Spinach In My Teeth

My first day at Uncle Mike's roadside attraction was supposed to be chill — just feed the animals, look busy, and survive until my shift ended so I could text Jordan back. But somewhere between holding my phone under the table and trying to look competent, everything went sideways.

The farm dog, Buster, had zero respect for my dignity. He'd been hired as a "therapy animal" but mostly just demanded snacks and knocked over teenagers. Today he'd cornered this tiny calico cat near the hay bales, and when I tried to intervene, the cat climbed my leg like I was a tree. Claw marks. On my first day. Fantastic.

Then Jordan showed up.

I knew my face was doing something weird because Jordan waved and grinned, looking unfairly good in their oversized hoodie. I tried to play it cool, leaning against the fence, but forgot until too late that the sign said "PLEASE DO NOT LEAN — BULL IN PASTURE."

Behind me, a massive snort.

I turned to find a literal bull staring at me like I'd personally offended his entire bloodline. The bull, who Jordan immediately dubbed "Sir Moooo-a-lot," lowered his head. I scrambled backward, tripped over Buster (who was now aggressively napping), and landed directly in a patch of mud that used to be a garden.

Jordan burst out laughing. I mean, doubled over, actual-tears laughter.

"You good?" they asked between giggles, offering a hand.

"Never been better," I said, accepting the assist while trying to determine if my dignity could survive this. "Just bonding with nature."

"Nature appreciates your sacrifice," Jordan said, then gestured toward my face. "Also, you have spinach in your teeth. From lunch?"

I'd been walking around with green stuff stuck in my smile for hours. Hours. The universe had officially decided this was my backstory now.

But Jordan was still smiling, still holding my hand a second longer than necessary, and the cat was now purring on my shoulder like I was its best friend. Maybe being a mess wasn't the worst thing. Maybe Jordan liked the mess.

"Wanna help me feed the animals?" I asked. "Buster can teach you his bribery techniques."

Jordan squeezed my hand. "Only if you promise to let me watch you almost get killed by a bull again. That was peak entertainment."

I rolled my eyes but smiled — spinach and all. Some first days are disasters, but sometimes disasters are exactly where you want to be.