Chapter 1

Chapter 1

O h, wow. This is getting good.

I lean in and hunch down over the steamy romantic scene in the book I’ve been attempting to finish all week. The hero, a pirate with a heart of gold and a tendency to swoop in and save the day, is locked in an embrace with the heroine, the daughter of the king he’s been aiming to rescue. The deserted island they’re on is lush and warm, and the tension between them is red hot. Mmmm.

His calloused thumb traces the curve of her cheekbone as she gazes up at him with those big, soulful eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” he mumbles in a deep, rumbly voice that makes her insides flutter.

Damn right, they do.

The heroine blushes and bites her lip, flustered by his intense stare and nearness.

Heat rises in my cheeks as I read the deliciously romantic words. Oooh, just kiss her already! My grip tightens on the book in anticipation.

“Uh, Winta? You in there?”

Gia’s amused voice startles me out of the fictional romantic tryst. I jerk upright, nearly dropping the book, as my best friend appears in front of the reception desk. A sly grin spreads across her face when she takes in my flushed cheeks and wide eyes.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your… quality reading time.” She nods at the book clutched in my hands.

I slap the book shut on the desk and breathe deep, trying to calm my beating heart. There better be a good, juicy sex scene after that.

“Quality is an understatement. He was just about to kiss her.” I pout and Gia laughs. My lips twist. “I know you don’t care since you don’t like men and all, but —”

“Hey!” She smacks me on the arm. “I still like romance.” She rolls her eyes. “Being a lesbian doesn’t make me any less…” She twirls her hand in the air.

“Horny?” I fill in.

She bursts into a laugh and I grin. Across the room, one of the library patrons shushes us. We both press our hands to our lips and calm down.

The front door jingles as a group of teenagers enters the club. Gia and I straighten up, putting on our professional faces as the girls approach the reception desk.

“Hi there! Welcome to the Great Menagerie Book Club.” I greet them with my warmest smile. “Are you all here for a pairing session?”

The girls exchange excited looks and a few vigorous nods. This is one of my favorite parts of the job, seeing the hope and anticipation on the faces of the unpaired when they first arrive. The possibility of finding their perfect animal match is electrifying.

“Awesome. Just need you all to check in.” I slide the sign-in tablet across the counter toward them. “Don’t forget to indicate your age range and any preferred traits you’re hoping for in a pair.”

As they bustle around the tablet, I catch Gia’s eye and we share a smile. Even after working here for years, I still remember the thrill of my first pairing session. The hope that today might be the day you meet your ideal furry or feathery soulmate.

If only the longing in my heart to finally be paired didn’t resurface every single time I see someone come through the door.

After settling the girls in the lounge with Gia, I take a deep breath and return to my tasks for the day. Straightening my runaway wavy hair, I grab a cart of returns and start making the rounds to re-shelve them.

The soft sound of instrumental guitar music is soothing as I wind through the cozy nooks and alcoves of the Great Menagerie Book Club. Growing up here, I always loved this place, and I made my brother Ean take me here all the time. There are still some days I can’t believe I work here, but where else could I put my degree in literature and my love of animals to good use?

Nowhere else. I was meant to work here.

Overstuffed armchairs and loveseat nooks fill every corner, creating intimate reading spaces surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. This place has a way of making you feel like you’re getting hugged by literature.

I pause to run my fingers along the spines of the well-loved books, smiling at cherished titles I’ve read a hundred times over. Inhaling the comforting scent of aged paper and leather, my heart aches with a pang of envy for the paired members who get to cozy up here with their animal soulmates. What I wouldn’t give to be curled up with a big shaggy dog, or maybe a sleek cat purring in my lap as I lose myself in these magical worlds.

Don’t be down, Winta.

My time will come. I know it.

Shaking off the melancholy, I finish re-shelving and head to the kitchen to check on Reo, our resident chef.

“Hey Reo, whatcha got brewing back here?” I peek over his shoulder as he stirs a big pot of something thick and fragrant.

The burly man turns with a bright smile, his dark eyes crinkling behind his glasses. “Ah, good! Perfect timing to taste test my new spicy miso soup. Got some fresh rice almost done in the cooker, too.”

My stomach gives an eager rumble as he ladles out a steaming cupful and passes it over. Reo’s cooking is divine, one of the best perks of working at the club. I take a sip, the broth exploding with layers of flavor over my tongue. “Mmmm, you’ve outdone yourself again, for sure.”

He chuckles and gives me a wink. “High praise coming from you. Now get along. I’ve got to finish prepping for the latest group who just walked in.”

Giving the kitchen one last glance, I head into the open garden out back where animals come to be paired. The sun is beating down, but the giant olive tree out here provides a lot of shade for the animals. They are all either wild or domesticated, living wherever they want to here on Orihimé, and most of them understand that this is where they can meet a human companion.

I wave to Yuriko, taking photos of a marmalade cat in the corner.

“A contender? She looks new.”

Yuriko nods as she enters the information into her tablet. “Yeah, super friendly, too.” She cocks her head to the side. “Want to go inside and meet some new people?” she asks the cat.

The cat meows, twitches her whiskers, and ambles her way in the door.

I chuckle. “I love that they listen to you.”

She shrugs. “You can always thank Mr. Ears. He vouches for me.” She nods at her pair, hopping across the garden. Mr. Ears, a sweet rabbit Yuriko paired with two years ago, is one hell of a social butterfly. He loves talking to all the other animals.

“I’d vouch for you any day,” I say, winking at her. “I gotta get back to the front desk.”

“Drinks later?” she calls out as I reach the door.

“Can’t! Dinner with Suri.” I wave as I return to the cool interior of the club.

At the front desk, I sit down and sigh. Seeing all the joyful interactions between humans and their possible pairs never gets easier when you’re the one still waiting to be chosen.

The front door slides open with a chime, and I look up to see who’s here now.

Huh. A lone fox stands in the doorway.

“What are…?” I start.

It darts in the door, straight past me.

“Hey!” I yell as I fall out of my chair, trying to get up.

I spin towards the library in time to see a flash of bright orange fur streak past the doorway, trailing a gaggle of confused-looking animals in its wake.

Crash! Bang!

“What the…” I murmur, moving quickly toward the commotion.

The library is in chaos. Books are scattered everywhere, chairs are overturned, and the poor pairing animals are scurrying in flustered circles. The bright orange fox darts back and forth with a mischievous glint in its eyes.

“Hey! Stop that!” I lunge for the troublemaker, but it evades my grasp, bounding over a fallen bookshelf with a taunting flick of its fluffy tail. A chorus of irritated squawks and barks follows in its wake as it zips toward the front entrance.

Scrambling to my feet, I lunge forward, dodging around confused patrons and leaping over upturned furniture. “Sorry! Excuse me! Crazy fox on the loose!” I shout over my shoulder at the bewildered scene.

The fox lets out a sound almost like a snicker as it streaks through the front doors and out onto the bustling streets of Yamato. I burst out right behind it, nearly trampling an older woman walking her Shiba Inu.

“Terribly sorry, ma’am!” I pant, already racing after that streak of orange fur weaving through the foot traffic. Pedestrians shout in surprise, leaping out of the way as I careen after the fox down the sidewalk at a breakneck pace.

Up ahead, the fox makes a sharp turn into a narrow alleyway. I put on an extra burst of speed, determined not to lose sight of it. Rounding the corner, I have to skid to an abrupt halt as the alley opens up into a cramped courtyard.

The fox is nowhere to be seen.

I bend over, hands on my knees, as I try to catch my breath. Scanning the surroundings, my gaze lands on an inconspicuous doorway tucked in the back corner. A faded wooden sign hangs above it, the elegant Japanese calligraphy spelling out “Tori no Kazé Soba House.” The noren curtains draped over the door have birds and clouds painted on them.

The scent of mouthwatering soba broth and grilled meat wafts out of the entryway. My stomach gives a loud rumble, reminding me I haven’t eaten anything besides Reo’s soup sample.

I glance left and right. What should I do? I’ve lost the fox, and I shouldn’t be loitering out the back door of this place.

That’s when a muffled chirping sounds from the direction of the soba house’s door. I freeze, straining my ears. Yep. There it is again — like someone trying to stifle their laughter.

I inch closer to investigate. Just inside, I’m met with the impish fox, sitting pretty as you please while being hand-fed morsels of grilled chicken by a warm-eyed, smiling young man.

The man seems unruffled by the misbehaving animal that led me on a chase through town. In fact, he looks charmed by the sneaky little bastard.

I must have made some sort of sound because he looks up. Our eyes lock for a moment before I realize I’ve been caught gawking… and trespassing.

My cheeks flush hot as I step back.

“Can… can I help you?” His voice is rich and inviting, yet laced with obvious amusement at catching me eavesdropping.

Shit. Caught.

“Uh, hi! Yes, sorry, I was just… well, you see…” I gesture at the unapologetic fox, looking too pleased with itself.

The man’s smile stretches into a full-blown grin, deep laugh lines crinkling at the corners of his eyes. “Ah, I see. Itsuko, have you been causing mischief again?”

The fox says nothing except to tilt her head.

“I’m going to guess yes.” He sighs and turns to me. “My apologies.”

He rises to his feet, stepping forward to offer me a small bow. Up close, I can see how handsome he is, with an angular jaw and striking light-brown eyes. His hair is an unruly mess behind a white headband, and he’s just a bit taller than me. Have I met him before?

“I’m Daichi. Uh, Daichi Kaga.” His smile is warm and disarming. “And you are…?”

I swallow hard, trying to regain my composure. “Winta Kimura.”

“Ah, yes. I thought you looked familiar.”

“Do I know you?”

He shakes his head with a smile. “No.” The unsaid, ”But I know you…” hangs in the air. Shit. How does he know me? Through the Yamato gossip mill? One of my many asshole exes?

Forget about it, Winta.

“Uh, so, I work over at the Great Menagerie Book Club that your little friend there caused quite a ruckus at.”

Daichi’s eyes widen in surprise. “Oh no, she didn’t.” He turns a reproachful look on the unrepentant fox. “Itsuko, what have I told you about behaving yourself?”

She blinks up at him, unperturbed.

Chuckling, Daichi shakes his head. “I’m so sorry. She’s my pair, and even after all this time, she still likes to cause trouble when I least expect it. But please allow me to come over and help get things back in order. It’s the least I can do.” He starts to untie his apron.

My eyes zero in on his fingers, deftly working the knot on his apron.

“Oh! No, no, you don’t have to do that,” I protest, waving him off. “I’m sure we can handle it. Itsuko was just… being a fox, I guess.”

I try for a lighthearted laugh, but it comes out a bit too breathy.

Get it together, Winta.

He’s just a guy. An attractive guy who seems to have a restaurant that I’ve never been to, but still… just a guy. Tori no Kazé? Why does that ring a bell?

Daichi studies me for a moment, then nods. “If you’re certain? I feel I should help out.”

“Really, it’s fine!” I assure him, finally managing a genuine smile. “Just, uh, keep an eye on the little troublemaker for me.”

“Sure,” he says with a nod.

That warm grin of his settles into my stomach, and I sigh. I read too many romance books.

“Well then,” he says, dusting off his hands, “I’ll let you get back to restoring order. Please pop in anytime for a bowl of soba, on the house. It’s the least I can do.”

“That’s… very kind of you. Thank you.”

With one last bemused look between myself and his foxy pal, Daichi bows, and I back away with a wave.

Down the alley, I turn the corner, out of eyesight, and linger a moment, catching my breath and replaying our encounter.

How does he know me?

Shaking my head, I turn and head in the direction I came from. I should get back to work.