Zoe rolled her eyes. “Does he get crabby when he doesn’t get his way?”
Addison remembered how Phillip treated his head of security after the dogs disappeared at his fundraiser. She didn’t blame him for being upset, but she also thought he’d been a bit harsh. Maybe even a little condescending. At the time she tried to blow it off, but she realized that it bothered her even now.
Piper’s eyes drifted over to where Aiden sat on the grass. “Do you dream about holding hands with him when you’re wrinkly and old?”
Addison pushed her half-eaten pancake around her plate, feeling suddenly deflated. Drool and toilet seats weren’t quite as romantic as sparkly vampires and dreams of Paris in the spring.
She supposed she was getting a little ahead of herself. It was something she always did when she started to date someone new. Even when she gave out her number. Okay, she’d even done it when a guy gave her a wink while serving her a latte the other week—and she was pretty sure he was gay.
But the stories in her head always went so much better than real life. They were places where anything could happen. She could have any life she wanted. It could be perfect.
As Addison helped clean up after breakfast, she recalled the last time she’d truly dreamed about the real things with a man. Not just dreamed. She’d been living it. Buying matching comforter and sheet sets, comparing paint swatches for the nursery, and making a home in the Sunset area with her then-boyfriend where she could imagine their children playing in the yard.
At the time, it felt like a fairy tale, like she’d found her happily ever after. But it must have been a fairy tale told by Brothers Grimm, because the baby was never born.
It was a cervical pregnancy. One that led to severe hemorrhaging that threatened Addison’s life. The emergency room surgeon had no choice but to perform a hysterectomy.
Addison recovered, physically anyway. Eventually she came to terms with her loss, both of her pregnancy and any potential to have a child. However, her boyfriend never did.
He wanted a family, and apparently she alone wasn’t family enough for him. When she’d suggested they adopt, he said he wanted a family of “his own.”
Soon the sheet sets were divided in half and the home rented out to a new family. No more happily ever after for Addison. Or at least she’d thought so.
Addison was walking back from inside the house for more dirty dishes when she paused on the wraparound porch to watch Naia play with the dogs again. She wasn’t sure how long her focus had been on the little girl, but when Marilyn laid a hand on her shoulder, she jumped in surprise like she’d forgotten where she was.
Marilyn gave her a look, one that made Addison feel like she could read her mind. Of course Marilyn knew all about her past. She’d known her since Addison had first graduated from pet grooming school five years earlier. The volunteers at the rescue center had become like family to her, and Marilyn like a mother. Although she was sure Marilyn wouldn’t appreciate being thought of like that.
Marilyn wrapped an arm around Addison and watched Naia with her. She chuckled as Colin, Piper’s black and tan doxie, grabbed the ball right out of her little hand, like Mine. All mine!
Addison sighed. “I guess I haven’t really thought about the real things with Phillip. It’s still pretty new.”
Since the moment she met Phillip, heck, even in the moments leading up to it, she imagined life could be perfect with him. She supposed she didn’t really know what to expect yet. She’d formulated ideas about him before she’d really gotten to know him. The same way she did about Felix. And look at how wrong those were turning out to be.
“Well, think about it,” Marilyn said in her no-nonsense tone. “Really think about it. You might think you know what you want. But sometimes life doesn’t always give us what we want. If you’re lucky, it gives us what we truly need.”
Addison nodded, taking the advice to heart. So what was it that she really needed?
20
Dogfaced
Dearest Addison,
I’m sorry I have been so busy since my fundraiser flop earlier in the week. The best thing about my week was seeing you. I would really enjoy spending time with you again soon. Would you like to have dinner at my place this Wednesday night?
Phillip
Addison clutched her phone to her chest and sighed. Naia looked up from her bubble-gum ice cream dripping its way down her wrists and chin.
“What’s wrong?” the little girl asked between licks.
Addison smiled back and had another taste of her liquorice ice cream. “Absolutely nothing. Everything is perfect.”
She’d been right. Phillip was still interested in her. A sense of victory pulsed through her muscles until she wanted to do a cartwheel. He’d probably been too busy dealing with police and outraged dog owners to text her. But her fantasy romance was back on track.
With a little squeal of delight, she hit the reply button. Her finger hovered over the keyboard, hesitating with all the things she wanted to say, like @#$% Yes! But she struggled to find the right response, the not-too-eager, just-the-right-amount-of-interest, with-a-dash-of-flirtatiousness response.
After a few seconds, she scowled and gave up. She’d think of something eloquent to text Phillip later. Besides, it wasn’t a good idea to text back right away; she needed to make him sweat a little.
She tucked her phone away and they carried on down the park path in Alamo Square, enjoying their after-lunch treats. Princess trotted ahead, greeting each dog that happened by—and there were plenty. The off-leash dog park attracted many a local and tourist, especially with all the colorful painted-lady homes facing the green space.
Her day with Naia was actually a lot easier than Addison had expected. She wasn’t sure what she’d been so worried about. Naia was easy. Great, in fact. Addison was having fun.
The picnic that Felix had packed for them had been delicious. The man could cook. Who would have thought? All along she had imagined he was some bachelor probably living off takeout—one of the many things she’d assumed about him. But Naia’s appearance had flipped all her presumptions about him upside down. Now she didn’t know what to think.
It was like getting to know him, the real him, all over again. Addison was able to look back over the last couple of weeks with new eyes. Each interaction seemed completely different now. Like how he said he didn’t hang out and party after work. It was because he was rushing to get back to Naia.
It was as though Addison had created an alternate version of Felix in her mind. In reality, there was so much more to see, like a movie she’d rather buy than rent so she could watch the rest of the story: the director’s cut, some extra features, and definitely the bloopers. And part of that story was right there in front of her, licking bubble-gum ice cream.
“So it’s just you and your daddy, huh?” Addison asked, hoping to discover a little more.
Lick. “Yup.”
“What about your mom?”
“She lives in Urup.” Lick. Lick. A pink trickle ran down her forearm.
“Do you mean Europe?”
Naia tilted the cone to lick the drip on her hand, spilling more down the other side. “Yeah. That’s it.”
Addison’s eyes widened in shock, but she kept her voice neutral. “Europe is really far away. Do you see her much?”
“No. Daddy says it’s too far for her to come to America.”
“Oh,” was all Addison could say. She watched the little girl closely, but there seemed to be no sadness there. It was like she was just stating a fact. Maybe she didn’t know her mother at all.
“My daddy raised me all by himself too,” Addison said.
“Really? Oh, but Celia takes care of me when Daddy’s at work,” Naia offered.
“Does anyone else take care of you? Other girls Daddy’s age?”
“No, not really.”
The news made Addison strangely relieved. It was like she’d received an exclusive club card at her favorite stor
e. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder why, out of all the people he could invite into Naia’s life, he chose her. The girl he’d made out with a few times.
“Celia has lots of toys,” Naia told her. “Sometimes we watch movies.”
“That sounds fun,” Addison said. “I love movies. What kind do you like to watch?”
“Make-belief stuff. I like Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast.”
“Really? Me too. I love those.” Now this she could do. Common ground, some way she could relate to a five-year-old. Although, if a twenty-eight-year old could relate to a child, maybe that wasn’t such a good thing.
“Dad likes superhero movies,” Naia said. “We’ve seen Iron Man like a million times.”
“Really? I never would have guessed.” Addison tried to imagine this other Felix, watching Disney movies on the couch with his daughter. She wanted to know more, and found herself plying Naia for information. Then she wondered at what point she started to care so much.
“So what else does your dad like, other than movies?”
“I guess dad stuff. Like making me school lunches, and taking me to preschool, and having tea parties with me.” Naia listed each one off as she went along, spreading the ice cream on her hands even more.
Addison snorted when an image of Felix in a bonnet and pearls popped into her head. “Tea parties?”
“Yeah, Dad likes peppermint tea.”
“Peppermint tea? Is that so?” She swallowed her laughter. She knew these were the things he had to do, but she was certain he enjoyed it because it was for his daughter.
All this time, she’d figured he was trying to get into the pants of last-call girls and hooking up with red-bra’d waitresses. But instead of working the late shift to party, he did it so he could be there to make Naia breakfast. When Addison had imagined him tucking a girl with a teddy into bed, it hadn’t been the stuffed kind.
“How’s your ice cream?” Addison asked.
“Good. Bubble-gum’s my favorite,” Naia told her between licks.
“Is it?” Addison remembered Oliver’s visit to her spa and thought it made sense now.
Naia tried to lick the pink streams before they dripped off her elbows, but the hot afternoon sun was making faster work of her ice cream than she was. She held her arms out like she’d been contaminated. “I think I’m done now.”
“Okay, me too.” Addison took the soggy cone and threw hers out with it.
Naia was a pink mess. Addison dug through her purse to look for an emergency ice cream cleaner. All she managed to find were her makeup remover wipes and hand sanitizer. Between the two, it did the job and Naia was clean again, albeit smelling of bubble gum.
“Princess, let’s play hide-and-seek,” she squealed, taking off up the grassy knoll.
Addison held Princess back by her shiny pink collar, giving Naia a head start. Once she was hidden behind a thick cedar tree, Addison could hear soft giggles and she knew Naia was ready.
“Princess, where’s Naia?” Addison asked. “Where is she?”
Princess sprang into action, but since she didn’t know exactly what she was supposed to be doing, she ran in excited circles, barking at Addison’s feet.
“Go get her. Where’s Naia?” Addison encouraged. Slowly, she led Princess to where Naia’s jean dress peeked out from behind the tree trunk.
When Princess came across her, Naia scream-giggled like she was on a roller coaster and ran for her next hiding spot.
“Good girl, Princess.” Addison gave the doxie a treat from her purse, distracting her while Naia settled in behind a cypress.
This time, Princess found her with little coaxing. By the fourth round of the game, Princess beelined it straight for Naia, reveling in the congratulations and treats she received each time she found her.
Addison suspected Princess was just following the soft giggling around the park, but when Naia chose a hiding spot near the playground, it tested the dachshund’s sniffer and big, sensitive ears.
Princess circled the enclosed playground a couple of times, past screaming kids, ignoring a golden lab that tried to talk to her. Focused on her mission, she bypassed them all, hot on an invisible trail.
Addison followed her weaving path like a drunk person until Princess came to a bench. Naia was lying flat on the seat. Princess barked and stood on her hind legs, pawing at her find.
Naia leapt to her feet on the bench, screaming and laughing at the same time. Addison handed her the dog treat. Once the girl fed it to Princess, she jumped into Addison’s arms.
“You must be part badger,” Addison told her.
“What’s a badger?”
“It’s an animal.” Addison set her down and brought up a photo of it on her phone to show her. “Dachshunds are really good at hunting them.”
Before they moved on, Addison pulled out a Pampered Puppies coupon from her purse and approached the golden lab’s owners. They were splayed out on a blanket, enjoying a picnic of their own.
“If you happen to be looking for a dog groomer, I have a spa nearby,” she told them. “If you bring in that coupon, I’ll give you twenty percent off any services that day.”
They thanked her, and she and Naia headed down the path.
“What did you give those people?” Naia peered into Addison’s purse curiously, as though hoping it had been bubble gum.
“It was a coupon for my business. I’m looking for more customers to come get their dogs cleaned at my spa.” Or any customers really. Instead of focusing her marketing efforts, she was tossing out promotional material to just about anyone now. She thought it wouldn’t be long until she began begging every dog owner in the city.
“Customers?” Naia’s big brown eyes studied the park. They landed on a bench beneath a shady cypress near the path.
Addison followed her gaze to a man with a panama hat throwing a ball for his dog.
“There’s someone.” Naia pointed at him like it was an accusation. “He has a dog. Is he a customer?”
“He might be. Good eye.” Addison smiled. “I need you on my marketing team. What do you say? Did you want to give him a coupon for me?”
Addison held out the pink piece of paper, and Naia’s eyes grew wide with excitement and nerves.
“Yeah.” She took the coupon reverently with both hands and carried it over to the man as if she were carrying the crown jewels. She plopped down next to him on the bench and thrust out the coupon. “Excuse me. Do you want your dog cleaned?”
All that time spent studying marketing tactics and honing sales pitches, and the simplest offer from a five-year-old was more effective than an entire marketing-and-promotions team. Addison made a mental note to add Naia to the payroll.
The man in the tan hat turned his attention away from his English foxhound and jumped in surprise to find the little girl beside him. “Oh. Thank you.”
Taking the coupon, he held it up to the light, tilting his head back like he needed glasses. His hat brim rose, and the sun hit his face. That’s when Addison recognized him.
“Alistair Yates.”
He angled himself on the bench to look at her. His expression transformed, from one of pleasant surprise to consternation. Yet when Addison approached, he grabbed his cane to stand and removed his hat, perhaps out of polite habit.
“Miss Turner.” He frowned. “Good day.”
The English foxhound lopped to Alistair’s side and placed the ball next to his shoe. When it began to roll away, the dog nudged it back into place and sat patiently, waiting for him to throw it again.
The dog acknowledged Princess, but was probably too well trained to start sniffing. Princess on the other hand could hardly bother herself to take notice. She puffed out her chest, demonstrating her clear superiority.
“Is that your dog?” Addison blurted.
“Of course it’s my dog,” Alistair said. “Do I look like a dog walker to you?”
Addison blinked, still staring open-mouthed at t
he foxhound. She supposed it was a stupid question, but she just hadn’t expected Alistair to move on so quickly.
“She’s beautiful,” she said honestly.
His deep lines relaxed a little and his loose wrinkles fell back into place like a heavy curtain.
“Yes, she is. Not the natural show dog Lilly was.” A flit of emotion crossed his aged face, his frown lines twitching. “Is,” he corrected himself. “The natural Lilly is. Fancy here is lacking some of the natural abilities for the show, but has potential if she works with Penny.”
“How long have you had her?”
“Since she was a pup.”
So Alistair had a second dog waiting in the wings all along. “Are you going to show her this weekend?”
“What other dog do I have to show?” Alistair retorted.
Addison felt a twinge of pity for the man, despite everything that had passed between them. The accusations, the interview with Holly that sent her customers running. It wasn’t even like she could blame Alistair. He’d lost his beloved dog.
She’d worked with enough owners to know that, for some, the lines blurred between their dog and a human. It wasn’t just time and money they poured into their pets. It was love, sometimes bordering on obsession as in Kitty Carlisle’s case. Their four-legged friends ate at their supper table, slept in their same bed, and dressed in the same outfits—something Addison knew about herself—as though they were truly family. Like the dog was their child. And Alistair Yates had lost his.
Fancy finally lost her patience and nudged Alistair’s hand, greedy for more play. Leaning on his cane, Alistair bent down to pick up the ball and tossed it out into the field.
“Mr. Yates,” Addison began, “I’m so sorry you lost Lilly. If there was something I could do.” She paused, swallowing hard.
Well there was something she could do; find those responsible. How many people had lost their dogs? Their best friends? Not to mention, the future of her business was sinking like the Titanic. Then there was Felix. He wasn’t just losing out on a dream of owning a bar, it was a way to support his daughter as well.
“There is something you can do,” Alistair said.
Beauty and the Wiener Page 21
