Chapter 3: Fox in the Moonlight

I didn’t know where it came from, but hey, who was I to question fate when the universe handed me a bonus bunny?

Besides…

“With you here, maybe Toby will come looking for me, and I’ll finally get his phone number!”

Rascal, as usual, gave me the cold shoulder.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but the lop-eared rabbit actually looked a bit exasperated—like a cartoon character who just can’t believe what they’re witnessing. He flopped his ears dramatically, giving off real "Jim Halpert to the camera" energy.

For Toby’s phone number, I even left a note at the front desk in big, bubbly Lisa Frank handwriting: ‘Call me!’

I picked up the lop-eared rabbit, turning him over in my hands.

“So good-looking. No wonder Toby said I hadn’t seen enough. You really are prettier than Rascal.”

Rascal protested with a loud thump, then dropped two more pellets in a fit of bunny indignation.

“Rascal, oh Rascal!” I called, like I was in a sitcom.

I stroked the lop-eared rabbit’s fur.

It felt incredible—like cashmere, soft as clouds. I buried my nose in his fur, catching the faint scent of fresh hay.

The lop-eared rabbit wriggled free and hopped away, clearly done with my affections.

I stared after him, speechless. “Aren’t you Toby’s pet? Why do you act just like him?”

Thinking of Toby made me a little gloomy again, like the end of a rom-com before the last act.

“Do you think he left because he didn’t want to see me? He could have at least said goodbye…”

I muttered, but caught a glimpse of the lop-eared rabbit’s expression—ears perking up, then drooping, like he was trying to hide his feelings.

I narrowed my eyes. “What, you don’t like me talking about your owner?”

The lop-eared rabbit turned away, showing off his snow-white, round tail—total attitude. My hands itched to grab him again.

He seemed to sense my intentions and darted into another room. Trying to escape, huh? Heh. I smirked, tiptoeing after him, plotting my next move like a Disney villain.

Soon, my DoorDash order arrived, filling the air with the glorious scent of buffalo wings and fries.

The lop-eared rabbit must have caught a whiff too—he peeked out of the room, nose twitching, curiosity winning out over caution.

I waved him over. “Come eat. If you don’t, Rascal will finish all the rabbit food.”

He hesitated, then hopped over, sniffing the air.

I grinned, teasing, “Do you know what this is?” I waved a wing under his nose, letting the spicy aroma drift his way. "Don’t worry, it’s forbidden spicy food for bunnies."

His pitch-black eyes stared into mine, and for a second, I saw my own reflection in them—like something out of a Pixar movie.

I suddenly lost my words. There was something so intense in that look, it made my heart skip a beat.

I patted his soft, warm ears. “Rabbits can’t eat spicy food. Go eat your rabbit food, you little troublemaker.”

Maybe it was just my imagination, but I could’ve sworn I saw a flash of shock and embarrassment in his eyes before he turned away, looking almost flustered.

I pulled out my phone and Googled: Will a rabbit get shy if you pat its butt? The top answer: Only if it’s some kind of magical creature. Thanks, internet.

How could animals become magical so easily? Unless you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie, right?

I dropped the thought, grabbed a wing, and chomped down. The spicy tang made my eyes water, but I was too hungry to care.

After eating, I fell into a classic food coma.

I showered, dried my hair, and tried to negotiate with Rascal. “I ate too much and want to sleep. No time to bathe you. Dirty pets can’t get on the bed, so tonight I’ll sleep with the lop-eared rabbit, okay?”

Rascal didn’t even look at me, just yawned, stuck his butt out, and hopped back to his nest. Typical.

Careful or I’ll turn you into rabbit stew… Just kidding, Rascal. That’s an empty threat and you know it.

I dragged the lop-eared rabbit out from his hiding spot.

He struggled like crazy, but I held on tight.

I rubbed his ears, dissatisfied. “Move again and I’ll kiss you. I’ve wanted to for a long time.”

He actually froze, like he’d just heard Voldemort’s name.