by Sarah Gay
Annie crinkled her nose and narrowed her eyes. Change is a choice, and these girls had not chosen to change. Why did she ever agree to meet with them? She wouldn’t allow them to make her feel this way, like she was inferior. “Faint—” her response was cut short by a tug on the arm. She spun around, landing herself chest-to-face with Paxton. His chest, her face.
“Sweetheart,” he said, cradling her chin in his hands.
As she opened her mouth to speak, his lips were already melting into hers. The connection between her brain lobes suddenly ceased working. She was somewhere on a Greek island with black sand in her toes, a bead of glimmering coconut oil tumbling down her bronzed leg. She hadn’t realized it at first, but she was kissing him back, with her fingers woven together behind his neck, straining to keep his mouth against hers.
She felt his hands gently pull her fingers apart. He slowly lifted his face away. Being too embarrassed to look him in the eyes, she chose to stare at the Nike emblem on his shirt instead. Fear began slowly circling around her. Her anxiety mounted as she thought of how vulnerable she was becoming around him.
“Well girls, sorry to steal Annie away from you, but she’s whisking me off to a remote island in the Bahamas. Benefits of having such a talented writer for a girlfriend. You guys should think about writing romance. I sure lucked out,” he said, forcing eye contact with Annie.
She gave a soft blink of her lashes, anxious and confused, still muddled by his kiss.
Paxton held Annie’s hand as he led her out onto the sidewalk.
A cool breeze tickled her legs, waking her from her trance. “Oh, no. I forgot Mr. Famous.”
“All part of my master plan,” Paxton said, removing his running shirt.
“What are you doing?” Annie blurted as her brow furrowed in confusion. His shirt removal was not assisting her brain fog from lifting.
“Walk to the edge of the building and listen,” he said with a wink.
Annie made her way to the corner of the white picket fenced patio and watched as Paxton walked back to the table, and said, “How could I have forgotten Annie’s best quality? Her love for animals. Isn’t Mr. Famous the cutest little guy?” He held the excited puppy up against his chest. Mr. Famous began licking Paxton’s neck and shoulder.
Annie observed her three associates, their mouths slowly gaping open, their eyes widening, transforming into a deep envious green.
When Paxton turned to leave, the three sat back in their chairs, silent.
“What exactly are you playing here, Mr. Straightforward? Or should I call you Mr. Forward now?” Annie asked, as she tucked Mr. Famous back into his stroller.
“Mr. What? Come on, let’s take a walk through the plaza.”
Annie fell in step with him. “Whatever your play, you saved me just now from the three meanest girls on this side of the Mississippi. Thanks. You came at the nick of time.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“I heard them. My buddies used to call me Sonar. I can hear sounds that others can’t. I also hear more acutely, and at a greater distance than most. I never suffered from ear infections as a kid, never listened to loud music, and wore ear protection in any loud setting. My mom was kinda a nut about my hearing. She said I had perfect pitch.”
“Perfect pitch?”
“I play the violin. When I was young, I just knew when something sounded right, or wrong. What those girls were saying is wrong.”
His words were touching. Could he be that perfect? “Bomb sniffing one day, maiden saving the next. A regular Tarzan,” she said, eyeing his chest. “Which, by the way, Tarzan, could you please put your shirt back on?”
“Does having my shirt off make you feel uncomfortable?” he said with a smile.
“Of course not. You’re just a complete mess.”
“A mess?” he said, scanning his body.
“Yes. You have trouble and heartbreak scribbled all over you. With a capital T, and a capital H,” she said, waving her hand in the air, like a child on the Fourth of July, drawing letters in the dark night with her sparkler. “It may not be obvious, but I’m what some would call straight-laced. Personally, I like to think of myself as a true romantic. Is it possible for a girl to love only one man her entire life? It’s worked for my mom, anyway, so I still believe it can for me. Vintage, not old. Victorian, not prudish. Excuse me Tarzan, but my Mr. Perfect is in the making.”
Annie left him with a back wave of her hand.
“What are you running from?” He yelled after her, dropping his arms to his sides. “And the name is Paxton. Pax Ton.”
Running. She couldn’t deny his accusation. He had the potential of doing the thing that she feared the most. She would never risk falling for a man with that kind of potential. He belonged in a book, not in her arms.
Chapter 7
Lesson Number One: Eye contact. If he’s not looking into your eyes, then you don’t have his attention.
Shouldn’t be too difficult, thought Annie. She had assembled a meal to facilitate the training. Three fondue pots sat on her kitchen counter containing cheese, oil and chocolate. Cheese was melting for the chunks of fresh baked baguette. Oil was popping for the raw fillet of beef and chocolate was steaming with a spot of cream for the strawberries, pineapple, and pretzels.
Annie looked at the yellow card with her notes from the first training session.
Timing is everything. Keywords are Pavlov, praise, and positive reinforcement. You must click the moment he does the desired behavior: direct eye contact.
Annie scribbled out the word “click,” and wrote in “smile/praise/feed” above it. To establish positive reinforcement, she would need to repeat those words to herself throughout the evening, feed, smile, praise.
A burst of heat warmed Annie’s face when she heard the doorbell chime. Why was she so nervous? “I can do this,” she whispered to herself as she opened the door.
Kai stood on her front step with a single, long-stemmed red rose. Annie rested against the doorframe. She breathed in his earthy cedar and peppermint scent as she scanned over her Mr. Right. She wanted to remember their first date. The night he came to her, innocent and untrained. He wore his wavy hair combed back with light pomade, like a Latin ballroom dancer ready to take the stage. His sea foam eyes glowed, when paired with his dark hair and charcoal button-up shirt. Annie gave an approving sigh.
“Good evening, Annie. May I come in?”
“Excuse me,” she said, while stepping aside and accepting his rose. “You look so dapper. I had to take a moment to fully appreciate your preparation for this evening.”
He lowered his eyes to the ground. “You’re the one who looks fantastic.”
Would he always be this shy? she wondered. Annie looked down at her form fitting, mustard and black empire waist dress made from a heavy Lycra material. She coupled it with a candy-apple red sweater. She had received compliments on past occasions while sporting the outfit, but had never thought of it as being fantastic.
Annie broke the silence. “Are you hungry?”
“Always. I respond to nearly any food, or treat, you throw my way.”
Annie smiled. “I’m banking on it. Tonight, we’re having fondue,” she said, leading him to the kitchen. “I hope you like it.”
“The first time I tried fondue was in a Swiss style mountain village in Brazil called Campos do Jordao. It sits at the highest elevation of any city in Brazil.”
“There’s a Swiss village in Brazil?”
“Strange, I know. It was surreal. We went for a Brazilian experience, but could have sworn we were transported to Switzerland, or Germany.”
“Have you traveled much?” Annie questioned.
“We traveled quite a bit for a few years after my dad…well…yeah, I’ve traveled my fair share, but I prefer to just hang local. We have it great here.”
“Here in Healdsburg?” she questioned.
“Yes, here in Healdsburg, here in California, here in America.
” He paused for a moment and said, “and here with you. Nothin’ beats it here.”
He was smooth. Annie may have misjudged him. She thought she caught a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, but couldn’t be sure. It was time. She stabbed a piece of bread with her skewer, and dipped it into the cheese. “Kai,” she said, raising the cheesy bread up between them until his eyes met hers. “Wonderful,” she said the moment their eyes connected. She gave him a full smile as she placed the dipped bread into his mouth.
The training activity could not have been more successful. By the end of the evening, Kai responded to his name instantly by raising his head and making eye contact. She had his full attention. He had turned out to be an excellent conversationalist, having had more experiences in his twenty-seven years than most.
They relaxed into her deep couch.
“So, how is it that you are so cultured? I’m thoroughly impressed,” she said.
“My parents are adventurers. It’s their belief that education lies in seeing and doing, not just reading.”
“Interesting choice of words,” she said with a sideways glance.
He began with a light laugh, then seemed to catch himself, and resumed his shy demeanor by sweeping the floor with his eyes, “Um, I mean,” he stuttered.
“Kai,” Annie gently commanded.
He looked up immediately to her full smile. She patted him on the arm and said, “Don’t worry. I don’t offend easily. And I agree with you. There is one level of knowledge that you gain from reading, and another from experiencing. I could read all day from the memoirs of marathoners, but I would never understand what it is like to run a marathon without experiencing it for myself. Personally, I don’t mind an incomplete comprehension, as it pertains to running when nothing is chasing me.”
Kai gave a hearty laugh and said, “You weren’t at all what I expected.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Let’s just say, you’re not only entertaining, but also a crafty pedagogue. And if I’m going to be taking commands, it might as well be from you, not from…well…” he said, looking at Annie with a boyish crinkle of his nose and the solicitous buggy eyes of an animated kitty cat.
“Pedagogue? I’m impressed.”
Annie didn’t have Kai figured out yet, but he appeared, on all accounts, to be smart, attractive, engaging and, best of all, someone who would be monogamous. Luckily, he didn’t send Annie’s head into a tizzy, like Paxton. She could slowly fall for him after she knew he was completely devoted to her.
“Kai?”
“Yes?” he responded, raising his eyes to hers.
“I’m glad you gave me your card.”
He gave his dimpled smile and said, “What color are your eyes? I’ve never spent this much time looking into anyone’s eyes before. I can’t make them out.”
“If you were to review my driver’s license, you would read, ‘Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown. Height: 5’6,” Weight: 120, Donor: Yes.’ The DMV might as well be a dating service. They have my full description, with a photo.”
“But your hair is blonde,” he said, twisting a few strands of her hair in his fingers.
“If you asked my hairdresser, she would say it’s woven almond, cream and honey.”
“Sounds good enough to eat. The DMV says brown, but how would you describe your eyes.”
“Brown.”
“How would you describe my eyes?”
“That is trickier,” Annie said, studying his eyes. “Imagine the Caribbean Sea at dusk. A blue dolphin rises from the deep, puncturing the surface. Freeze frame the moment the dolphin’s fin breaks the surface. In that split second, the color of your eyes is captured. The center of your eye is the color of the dolphin’s fin, a smoky gray. Moving out from the center, the next color is seafoam green, the creamy color of ocean foam churning above the shallow waters, appearing a light aqua. The outer circle of your eye shimmers a neon blue, like sea sparkle, bioluminescent algae that the dolphin disturbed upon rising to the surface.”
Kai pulled a stick of lip balm from his pocket and applied it liberally to his lips. Annie recognized it as the peppermint scent she had smelled on him earlier.
“Annie, I’ve never had anyone see me the way you do. And I would not describe your eyes as simply being brown.”
“No?”
“No. I’m not as eloquent as you, but would say they are a rare hazel, with streaks of green and gold. They personify you, unique and beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Annie said slowly, breaking his stare.
“You really don’t know how captivating you are, do you?” Kai said, gently twisting Annie’s front curl in his fingers.
Annie closed her eyes as Kai lowered his face in a motion to kiss her. It wasn’t Kai’s lips that brushed across her cheek. It was fur. She opened her eyes to Mr. Famous’ tail wagging in her face, as he energetically licked Kai’s lips.
“Oh,” Kai exclaimed, jumping up off the couch, and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
Annie’s face flushed. “I’m so sorry. I thought he was still napping. He loves lip balm. I’m constantly hiding my flavored lip glosses from him. He chews and licks them until they’re unrecognizable.”
Tanya’s signature knock at the door released the tension in the air. Annie opened the door to her overzealous friend.
“Hey girl. I saw your light on, and thought I would check in on you. Looks like you have a guest,” she said, pushing past Annie to get a better look at Kai.
“I’m Kai,” he said, taking her hand in his.
“Aren’t you polite, might even say well-bred,” she said.
Annie came from behind her, giving her a warning pinch on her bottom.
Tanya gave Annie a devious sideways smile. “I smell chocolate. I would jump through hoops for chocolate. What have you two been up to?”
“Annie made this ridiculously good fondue. You need to try it,” Kai said, taking in a deep breath. “It still smells delicious.”
“What a great sniffer you have,” Tanya said warmly. “Don’t bow-out on my account.”
“I’d love to stay, but, unfortunately, I need to head home and prep for a 10pm conference call with India. Late night snack for me, lunch meeting for them,” he said, giving Annie a peck on the cheek. “Good night.”
Annie closed the door and turned to her impish friend.
“You are despicable. Why are we friends again?”
“Because I still love you, even though you pinch my butt, and are delusional, thinking that a man is not going to know you are training him like a dog. And, by the way, he’s already on to you.”
“You’re dreaming. He has no idea. He was loving it.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Tanya said, rolling her eyes as she chewed on a chocolate dipped pineapple. “Yum, tangy, dipped in sweet warmth. Will you start training me?”
“Who says I haven’t already trained you?” Annie said, flicking a spoonful of chocolate into Tanya’s face.
Tanya grinned widely, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “Let the games begin.”
Chapter 8
Lesson Number Two: Control the Impulse Behaviors. The dog must remain calm and attentive amidst distractions.
Annie walked on the uneven sidewalk through the dense morning fog, Mr. Famous snuggled warmly into her breast. The fresh scent of rain lingered in the air. Last night’s precipitation was sure to have brought down some of the colorful leaves on the streets between 40th and 46th. Annie loved walking along those wide streets under the sycamores and Dutch elms. The emblazoned canopy above her head resembled the autumn leaves at Holy Hill in Wisconsin. Nothing compared to Holy Hill, but in those brief moments on 46th Street, she was swept home for a few minutes. Come to think of it, she had not been transported to any place lately.
What has happened to my creativity? thought Annie. Is this what it’s like to have writer’s block? She had written a scanty single page in two weeks, a mere 250 words. Perhaps if she were more focused on the task at hand? Time
to knuckle down and direct all of her attention toward training Mr. Right.
She ruffled Mr. Famous’ ears as they approached the training facility. “You’ve been amazing these past two weeks at sitting, watching me, and lying down. Now comes the difficult part. I’ve been told that you must be introduced to distractions. Kai is coming over tomorrow and we need to be ready. Oh, I need to see if the Johnsons can come over tomorrow, instead of tonight. If Kai can keep his focus on me during their visit, then we are home free.”
Annie pulled out her phone and searched through her contacts.
“There you are, Melanie Johnson,” Annie said, attempting to push the “call” button when her foot slammed into the concrete step. Her balance compromised, she relied on her years of falling while ice-skating to fall as best she could with her buttocks absorbing the majority of the hit. The pain was not as intense as it otherwise could have been. Utilizing yoga as her recent form of exercise allowed her to have sufficient cushioning.
“That’ll leave a bruise,” Paxton said, extending his hand. “Here, can I help you up?”
“Where did you come from?” she wondered aloud.
“Kate asked me to come in this morning. She thinks that Charlie can help distract Mr. Famous.”
“I would have to agree with her,” Annie said, wrestling with Mr. Famous, who was now hyper-aware of Charlie’s presence.
“I noticed that you’ve been doing your trainings with Kate in the mornings. Have you been avoiding me?”
“Have you heard of the song, You’re So Vain?”
Paxton’s laugh echoed against the vacant walls of the warehouse. “And have you heard of watching your step? You’d never believe how many people are admitted to the ER every day, because their eyes were glued to those little devices. Trust me. I see it all the time.”
Kate entered the room with authority, “Paxton, Annie, welcome. I hope that your resolution is strong. This may take us several days to master. And, I suggest taking the dogs to the park together. Once Mr. Famous is proficient in being attentive while tempted with distractions, here in a controlled environment, the next step is to introduce additional distractions, outside of a controlled environment.”