by D. F. Jones
“He will not win. But, he’s actually really handsome. Tall, dark blond hair, kind of looks Scandinavian or something. And he’s not a bad guy, but it just turns out that right now he’s my nemesis.”
“You should ask him on a date.”
Hazel’s mouth dropped open. “No. Definitely not.”
Lydia’s lips formed into a coy smile as she shrugged. “I don’t know. Sounds like he’s a pretty good catch. You could always share the dog and have her decide if things go bad.”
“That’s an awful idea. We’d just get back to where we started.”
“But the dog would know you both better, and it would help her make a better decision. Two weeks doesn’t seem that long.”
“It’s fine. Really. We shouldn’t even talk about it, because it won’t happen.”
Lydia fell silent, as did Hazel. The thought of sharing the dog with Lucas had nagged at Hazel’s mind since their walk together. The thought, however, had to be removed like a bad virus on a hard-drive. There was no way it would work out. Besides, it was likely that he didn’t want to share the dog with her. They were, after all, strangers to each other.
Chapter 6
Lucas
It was a surprisingly busy morning. Not that he minded - just meant business was going well, which was always a good thing. He placed another pot into the coffee maker and prepped the coffee filter. He tapped his foot to the song, which was one by the Beatles. He always played their music in the cafe on a set playlist. It bothered some of his employees, but they danced to the oldies but goodies too sometimes.
“You got the dark roast on?”
Lucas turned to Joe, who had the perfect name for a barista. It was also part of the reason he hired Joe, though Lucas would never admit it to him. “Yeah. Dark roast is on. How’s the soup?”
“It’s being heated on the stove as we speak in that massive pot you always force me to use. The bread is a little hard, though. I think we should order more today.”
Lucas thought of the baker and shook his head. There was no way she’d ever make the bread for his cafe like the bakery across town, even if he paid her well. It was not something he could ask, considering the situation between them.
“Got something on your mind?” Joe asked. He adjusted his glasses. “You seem a little spaced out today, dude.”
“Dude? You know my name, Joe. You can’t just go around calling your boss dude.”
“Sorry. Lucas. You’re spaced out.”
Lucas laughed to himself. He always forgot how young Joe was. Freshman in college. “It’s nothing to worry about. Just been thinking about the dog I’m going to adopt soon.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot about that,” Joe said as he patted Lucas on the back. “Trouble with the ice queen?”
“The ice queen?”
“That evil baker you were talking about.”
Lucas took a step back. “Come on, man. She’s not evil.”
“That’s not how you made it sound when you got back from the fundraiser. I mean, what was it you said?” Joe asked, looking thoughtful for a moment. “Oh yeah. There was a bitch there, but it wasn’t a dog.”
Hearing those words from the first day he met Hazel caused Lucas to cringe physically. He really had said that in frustration after their initial meeting. After getting to know Hazel, it felt incredibly wrong to hear his words said back to him.
“She happens to not be a bitch at all.”
“Catching feels?”
“Catching what now? No. Not catching anything, except the fact that you’re not working. There’s a customer.”
Joe brushed past him and turned around, bringing his hands to his chest. He mouthed the words catching feels before spinning around to face the customer at the front.
Lucas shifted the coffee pot in front of him, trying to keep those words out of his head. Joe was young. What he said wasn’t really pertinent to the situation. Lucas couldn’t help but consider what he’d said though. Was it possible? No. Lucas exhaled and made his way to the kitchen to check on the soup.
There was no way he was catching feels.
Chapter 7
Hazel
The wind swept through her hair as she stepped out of the vehicle. The square cement-colored shelter appeared so gloomy from outside. Inside, though, Hazel knew, there were over forty happy faces. She thought she heard them barking from outside, desperate to find a forever home.
She walked away from the vehicles and towards the shelter when she heard paws hitting concrete. She turned her head to see Snow as she rushed towards her. Hazel’s eyes widened and she lowered herself to the ground to welcome the big white fluff with open arms. “What are you doing out here, girl?”
“We were just about to go for a walk.”
She raised her eyes. “And what’re you doing here? Isn’t today my day?”
“I wish I could say it was another mix up,” Lucas said as he stopped before her. “But I figured we could take another walk together. Snow seems to like it more when it’s the two of us walking her than when we walk her alone. According to Aly, she got so tired from our last walk together that she passed out in her kennel. Something she apparently never does.”
“I have to admit. I’m a little surprised.”
“Then wait till you see this. Both of you stay.”
Her eyes followed him as she petted Snow, who was moving her head in a circle so that Hazel’s scritches got her everywhere. He rushed to his car with long strides and opened the Buick’s passenger door. He reached in and came out with a tray with two coffees in it. She smiled to herself, surprised that he’d brought them both coffees. Not only had he coordinated his arrival with hers, but he’d obviously put some thought into what else he could do to make things pleasant.
Butterflies formed in her stomach as she turned to Snow. “I’m going to win you, even if he’s trying to win me over. You’re coming home with me, right?”
The dog closed her mouth and tilted her head.
“Yes, you are.”
Snow’s mouth dropped open in a doggy smile and her pink tongue stuck out.
“Got us some coffees for the walk. Figured you haven’t tried our fair trade light brew yet. It’s our bestseller, so I brought you that. I have some sugar and cream in the car. I left it black, though.”
“That’s great, actually,” she said as she raised to her feet. “I usually drink it black, believe it or not.”
“Definitely thought you’d have a sweet tooth. You know,” he said as he offered her the tray, “since you’re a baker and all.”
“Thank you,” she said as she took one of the coffees out of the tray. “I like my treats sweet but my coffee bitter.”
“I can get behind that.”
“So, we’re going to walk down the path again?”
He started towards the square, grey shelter, which had a lonely blue garbage can next to the front doors. “I don’t think we can take her off the premises and drive her out somewhere, so it’s likely our only option.”
“Well, it’s a little gray out today. We can take a walk, as long as it doesn’t rain.”
He returned from throwing out the tray and took a ball out from his sweater pocket. “I did bring us something to do if you want to stay closer to the shelter. How’s your right arm?”
“It’s fine—” she lifted her hands towards her face as he threw an underhand toss towards her. It bounced off her fingers and landed in the grass, where Snow lunged forward to take a hold of it. “You could’ve warned me about that.”
“It’s always more fun when things come as a surprise.”
“Looks like we’re playing fetch today.”
“Well, it makes sense. You are pretty fetching, after all.”
“Thanks. I guess.”
He lifted his hands in the air. “I meant, like, you almost caught that ball.”
“Right, yeah,” she said as she laughed lightly. “Never was any good at baseball, though.”
“I think I mi
ght be able to help you with that.”
“Really? How so?”
“Well, we have a very willing participant here and, not to brag, but I have a pretty good right arm. She has a lot of energy, so she’ll definitely need someone who can toss a ball,” he said, smiling coyly. “And if I do lose, it’ll be you who gets to play fetch with her. Not that I’ll lose.”
“Oh, no. You will.”
“Will I now?” he asked, and stepped back towards the huge field of bright green grass. “Come on, Snow. Come on. Who wants to play fetch?”
The dog jumped up quickly and rushed forward, her paws smacking against the pavement. Lucas chased after her, both of them heading towards the field. Hazel smiled to herself, enjoying the sight of them together. If she did lose, at least she’d lose to someone worthy of adopting Snow. Someone who would treasure her.
And, most of all, be able to play fetch with her for hours on end.
Chapter 8
Lucas
It was strange. He’d never shown up like that for a girl. He gripped the steering wheel as his stomach shifted in knots on the drive home. What was it about her that caused him to act so erratically? Beyond that, he’d said something irreversibly stupid. You’re fetching? Who the hell says that?
He activated the touchscreen in his car and tapped the phone icon. He scrolled through his contacts as he drove, being sure to keep his eyes on the road. He pushed down on the name he needed and leaned back in the seat, listening to the phone ring from the speakers.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Joe. How’s everything at the cafe?”
“It’s burning down as we speak.”
Lucas scoffed, his lips forming into a thin line. “Seriously, though, how are things at the cafe?”
“Good news is that it’s been steady,” he said, the phone shifting on his end, causing a scuffling sound. “I still think we should reconsider the bread, though. It’s hard again and, like I knew would happen, someone complained.”
“Well, I might have someone for the job.”
“Oh. Are we talking about the bitchy baker?”
Lucas gripped the steering wheel harder. “Hey. Don’t call her that.”
“You started it.”
“Are we seriously going to fight over the phone? Did you forget that I’m your boss, Joe?” Lucas asked as he turned the vehicle to the right. “Remember, you can’t speak to your employers that way or you’ll never be able to hold a job.”
“Okay, sir.”
“That’s better. Is there anything else happening over there?”
“No, sir.”
“All right. I should be there in about half an hour. Keep things running until I get there.”
“Yes, sir. By the way, sir, how did your date go?”
Lucas brushed his hand through his hair. “What do you mean, date?”
“Your walk? With the baker? I mean, you seemed pretty intense about it when you left.”
“It went fine.”
“Just fine, sir?”
“Leave it alone, Joe. I’ll see you soon.”
He could hear Joe sigh on the other end. “Okay, sir. See you soon. Over and out.”
Lucas laughed to himself as the line went silent. Date? He couldn’t possibly consider it a date. It was just two people walking a dog. Yes, he had gone out of his way to get there to surprise her - but it was nothing more than that.
There was no way he was dating the baker. It was all just to get closer to Snow. Not Hazel.
Chapter 9
Hazel
The day had arrived. It was only a matter of time until she’d get to take Snow home. Her stomach filled with a mix of excitement and distress. Why was she upset? She shouldn’t be. This was a good thing. She’d win and be able to take the sweet, rambunctious Samoyed home.
She pulled into the parking lot and sighed, trying to ease her nerves. She parked the car and saw that Lucas’s car was already there. So he had a few moments with the dog beforehand. Not a big blow. She could still win.
Hazel stepped out of the car and tried to control her breathing. She imagined Snow in the back of her vehicle, barking at people as they passed. She’d already prepared her apartment, doggy proofed her garbage, and had a blanket laid out along the back seat so Snow would be comfortable on the drive back. She was ready to bring the Samoyed into her life.
She heard the barking as soon as she walked into the shelter. It was like an orchestra of dogs, with each bark only serving to raise the pitch of the crowd. She heard some howling mixed along with it all as well.
Aly and Lucas stood next to the front desk, with Snow laying down on the floor next to their feet. The dog raised her head as Hazel walked in, and it gave Hazel the renewed hope that she would take Snow home. As Snow’s tail wagged with excitement, Hazel became sure that it would happen. She’d have a dog at the end of this.
“Hey, guys.”
Aly smiled, her red lips making her teeth appear even whiter. “Hey, Hazel. Are you nervous?”
“You bet I am. But I intend on taking Snow home today.”
“We’ll see about that,” Lucas said, and turned to Aly. “Where should we do this? It seems a little loud to do it here.”
“I was thinking about the parking lot, if that works for you guys? You’ve both already filled out the applications, so you’d be able to get her into your car right after.”
“Works for me.”
“And me,” Hazel said as she ruffled the fabric of her jeans with her fingers. “Are you ready, Snow?”
The dog perked up at the sound of Hazel’s voice, which only cemented the idea that Hazel would win. She couldn’t wait. She opened the door and the dog bounded past her, excited to be out in the fresh air. “Snow! Come back.”
The dog had bounded close to the end of the parking lot but returned at being called. Running again, she made it back to them and trotted around, happy to be there.
“So I guess we’ll each take an end with the dog in the middle?”
Aly nodded. “I’ll hold her here, and then you’ll both call her. Whoever she sits with will be the person to take her, as stated in the adoption application.”
Hazel’s heart thrummed as she took a few steps back, ensuring that there was about five feet between all of them. Aly took hold of the Samoyed’s collar and held her directly in the middle of Hazel and Lucas.
Hazel felt sick as she cleared her throat. Everything over these past two weeks had led up to this moment. She couldn’t lose.
“Okay,” Aly said loudly. “One. Two. Three.”
They both called the dog, saying her name over and over again.
“Come here, Snow,” Hazel yelled, attracting the dog’s attention. “Come here, girl!”
Aly released the Samoyed's collar and the dog turned, running straight towards Hazel, who lowered herself to the dog’s level. The dog licked her cheek and brushed against her face with her thick white fur.
“Come here, Snow!” Lucas called.
Just as Hazel thought herself the winner, the dog spun around and bounded for Lucas. As she reached him, she jumped up and down against him, and it was there, to Hazel’s dismay, that the dog sat and stayed. She didn’t feel the same way as Hazel. Snow reacted strongly to Lucas and remained with him.
Hazel stared in disbelief, silent as the tears stung her eyes.
“Looks like you won,” she said, her voice wavering. “Congratulations.”
Aly turned to Hazel. “We have other dogs you can look at.”
“Maybe another time. I’m just gonna head home,” she told her. She met Lucas’ eyes. “Take good care of her.”
Lucas was about to say something when Hazel walked swiftly towards her car, trying to keep it together. The dog had chosen. Lucas had won fair and square. There was nothing more that could be done about it. She opened the driver-side door and sat in the front seat as she took one last moment to look at the dog and the handsome barista, both of whom she’d seen often in the last two weeks.
She started the car. She didn’t want to think about it, but she knew deep down what she was feeling. She’d miss both of them.
Chapter 10
Hazel
She hated these kinds of days. The world outside was grey, and everything felt like it was monotone. Even the music playing in the bakery seemed muted, as though the silence followed her around like a ghost.
Everything had lost its meaning. Even as she arranged the muffins in a perfect pyramid, she experienced an incessant feeling in her stomach. She could imagine Snow as she could have laid down behind the front display case, her nose in the air to sniff whenever Hazel would bring out fresh baked goods. She wanted to go back to the shelter to get a new dog, but it didn’t seem worth it. She’d had her heart set on Snow.
Then there was Lucas. It’d been over a week since she’d seen him, and a pit formed in her chest each time she thought of him. Why bother? He won. He was probably off walking Snow somewhere, being happy that it was just the two of them. None of it mattered.
“You all right?”
She placed the last muffin at the top of the pyramid and turned her head to see Roger leaning against the entryway to the kitchen. He was almost as tall as the doorway itself, and his apron drooped from his gut, which he’d gained since being hired over a year ago. Apparently, from what he’d said, his wife didn’t mind at all. In fact, she liked the fact he’d filled out. Hazel thought it made him seem more approachable, since he was such a tall man.
“I’m fine,” she said, nearly whispering. “I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking about the dog and that guy. I feel like a loser.”
“Oh? And he was handsome, too, right?”