Page 2 of Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Single Dad

I’d never felt so turned on and so pissed off at the same time. Holy fuck. That man…

He had an injured bird, why not just tell me what was wrong with it.

With a sigh, I tossed my phone down on the counter and got back to cleaning cages.

Later that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the phone call from earlier. I didn’t even know the person and his voice turned me on and infuriated me all at the same time. How was it possible?

“I think you need to get out more.” Donna, my best friend and roommate, said to me later over a dinner of lasagna and garlic bread. “He sounds like a big fat jerk and you’re drooling over it? Come on, girl.”

I rolled my eyes. With affection, of course. “You didn’t hear the sound of it. Like he could whisper sweet nothings or dirty somethings, and you’ll still be coming for five hours straight.”

Donna tilted her head to the side and looked at me as if I were nuts before bursting into a fit of giggles.

“It’s true, stop laughing! Maybe you’re the one who needs to get out more.” I retorted.

She waved her hand towards me, “Don’t worry about me love. I’ve got what I need. It’s rechargeable.” She winked.

“I think I might go volunteer at the bird rescue sanctuary.”

“That phone call has you thinking about birds huh.”

“Yes. But I also want to check it out. I didn’t know it existed.”

“Me either. But how will you find the time?”

“Good question. I’ll have to work less at another, maybe. I’ll figure it out.”

“Animals are lucky to have you, my friend.”

“They sure are. Speaking of which, I might be fostering another dog. Just for a couple of days while the adoption couple travels here to pick her up.”

Donna groaned teasingly. “Okay, but she better not be cute.”

I laughed. “Yeah, okay. She’s a full bred husky.”

“Damn it, Imogen. Our apartment is going to turn into a furball. I’ll be able to knit with it.”

I laughed more. She cracked me up. “You know you love it. I see you loving on them when I’m not looking.”

Donna waved me off with her fork. “Mmm, maybe.”

After dinner, we cleaned up and chilled in the living room with a movie.

But I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was the bird. The guy from earlier. Every part of it.

I showered and got ready for bed, my mind running a race I didn’t remember being invited to. When I slid between the sheets, warm and comfortable, I brought up my old call history. I clicked on the three dots next to the number from earlier and pressed new message.

I sat and stared at the empty text box for a while.

With a deep breath, I typed out a quick text.

Me: Hey, hope everything went okay earlier and you were able to contact someone about the bird

Unknown number: Don’t worry about it- I took care of it

I stared at the message. Grumpier than I expected.

Whatever. At least I had a new opportunity to volunteer at. That’s what mattered most.