stretches out a hand. “See you here tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow. Yes.” I meet their handshake, and as our hands grasp, a pleasant sensation ripples through me.

Their breath hitches, and they bite their lip. With the way their eyes are blazing, I may melt into a puddle right here. I imagine them pulling me in and kissing me passionately, which makes me awkwardly drop my gaze to my feet.

Ava lifts my hand and kisses the back of it, their lips sending a tingle up my arm.

As we let go, they flash a lopsided smile, and I forget how to breathe.

“How bold,” I say teasingly.

“Just want to make myself clear,” they say with a wink, making my heart flutter.

Pretzel has wandered down to the shoreline, where he and Moose are chasing seagulls. I’m pretty sure the birds are in on the game because they keep landing and casually taking off before the dogs can catch them.

It would be cute, except it’s stopping Ava from catching Pretzel.

I run forward to help, grabbing Moose in a weird rodeo move. I get mud all over my jeans, but it works, and I use my free hand to hold Pretzel by the collar.

As Ava clips on the leash, our hands brush for longer than necessary.

Damn, I really like them. The butterflies in my chest are going wild. Should I make my feelings clear too?

“Um, bye then,” I say.

Be bold.

And channeling Moose’s chaotic energy, throwing any sense of caution and predictability to the wind, seizing the boldness that made me move to L.A. in the first place… I lean in to kiss Ava’s cheek.

Without hesitating, Ava turns their head to meet my lips.

A spark of victory ignites in my chest as our lips touch.

The kiss is soft and gentle, and when we pull apart, Ava’s lips stretch into a wide smile.

I smile back. “Just wanted to make myself clear,” I say, breathless.

Ava laughs. They hold my gaze, a glimmer of excitement in their brown eyes, while Moose and Pretzel wag their tails at the birds in the water.

~

A light and fluffy one for you this week! I’m trying different heat levels so please let me know what you prefer to read. Next week’s story is an extra-spicy friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romp. ;) Get early access to it (and read it all at once instead of in pieces) at patreon.com/tianawarner