Chapter 3 - a pet store encounter

I sleep late the next morning. It's nearly 11 by the time I emerge from my place, not bad for a Saturday. It's sunny and I want to wander around and do some window shopping, as well as maybe a little actual shopping.
I'm heading through one of the main business districts when I see the familiar neon sign reading Animal Crackers. I decide to stop in, just to take a cute baby animal break.
Animal Crackers is independently owned. They only take animals raised by responsible breeders. It's warm inside the store and smells pleasantly full of living things. There are chirps from the cockatiels in a cage at the back. Henry, the owner's Scarlet Macaw, is hanging out on top of a large cage by the check-out. I stop to look at him, careful to keep out of reach.
"Hello, pretty one," I say softly. Henry yawns.
"Would you like to hold him?" asks a deep voice.
It's Magnus. I turn toward him. He is wearing a blue shirt, tucked in. I can see the outline of his belly button where the fabric skims over his gut.
"Would I!" I exclaim.
Magnus convinces the bird to step up onto my arm. I am lost in parrot communication for quite a while before Magus transfers Henry back to his favourite perch.
"Want to see the puppies?" he says with a smile.
"And the kittens! Uh, that is, if you have time-"
"I've got time," he says. "It's not busy, and besides, it would be my pleasure."
Magnus shows me around the store, introducing me to all his favourites. The aisles are pretty narrow in Animal Crackers, so when I move, I can't help brushing my ample behind against his wide gut. Okay, maybe I could help it. But I don't want to.
"Thanks for showing me around," I say, when we've examined every critter in the store.
"No problem," says Magnus. "That was really fun. Would you like to, uh, grab a bite sometime?"
"I'd love to," I say. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Tonight? Really?" Magnus smiles again, revealing devastating dimples. "I'd say I'm taking you out for supper."
We agree to meet at a Chinese restaurant nearby. I rush home to shower and shave my legs, to primp and prepare. I pick out a flowing green dress that emphasizes my cleavage and minimizes my pudgy belly. I think I look pretty knock-out, actually, and the look on Magnus' face when I arrive suggests that he agrees.