How to Get One Million Reads on Wattpad (a novel)

8) Reveal Backstory

The evening of their second date arrived, and Derek's heart drummed in his chest as he scanned the crowd at the zoo's entrance, looking for Stacy.

The brew-at-the-zoo event was in full swing, the air was alive with chatter and the low hum of indie music streaming from speakers hidden among the foliage. The scent of roasting nuts and grilled sausages wafted through the cool breeze that was coming from the nearby ocean, mingling with the earthy undertones of hay and animals.

When he finally spotted Stacy near the entrance, leaning against the fence, he felt a flutter of excitement in his chest. She looked incredible, her dark hair falling loosely around her shoulders, and a playful smile spread across her lips as she waved him over.

"Hey, you made it!" she said, beaming as he approached.

"Sorry I'm a minute late, I took the bus because I knew we'd be drinking." Derek grinned as he took in the sight of her. "You look—wow." He gestured to her casually, his cheeks warming a bit.

Stacy laughed, a sound that cut through the noise of the crowd, and Derek swore it was the best thing he'd heard in a long time. "Thanks! I wasn't sure if this was a hoodie-or-heels kind of event, so I just went with both." She lifted one foot to show off her wedge-heeled ankle boots, and Derek chuckled.

"Good call. It's the perfect combo."

They wandered into the crowd, Stacy led the way to the first beer stand. As they walked, their hands brushed once, then twice. Derek felt a jolt of electricity, his pulse quickening. When their fingers brushed again, Stacy's hand lingered, and he took it in his. It felt easy, like they'd been doing this forever, and a warmth spread through his chest. He glanced at her, and she met his gaze with a shy smile that made him feel like they were the only two people in the whole place.

"Feels like we've done this before, huh?" he said, giving her palm a light squeeze.

"Yeah, weird, right?" she replied, her eyes twinkling as she looked up at him. "Like a déjà vu kind of thing."

They moved from one vendor to the next, sampling IPAs and stouts, sharing impressions and laughing at the increasingly creative names of each brew. The atmosphere punctuated with the occasional roar from the lion enclosure or a distant screech from the monkeys.

"Those howler monkeys sure are loud," Stacy observed as they stood in line for a caramel porter, gesturing to their far away enclosure on the zoo's map.

Derek raised a brow. "You know your way around this place, huh?"

Stacy shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "I should—I live just a few blocks from here. Walking distance, actually. Came here all the time as a kid."

"Really?" Derek asked, genuinely surprised. "You walked here? In heels?"

"Yep!" she replied. "Figured I might as well take advantage of the fresh air. Plus, you know, didn't want to drive to a beer tasting event. Easier to just walk."

Derek shook his head, impressed. "Makes sense. And here I was, stressing about the bus."

Stacy laughed again. The more time he spent with her, the more he got lost in these little moments—the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way she spoke with such easy confidence. He admired her adventurous spirit and the way she moved through the world with this laid-back, no-nonsense attitude.

"So, what's the verdict?" Stacy asked, pulling him out of his thoughts as she took a sip of the porter they'd just picked up. "Best one so far?"

Derek pretended to consider, even though he was barely focused on the beer. "I think it's a tie between this one and the hazelnut stout." He took a sip, his gaze darting back to hers. "But honestly, the company's what makes it all worth it."