by York, Allie
My yellow beetle wedged in between Blair’s Fiesta and Ivy’s red pick-up truck and I went to help my girls put the finishing touches on the boutique. We re-stacked some clothes, dusted again, and wiped down the glass. Ziggy followed me and his new bed in the door, stopping to pee on a bush outside. My stupid cousin had gotten rid of the world’s best dog. He even got along with the kitties.
We re-grouped after Ivy got enough doggie kisses for an eternity while baby talking my new companion. Blair, Ivy, and I busted our asses for the next two hours, making everything perfect, while cars filled our parking lot. Cars were in our lot and girls were lining up outside our door, waiting for the open sign to come on, for our dream to come true.
Chapter Three
Harris
I honked the horn in Jolene, waiting for Rose to get her ass in my car. Fifteen minutes and counting for one person to get ready, and I was five minutes late picking her up. How do I get dragged into this shit? I pulled the visor down and checked the bags under my eyes again. I looked like death. No, I looked like death hadn’t had a day off in ten years and was partying every night. Old Dr. Jenkins was sick, really sick, so we were all covering his shifts. I needed a job after my last disaster, and I was going to work my ass off to keep it, even if it meant no sleep and looking like crap. All my co-workers looked about the same, we were zombies, but it was worth it after my first job. Lesson learned when it came to working with female vets, or one particular female vet. Apparently, when you reject the boss’ advances for the fifth time, you get fired for being unprofessional. The job at The Shores turned out to be a serious stroke of luck. The timing was perfect and so far, none of the female employees had texted me topless pictures.
I honked again. Speaking of women, Ozma Greenlee was going to be the fucking death of me. I had to track her down, to call and apologize. Her number was in my wallet, but I hadn’t called it, because I was a huge moron. I was going to apologize when she returned, but she hadn’t even come to pick up her own dog because I’d made her so mad. I had pissed the woman off that much, but found myself insanely attracted to the spunky little blonde, and I hadn’t been attracted to a woman, not seriously, in a long time. Actually, I’d never been so fiercely attracted to a woman.
It made me see red when neglected pets came in, and we saw them all the time, but it wasn’t her fault. I jumped to conclusions, but the instant the blonde goddess in the treatment room got on her toes and yelled at me, I was fucking done. My cock had a complete mind of its own and I was never more grateful for baggy scrub pants. It was after she left that the receptionist, Amber, Amory, no… Ember, came and asked what I did to her favorite client. I hoped to sooth her anger with my joke at the front counter, but Ozma didn’t even look at me. The woman was right; I was an asshole and a jackass. When she was in my face, all I could do was stand and take it, falling into the abyss of her chocolate eyes. Her cute, round face was pure hatred; cheeks flushed and body shaking with anger as she put me in my place.
“Damn, calm down.” I mumbled to myself and laid on the horn again, adjusting my jeans. My baby sister was about to jump in my car and I had a raging boner courtesy of a woman who hated me and I hadn’t even touched. How long does an eighteen-year-old really need to get ready? I honked again and Rose bolted out of the house, brown hair flying and dressed like… I had no idea. She was wearing shorts, but with this flowing top that covered them, barely, and had flowers on it. It was like our grandmother’s couch had been turned into a shirt. Style was lost on guys like me. I always looked nice, but never stylish. Jeans and a decent shirt was the extent of my wardrobe that wasn’t scrubs. Thank God I’m a guy.
“Thanks, Harry.” Rosie pecked my cheek and buckled up. “It’s right on the beach, next to that bakery with the cronuts, and they open in like five minutes. They’re giving away free stuff and I want to win something. So hurry up.” My sister checked her lipstick in the mirror and I waved at Mom on the porch before backing Jolene out of the driveway.
“Why are you dressed like that?” I had to ask. Rosie was more of a yoga pants and tank top kind of girl, always in running shoes and a complete health nut. Since our dad’s cancer won that battle, we both kind of went overboard with healthy living, but Rose took it a step further by eating only organic and drinking weird smoothie concoctions for every meal. I joined a gym and swore off smoking.
“I want to get a job there. Ocean Blossom Boutique is the most upscale boutique in the Shores. Our tiny town needs a place like this and if I dress to impress, they are more likely to hire me. Duh.” I rolled my eyes and merged onto the ramp. I wasn’t even aware that kids still said ‘duh’, but Rose did. Rose and I looked alike except for hair color, and even her brown waves had a hint of red like our grandmother. Our grandfather had been a redhead too, and I was lucky enough to inherit those genes. As a kid it had sucked, always getting picked on and stuff, but once I grew up, I embraced it and kinda loved it. My hair set me apart and got me all kinds of attention.
“Does the bakery at least have coffee? I have worked the last ten days and got up on my day off to bring you over here only for you to be late. I at least need a coffee.” I got off on the exit and headed toward the ocean; maybe I could just sit on the beach or nap in the truck while Rose shopped. I had no desire to actually enter the boutique. What the hell is a boutique?
Rose started bouncing in her seat, waving frantically, “Right there!” I turned in and noted the packed gravel lot with a line of women wrapping around the building. Surely no new little store pulled a crowd like that. Something else had to be going on in the strip. Silver and pink balloons were lining the overhang, and streamers were everywhere with Ocean Blossom written on everything. Apparently, a little boutique did have a crowd that big. I pulled in across from a yellow Volkswagen and Rose stepped out, checking her hair and makeup one more time in my tinted windows. I sighed and braced myself to be the only guy at a very girlie store opening for what was bound to be hours if I knew my sister. Fucking sap.
My door opened and Rose dragged me out of Jolene by the sleeve. We nearly ran past the line of women to the back. I never realized how tall Rose was until I saw her next to a group. My sister was taller than most girls, but I still towered over her, so the line was pretty awkward. Our dad and I were matching six-foot-four and our mom was a tall woman also. Tall genes were no joke and the Oswins owned them. Rose tugged me to the line and I tried my best not to drag my feet. After about fifteen seconds, I left her at the side of the building, chatting with some other excited girls, and went in search of coffee. The bakery was open and had not only coffee but muffins and croissants as well. The older woman at the counter took my order and I leaned against the gray wall, waiting.
Guilt nagged at me when I thought of the day before. It had been a clusterfuck to say the least. Bill Jenkins being sick and Angie Jenkins on a short vacation meant it was me and Rick at the hospital and it was a mess. No matter how good our techs and receptionists were, we were being overrun. The clientele was far too deep for just two doctors, but nothing could be done about a sick old man. It was like a vast sea of bad news, and by the time I got to the poor neglected cocker spaniel, I was in a shit mood. Three euthanasias and a cancer diagnosis, all in a row, would put any vet in a bad mood. Add that to impatient clients and a new tech we borrowed from another office, and it was a disaster. Seeing Ozma in the room had brightened my day, but my mood got even worse when I realized the gorgeous woman and her friend had neglected the dog. Or I thought they had. I was a huge dick to her and she was only trying to help. Of course I found that out after my bad day and asshole attitude insulted her. Jax stormed into the room acting like I kicked his dog when he overheard what I said, telling me to learn some damn bedside manner. The guy wasn’t as big as me, but when he came at your face, you tend to listen. Maybe the tattoos made him intimidating. Either way, he put me in my fucking place. God, I’m an ass.
I took my muffin and coffee back out to find Rose. The line had moved severa
l feet and was still inching forward when I found her, “Harry, I am so excited. I need to track down the owners first. I read the piece about them in the paper. They have been BFFs since kindergarten and then opened this place together after college. It’s so cute! Maybe I should make plans like that. I’ll need a friend first.” Rose went on, but I was busy working out the phone call I would make later. Normally I was a dick to people and didn’t give a shit what anyone thought. It was the reason I worked with animals and specialized in surgery. Knowing the beautiful, feisty blonde was mad at me was eating me alive, and I had no idea why. I had accused her of doing something unthinkable and kinda wanted to fuck her at the same time. Okay, I really wanted to fuck her, but in my defense, it had been a long time and the woman was walking perfection. All soft curves and sweet features. The way I talked to her was not a good first impression, so the fucking thing was never going to happen if I didn’t man-up and apologize. I had no problem apologizing.
Maybe it was all her amazing curves that caught my eye. She was wearing a simple gray dress, but it hit her hips and tits just right, clinging to every lush slope of her body. Blood from the dog’s feet splattered the front, but it really didn’t hinder the effect. I hadn’t touched or been with a woman in a long while, and I wanted Ozma bad. The short haircut made her face look even more round and innocent, well, until she was sticking her finger in my face calling me a jackass. And those emerald green eyes.
I hadn’t dated in ages, if you could call it dating, not since before vet school, but I hadn’t had the time. Not that I was looking for a woman, but when one that gorgeous storms into your life, you grab on tight, even if you manage to make her yell at you first. I moved a step forward, trying to keep my hormones in check, and hoping that grabbing her number from the file didn’t piss her off more. While I did want to lick every inch of her, I also wanted to prove I wasn’t an asshole or a jackass to everyone, only most people, but definitely not her.
I lifted my coffee and an elbow hit me in the side. My coffee tipped all down my shirt just as we neared the door. I cursed a little too loud, tugging the burning shirt from my body. Rose squealed an apology, helping me by pawing at my shirt, and generally freaking out. Then I froze, scalding coffee on my skin completely forgotten. Standing at the door was Ozma Greenlee, handing out raffle tickets and smiling at incoming customers, flashing some amazing dimples in her cheeks. Thank the powers that be she’s focused on anyone but me. I quit caring about my burning skin and ruined shirt when I saw her. The obsession was not a health one.
“Harry!” Rose snapped her fingers in my face. “Are you burned?” Rosie’s voice snapped me out of my head and I looked down at the giant brown stain on my green shirt.
“No, I’m good.” The coffee was hot, but not scalding, so I would live. We kept moving forward and I handed Rose my coffee cup to strip out of my button down. I had the sense to wear a black undershirt so, while it was wet, there was no visible stain. Great, just fucking great. The woman I had been obsessing over for twenty-four hours, the one who hated me, was about to see me looking like a fucking slob shopping with my little sister. Fucking-A. Rosie moved forward, rushing Ozma and grabbing her hand to shake it then hugging her. So much for her feeling bad about my shirt.
“I’m Rose Oswin, it is so nice to meet you.” My sister was talking, but I was watching the expression on Ozma’s face when Rose said our last name, while slowly backing away from the situation. It wasn’t a common last name at all. Her lips twisted and her eyebrows crinkled. The name connection wasn’t lost on her, but my sister didn’t even notice Ozma’s expression. Rose was still talking, “The place looks amazing. I bet you are so excited. Congratulations!” I took another step back, trying to make an escape, but it was too late. Ozma’s dark brown eyes met mine and I forced a smile. I wanted to call her, not stalk her at work and add the title of ‘creepy’ to the list names she called me. I couldn’t be missed standing a head taller than everyone there, and being a guy. At her feet was the dog, Ziggy, wearing a red bowtie and red socks. The dog sat stoic at his new owner’s feet, like he was with her at work every day. Ember and Jax made damn sure I knew that Ozma saved the dog, she didn’t abuse him. The receptionist and tech had a fierce loyalty to the woman I pissed off which made me feel even worse. I had already been deemed hard to work with by most of the Shores staff, so adding my latest transgression to the list was bad.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Rose. I love that top. Good luck with the raffle. The winner will receive $100 worth of merchandise and a shoot in our Venus Magazine spread next month as our model.” Rosie squealed, thanking Ozma in a loud, high-pitched voice. My sister ran inside, leaving me frozen in place with a line behind me. Little thief took my coffee.
“Well, if it isn’t Dr. Dickwad? Come to shop? I’m not sure your ego will fit in my sad little dog abusing boutique.” Ozma batted her lashes at me. Ouch. I deserved it though. I stepped over next to her, stooping to pet Ziggy and let Ozma hand out more tickets to the disgruntled women behind me. Holding up her line probably didn’t help my cause. Ozma was wearing another dress, but this one was black and stopped at her knees, accentuating her waist and showing off her neckline. Those heels made her calves look so fucking sexy.
“Not shopping, just dropping my sister off. Congratulations.” I paused awkwardly between words, trying to pull myself together. I never got tongue tied, I never had trouble talking to people, but this woman had me messed up, “I’m glad I ran into you though, I wanted to check on Ziggy and offer an apology. I was extremely rude and out of line.”
Ozma’s arms crossed and her eyes narrowed, “I don’t need you to check on my dog, or your ass kissing. I have work to do and none of it involves your ego, Dr. Oswin.” I held my rebuttal until several more women went by, offering congratulations and hugging Ozma. How am I the only one in town who doesn’t know this woman?
Once there was a break, I made my move, “When is all this over? You are getting that apology whether you want it or not.” And he’s back. I tossed my stained shirt over my shoulder and tucked my hands in my pockets. “An apology over dinner sounds best to me, but drinks or coffee works too. I’m not picky.” I smiled but it faded quickly, and I mean record speed.
Ozma laughed. All out laughter- complete with dimples, “Did you just ask me out?” She stopped to hand out more tickets and thank a few women for coming, “You have to be dumber than you look if you honestly think I would go anywhere with you. Now, please go occupy yourself elsewhere while I work.” Ozma turned her back on me and focused on the crowd moving into Ocean Blossom Boutique. I stood, completely stunned. A little charm usually did the trick when I tried, but Ozma was going to fight me, and I deserved it. I did want to apologize, but the idea of taking her out had completely taken over all other goals in life. Forget opening my own practice, forget traveling once I retire, all I wanted to do was take Ozma Greenlee to dinner. I wanted to prove I wasn’t the jerk she thought I was. I wanted to show her that I had a bad day, but I wasn’t a bad person. Well, not to her.
I stood at her side, hands in my pockets and watched her work the crowd, hugging some of the girls and complimenting people until the line was gone and people were packed inside. Then her friend appeared to collect the tickets for the drawing and the dark haired girl’s mouth fell open when she saw me. I couldn’t remember her name to save my life. I sucked at names as much as I sucked at being polite to clients.
“Blair, you remember Dr. Douchecanoe. He’s stalking me now.” I grinned and tipped my head at Blair. Blair. Blair Smith. Ozma was smiling like she won the lottery, all because she had the prime opportunity to embarrass me, and was doing a damn good job of it.
“I remember Dr. Oswin. So, you ready to help me in here, or are you going to need a minute to kick his ass? I don’t mind covering.” Blair flashed me an innocent smile and batted her lashes.
“He was just leaving. Let’s go make some money and give away some clothes!” I watched Ozma stoop to pull out th
e door stop and snap for Ziggy to follow her. The dog pranced in, like it was normal to be following her around, and I got a middle finger as the door closed along with a dazzling smile, complete with dimples. I gave her a minute to think she had won before pulling the glass door open and following her inside the boutique. Harris Oswin is not the type to give up. I would be the only man in a boutique for the next ten years if it meant Ozma spoke to me and let me apologize.
Chapter Four
Ozma
The place was packed, probably breaking some fire code, but the heated stare hitting me in the back was just as likely to start a flame. I put on a bright smile and went to work the crowd, my crowd. I ignored him, or I tried to. Blair and I had sunk everything into the boutique- heart, soul, and a lot of money. It was all for this. The opening set the precedent for success. The reward was right in front of us in the form of dozens of women buying lots of cute clothes. Women ranging from pre-teen to fifty squeezed in, shopping and chatting. We had a table of refreshments from the bakery next door and Ivy was refilling it while Blair worked her magic at the register. I played sales lady, chatting with customers and helping them find clothing that matched what they already had in their baskets.I tried to remember as many names as I could so the next time, I could greet them personally. I was in my element, shaking off the gaze boring into me with every step. The nerve of that asshole. Like I wasn’t already worked up enough without his showing up at my grand opening looking sexy as hell in those jeans and black shirt with those gorgeous eyes. I wasn’t even going to think about his hot body and the freckles on his arms. I huffed to stop the weird fluttering deep in my belly.