Page 50 of Any Girl But You
Snow falls outside the window, and I take a moment to watch the flakes descend and melt into the sidewalk. One major thing I’ve realized since being with Quinn is that I didn’t need her, or anyone, to be happy. Yes, I’ve wanted to find a mate, and yes,I think Quinn is the one I want to be with long term, but I’m not any happier per se. My happiness has just shifted. I feel the same way as I did with Josie, but also different somehow. More confident, more controlled, more centered.
I’m so dang lucky. And I never want to forget this.
TWENTY-FIVE
ZOEY
The analog clock on the wall finally reaches two. One more hour, and I’ll close up the shop, prep for tomorrow like my life depends on it, and get ready for tonight. Even though I told Quinn I was going to make reservations, Luna gave me a great suggestion for an alternative. I cannot wait to put it into motion.
The doorbell jingles and I glance at Colby and Kona strolling in. “Hey, guys,” I say, coming around the counter to pet Kona. “Is Kona loving the snow?”
Colby nods and tucks the leash into her palm. “So much. All she wants to do is run. Has no care in the world that us humans get chilly.” She cocks her head at me. “Something looks different about you. The stress of the holidays must be fading.”
Well, I am destressing at a frantic rate every night. Not that I’ll say that to a customer. “Oh, well, I think I’ve been exercising more these last few weeks, and that has done the trick.” Oh gosh, I don’t know how she sees it on me, but Colby gives me a look that makes me blush. She absolutely thinks I’m full of baloney. “And you are very observant.”
A soft grin passes her face. “I don’t chat with a lot of people, so I tend to notice…nuances. Well, that exercise program seems to be working. I’m glad you found an activity you can enjoy.”
I shouldn’t be dying inside the way I am. But before I break into a giggle or blush any higher, the bell jingles and I peek up at Mrs. Pinkerton stepping in wearing a puffy down coat, fur hat, and her Pomeranian wrapped in a sweater.
Kona’s tail wags furiously and the impatient whimper of wanting to play starts. Mrs. Pinkerton’s dog starts yapping, loud, cutting through the noise of the chatting customers. I don’t think that the two dogs have ever been in here at the same time. It’s obvious that Kona wants a friend and Mrs. Pinkerton’s dog wants to attack.
“It’s okay, Kona. You’re a good girl,” Colby says in a calm voice. She steps in front of Kona and strokes her fur. “We’ll come back,” Colby says to me. “I’ll take Kona around the block.”
I shake my head. Colby should not feel like she needs to leave this place because a seven-pound demon is here at the same time. “No, you don’t have to do that. I can’t imagine Kona hurting that dog.”
“No, she won’t,” Colby says with a small frown. “But the little ones like to bite the bigger ones, and my girl here doesn’t deserve that. It’s okay, I’ll be back in like twenty minutes.”
Mrs. Pinkerton’s dog yaps and snarls, while Mrs. Pinkerton blissfully looks at the display cases. Seriously, does she not have eardrums? She’s acting like the dog is singing. I love dogs. I really do. Someday when things settle down, and I can devote proper time to an animal, I’m getting one. And really, the Pomeranian’s not the issue. Mrs. Pinkerton’s obliviousness is the issue.
And then… everything seems to happen in slow motion. Colby moves to the door, the little dog leaps from Mrs. Pinkerton’s arms, yapping as she tears across the bakery. Kona’s barks are loud and urgent, ready to play with a new friend. Mrs. Pinkerton’s singsong voice barely makes a dent as she calls out, “Oh, Peaches…come here.” A kid screams bloody murder in thecorner, a mom scolds their child, a man in the corner watches the scene unfold. I scurry out from behind the counter, when Colby positions herself between the little dog and Kona.
“Hey, stop!” I call to the dog as if it will listen to me.
Mrs. Pinkerton claps at the dog but barely moves, and a good-natured chuckle leaves her mouth.
My face grows hot. The little dog lunges, teeth bared, toward Kona. Colby scoops up the Pomeranian with more fire than I’ve seen from her before. She has a leash in her hand, the little dog in her arms, and her body blocks Kona as much as she can. She plops the dog in Mrs. Pinkerton’s arms and storms out of the shop. I give her a sympathetic nod, turn to face Mrs. Pinkerton, and something in me snaps.Enough.
I march over to Mrs. Pinkerton and the dog, who is still yapping in her arms.
“Mrs. Pinkerton.” I breathe out the shakes from my voice. “I love you coming in here and am so happy you enjoy my shop.”Don’t say sorry, don’t say sorry. Channel my fierce, independent inner goddess and be firm. “But dogs must be on a leash in order to enter.”
Mrs. Pinkerton turns and faces me, her eyes narrowing just a bit. A long moment passes where I think she’s waiting to see if I’m kidding or going to back down. I’m not.
“Well, Peaches really doesn’t like wearing leashes.” She bristles.
She absolutely, positively, flipping bristles. Oh, no… Nope. This is not fair. She must not think this is okay, right? Her dog is a terror, and sure, it’s not the dog’s fault, that rests on the owner, butcome on. My neck prickles with tiny sweat beads and I’m twisting my apron so hard it may snap.
“I can understand that Peaches doesn’t like that very much. But these are the rules. If Peaches can’t wear a leash”—I swallow back the boulder lodged in my throat—“then Peaches is nolonger allowed in the store. I’m so sorry.” I’m cutting myself a break for apologizing on this one, because this is hard and doesn’t feel very good.
“Well, I never…” Mrs. Pinkerton turns on her heels and stomps out of the store.
My cheeks burn so hot I’m not sure if I’m considered feverish. The customer to my left looks at me, and I’m worried she’s going to stomp out, too. Instead, she leans forward and says, “Thank you, Zoey. My toddler has been too scared to come in here since a few months ago when that dog barked at him in the stroller. I really appreciate you saying something to her.”
The heat dissipates from my body. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” I glance at Luna ringing up orders. “Be right back.”
She nods, and I rush into the kitchen to fully exhale. A moment later, I grab my phone and press call as I move back to the office.
Quinn answers with a heavily breathed “Hello.”
