The hot wax felt soothing as the aesthetician applied it under Josies brow and covered it with a strip of gauze. When she ripped that sucker away in one aggressive sweep of her hand, Josie saw stars.
Aauughhhhh! She jolted up in the reclining salon chair, panting. You said people do this every week? Why would someone do that to themselves?
The aesthetician giggled, gently pushing Josie back into the chair. You get used to it.
Josie lay back and closed her eyes, dazed by the series of events that had brought her to this high-end torture chamber. Taking a deep breath, she had to admit it was impressive what a girl could achieve in just a couple of angst-fueled weeks.
She never did hear back from Rick. After a few days of compulsive e-mail and voice mail checking, she figured hed dropped off the face of the earth. But a strange thing had occurred in the meantimeJosie lost her appetite. It had never happened before, and in days her clothes felt looser. So she decided it was the perfect time to hit the gym again, where she might be able to get more bang for her workout buck, kind of like going grocery shopping on double-coupon days.
Ten pounds later, Josie looked and felt terrific. Though Ginger didnt know the circumstances of this sudden slim-down, she applauded Josie for her willpower and gave her a gift certificate to her salon, where Josie had just been given a mani-pedi, a stylish new cut, and half of a hellish wax job.
When the procedure mercifully came to an end, she stood before a huge salon mirror. Her hair looked terrific, no question, subtle layers of soft curls just above her shoulder that gave definition to her round cheeks. And Ginger had been rightthe eyebrow wax really did open up Josies whole face and emphasize her eyes. All that and ten fewer pounds had resulted in an astounding change in her appearance.
You like?
Josie nodded, but peered closer to the mirror, noting a red stripe above her eyelid. She touched it.
Dont touch it! the aesthetician cried. Let the aloe vera do its thing.
The irritation will be gone within the hour.
Josie turned her head to get a side view of the welts. You sure about that?
Positive.
Leaving the salon, Josie knew it was now or never. She had to take advantage of this convergence of fate. The perfectly styled haircut, the new eyebrows, and the cute new outfit shed chosen to weara silk georgette skirt that ended in a sexy flounce right above the knee, paired with a form-fitting white cami and a cute three-quarter-sleeve jacketshe knew this was as good as it was ever going to get. It was time to make her move.
About a half hour later, Josie strolled from her car across the Celestial Pet parking lot, the dog-grooming salon in her crosshairs. She smiled, knowing the shopping cart lady was gone, gone, gone, and in her place was a vixen with some seriously emphasized eyes.
Her plan was to walk right up to Rick the dog groomer and demand an explanation for his lack of follow-through. The man didnt stand a chance.
A young woman with leather studs in her ears and a silver hoop in her nose looked up from a book. Her eyes took a second to focus. May I help you? She said this with the enthusiasm of someone whod just been hit with a tranquilizer gun.
Yes. I was wondering if I could talk to Rick. Is he in today?
She scrunched up her nose like something smelled bad, but said nothing.
You know, Rick, Josie repeated. Hes a groomer at this store? Light brown hair? She hoped these details might jog the girls memory.
Sorry, but theres no groomer here named Rick. In fact, the only groomers who work at this store are women. Did you want to make an appointment or something?
Josie shifted her weight from foot to foot, puzzling this out. Could she have imagined Rick? Had the lack of sleep that day, combined with that pornographic list, led to some kind of hallucination of wishful thinking? Had she imagined that whole conversation? Those emerald eyes and that luscious mouth? Her mother had always accused her of letting her imagination get the best of her. But not this time, Josie knew. No way. Rick was real.
Of course theres a man here by that name, she said with confidence. I met him. I spoke to him. He /touched/ me.
The girl slammed her book shut with annoyance. I dont think so.
Josie was becoming agitated. But he was here on opening day. I was one of the first ten dog owners to come in the store. I won a whole years worth of free grooming and he signed me up!
The girl pursed her lips, then said, I dont know what to tell you, lady.
Theres no groomer here named Rick. Besides, whats with your eyelids?
Josie gasped, touching her brow, cursing herself for not checking herself in the mirror before waltzing in here. Allergies, she said.
Right. So if you want to schedule a grooming appointment, great. If not, Im going to have to call security.
Josie sighed in exasperation, then leaned an elbow on the counter. Maybe she needed a new approach. Okay, heres the thingthis man was so sexy I had to change my underpants when I got home, all right? Green eyes so deep you could take a bath in them. Diana Ross eyelashes. And theres a really wicked tattoo running up the side of his neck and when I saw it my knees got so weak I thought Id fall down. And I dont even like tattoos.
Dude! The girl bolted ramrod straight in her chair. Ricks not a groomer!
No? Josie backed away, startled by the girls sudden zest.
No way. Rick Rousseau owns the place.
Huh?
Yeah. Rick Rousseau owns all fourteen Celestial Pet Superstores in Northern California. Hes the CEO! He always helps out in all the departments at a grand opening, and yeah, youre right, he was in here for a while that morning.
I had no idea, Josie mumbled. This definitely changed things. How do you spell that last name? Josie asked, pulling a note pad from her new bag.
You said he /touched/ you? The girl looked at Josie with newfound respect as she spelled it. Damn. I wish I were you.
Josie thanked her for her time. She used her car visor mirror to apply a dab of concealer to her eyelids. She located the Celestial Pet corporate offices on her GPS before either her nerve or her hairstyle could wilt.
She was about to pull out of her shopping center parking space when she heard a tapping on the drivers side window.
Josie? A mans pale blond head appeared at eye level. Wowyou look fabulous. Ive really missed you.
Josie sighed. It was Lloyd, the latest man to break up with her. It had been nearly three months, and she couldnt say that she missed him. She rarely even thought of him. In fact, the last time he crossed Josies mind was about a week ago when she found one of his CDs mixed in with her music stash. It was a Clay Aiken live bootleg recording.
She rolled down her window. Hey, Lloyd. Whats up?
His eyes looked her over hungrily. Have you done something different?
Your hair? Your weight? Your makeup?
Nope. Ive always looked exactly like this. Okay, it was probably impolite messing with his head like that, but so was the way he left her. She came home from work late one night and found a note that read, /Its just not working for me. Take care./ No further details. Josie was ashamed to admit it, but at the time she actually appreciated Lloyds correspondence, owing to the fact that the previous disappearing boyfriendthat would be Spikehadnt left a note of any kind. It was as if Spike had been sucked into another dimension, along with his toiletries and clothing. She never saw or spoke to Spike again. Later she heard hed moved to Los Angeles and was working at a Chuck E. Cheeses, so shed been dead-on correct about the other-dimension part.
What are you up to, Josie? Doing a little shopping on the /Herald/s dime? Lloyd laughed at his own unfunny joke, one of the things shed never liked about him.
I have every other Thursday afternoon off, remember? Because I go in every other Saturday morning, remember?
He nodded. Sure. Sure.
He didnt remember. A man had to care about the woman he lived with before he detected any kind of pattern in her work schedule. Well, I need to go, Lloyd. Nice seeing you.
Can you have lunch with me? My treat.
Josie shot him a look that said /hell no/ but her mouth said, Nows not a good time.
We had something special, Josie. I think about you a lot. His eyes continued to scan up and down her person. You sure you havent done something different? Because you look great. I mean, you always looked nice, but you look, you know, /a lot/ better. I hope you dont take that the wrong way.
Was that even possible? She shook her head and laughed. Okay, Lloyd, I confess. Youre right. Ive done something radically different. Im now choosy about the men I have lunch with. And the truth is, I wouldnt eat with you if I were a starving typhoon survivor and you were with the Red Cross.
She rolled up her window and put the car in reverse. She heard Lloyd cry out but she didnt catch what he said, and worried that she might have run over his foot.
Celestial Pet Superstores, Inc., was headquartered just outside Berkeley in a two-story office complex made of mirrored glass and shiny steel. A three-dimensional corporate logo hung over the entrance, big as a tractor-trailer. It was a globe orbited by cats, dogs, birds, fish, and small rodents that could have been either guinea pigs or gerbils, it was anybodys call. Josie entered, but before she could make it across the marble lobby, a security guard with a badge and gun headed her off. He inquired about her business.
Ive come to see Mr. Rousseau.
The guards bushy eyebrows knitted together. Do you have an appointment?
In a way.
He chuckled. What way would that be?
Umm… Josie began to question her plan. Maybe she should have just phoned. But you cant show off a kick-ass make over over the phone, now can you? Rick said hed call me, but never did.
The guard looked at her quizzically. So youre a stalker?
No, Im a reporter.
Wrong answer. He marched over to the security desk and dialed up the public relations department. He checked Josies press ID and her drivers license, made her sign a visitor log, clipped a temporary badge to the strap of her bag, and gave her directions.
She took the elevator but skipped the PR office entirely and headed toward a set of unmarked glass doors that screamed executive suite. The reception area inside was empty so she headed down an interior hallway.
A huge man nearly crashed into her.
May I help you? His eyes darted to her visitors badge.
Josie looked up, up, and up some more. Huge really didnt cover it. The guy was a giant. Close to seven feet tall. Blackest of black skin. Shiny bald head. A diamond stud the size of a blueberry in his right ear.
Rick Rousseau, please, she croaked.
The man stiffened, as though he were alarmed by her request. Im afraid hes unavailable. How did you get in here?
May I speak to his secretary?
That would be me.
She laughed. She didnt mean to be rude, and she knew it was well into the twenty-first century and there was no such thing as typical anymore, but shed never seen a secretary of his proportions. I just need a moment of his time, she said, composing herself.
Thats not going to be possi A big mahogany door opened and out stepped Rick, focused on a stack of papers in his hand. He wore a pair of olive green hiking shortsthe kind with a hundred pocketsrunning shoes without socks, and a Barenaked Ladies concert T-shirt. His hair had grown a little longer, and he hadnt shaved.
God, the man was even hotter than she remembered.
Hi, Rick. Josie peeked around the freakishly large secretary whod just blocked her approach.
Ricks head snapped up, and he blinked at her with those ocean-green eyes. She watched as he flipped through his mental Rolodex in an attempt to recall who she was and why in the world she was standing in his hallway. She was about to help him but it turned out not to be necessary.
Josie, he said, shifting from a look of surprise to outright curiosity.
Your hair is styled differently. And I can see you didnt sleep on the sidewalk last night.
Nope. Ive been sleeping indoors lately. And yes, my hairs different.
I like it. A lot.
She touched the curls that now just grazed her shoulder. Thanks.
Hows Genghis?
Great. He sends his regards.
At that point, Rick nodded to the big man, who immediately stepped aside, accepting the stack of papers from Ricks hand. There was a flash of something in Ricks eyes when he first saw Josie from head to toe. It looked like appreciation, but it disappeared instantly.
Teeny Worrell, this is Josephine Sheehan, a devoted Celestial Pet customer. Josie, youve already met Teeny.
A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Sheehan, Teeny said, extending his humongous hand for a shake.
The pleasures mine, Mr. Worrell. Her hand disappeared in the secretarys grip.
Why dont you walk with me? Rick placed a hand at the small of Josies back and turned her toward the reception area. She stole a glance back at the extra-large Teeny, who was shaking his head.
So, Rick said cheerfully, do you invade the workplace of every guy you invite for coffee? He held the glass doors open like a gentleman. An angry gentleman.
I dont knowdo you always promise women that youll call but never do?
He raised one dark brown eyebrow and looked down at her. Theyd stopped walking and stood very close in the elevator lobby. His hand slid from the center of her back to her hip, where it lingered. Chills raced up her spine, and that weird energy was backJosies body was flooded with it.
Something came up on the East Coast. He studied Josies cheeks, her chin, her lips, and then locked his eyes on hers, intense and somber. For the record, I dont usually go back on my word.
Fine. Also for the record, youre only the second man Ive ever asked on a date in my whole life and the first one I ever tracked down at his place of employment, so it looks like its near-virgin territory all around.
They glared at each other for a moment. Eventually, Josie shrugged. It doesnt matter, anyway. I think this whole thing was a mistake. She took a step back and his hand fell away from her hip. She immediately regretted the move and wanted to slap it right back on her butt, but figured it would be awkward to orchestrate.
He cocked his head and asked, A mistake? Why?
Because I went to the store to find out why the handsome dog groomer blew me off, only to discover youre the employ/er,/ not the employ/ee/.
A faint smile appeared on his lips. Does that matter?
I guess not.
Then wheres the mistake?
Look, I convinced myself there was something special about you. Its a long story. But the bottom line is, I was trying to be more proactive about the whole dating thing and it seems I got carried away.
One of Ricks eyes squinted.
Well, take care. She turned toward the elevator but stopped, thinking she couldnt end things so rudely. No hard feelings, okay? Ill still shop at Celestial Pet. I get all my dog toys there. And now I have the free groomings! She forced a smile. Good-bye.
Rick rubbed his beard stubble, obviously trying to hide a smile. Wait.
Yeah?
Out of curiosity, could you please describe Josephine Sheehans usual approach to dating? I dont think Ill be able to sleep at night unless I know.
She caught the sarcasm in his voice, but it was a legitimate question, and Josie had to think through her answer. She recalled what Bea had said about her lack of initiative and standards. I never had an approach before you.
Is that so?
She nodded with certainty. Yep. But I took one look at you that day at the grooming salon and I said to myself,?Make it happen, girl, or youll always regret it. But like I said, I think I just got carried away.
A shadow passed across Ricks eyes. Please accept my apology for not calling you.
She shrugged. Its okay.
No, its really not, Josie. His voice softened and he reached for her hand, cupping it gently. Never accept that kind of bullshit from a man/ever/. You deserve better. Every woman does.
She laughed. Well, arent you gallant!
His expression narrowed and he shook his head almost imperceptibly. I try my best not to hurt anyone, thats all. A look of puzzlement came over him. Whats wrong with your eyelids?
Inside, Josie had curled up into a fetal position and wished to die.
Outside, she sported a carefree smile. Allergies.
Rick studied her cautiously. Well, Miss Sheehan, how can I can make this up to you?
Josies eyes got big, her lips parted, and her mind began spinning with possibilities. A cup of coffee now seemed way too humdrum a request for such a charming and courteous pet-supply tycoon. Her imagination jumped around from a jaunt to Cabo aboard his corporate jet, to a weekend in wine country, to introducing him to her parents while on a private cruise down the Nile. But instead, she went for something really outlandish.
You could start with a kiss. /My God, where was all this bravado coming from?/ He tugged on her hand until she bumped up against his bodyfull-frontal contact! Her thighs tingled. She got a head rush to end all head rushes.
She raised a hand to his rough cheek. His gaze went directly to her mouth.
Thats the moment he leaned in, angled his head, and the elevator binged.
Three uniformed men burst through the door with their guns pointed at Josies head. Got her, one of them said into a radio clipped to his shirt.
She thought shed pee herself.
Stand down! /Now/! Rick blocked her with his body. She hooked her arms around his waist and ducked. Shes not a security matter, he said. Shes a friend.
Josies legs really did collapse at that point. She began hyperventilating at the idea that real guns with real bullets were pointed at /her/. Since when was she a security risk everywhere she went? Was it the make over? Rick reached behind him and steadied her, preventing her from collapsing to the Berber carpet.
The guards holstered their guns, but Josies buddy from the lobby didnt sound happy about it.
Mr. Rousseau, sir, she was supposed to go to public relations. When she didnt show, I knew I had to stop her before she found a way to get to you.
Rick chuckled. He pulled Josie around and hoisted her up by her armpits.
Too late for that, Im afraid.
Josie gazed up at him. He anointed her with a smile. She wanted to smile in return, but she was so nauseous from the adrenaline crash she decided not to risk it.