The Foxe & the Hound

“Her dog looks really old.”

“That’s because it is.”

I brought Daisy with me to puppy training class because I need someone else to evaluate the situation with Adam and tell me if I’m reading too much into things or not. She’s the perfect person for the job because she isn’t one of those friends who only tell you what you want to hear. When I tried to pull off bangs in eighth grade, she politely told me I looked like a buffoon and instructed me to immediately grow them out. I’ve trusted her implicitly ever since.

When we walk in, there are even more women than there were for the first class. The twelve measly chairs positioned in a half-circle have long been claimed, and the unlucky few who weren’t able to grab a seat linger around the perimeter.

“Wow. Is Adam a world-renowned dog trainer or something?” Daisy asks, eyeing the group of women as we head toward the back.

I level her with a knowing glare. “No, he’s an eligible bachelor in a small town.”

As if to prove my point, when Adam walks through the gymnasium doors a few minutes later wearing jeans and a Hamilton Animal Clinic t-shirt, a hush falls over the crowd. Everyone sits up a little straighter, pushes their boobs out a little more. Daisy laughs and the sound carries around the entire room. Adam follows it to the source and his green gaze locks with mine. My stomach flips and I hold my breath. It’s been nearly a week since he was in my apartment, and I’m not quite sure how to act. I want to be annoyed with him for not replying to my texts, for completely disappearing yet again, but then he breaks out in a wide, devastating smile. He’s happy to see me. My heart soars and Daisy has to elbow me in the side to get me to look away.

“See?!” I tell her.

“Yeah, okay. He looked really happy to see you, but remember how he hasn’t bothered to call or text you back in the last few days?”

I remember, but now that he’s here in the flesh, I can’t seem to hold on to any of the anger that was brewing over the last few days. Adam is here, and that’s all that matters. The training class starts and he spreads us out around the room. There’s more clicker training, and he adds on a few new tricks to today’s repertoire. We’re supposed to be working on the stay command when he makes his way over to Daisy and me.

“How is Mouse coming along?” he asks, reaching down to pet him.

I beam. “Really good. He’ll sit and stay for a few seconds now before going crazy.”

He laughs. “That’s to be expected in the beginning. He’ll get better at it the more you work with him.”

“Well then, we better get back to it.”

He nods, but he doesn’t drop eye contact, doesn’t move to check on the next student.

“I’m sorry about the last few days. I know you’ve been trying to get in touch about a rain check date and—”

“No worries.” I smile. “Really, it’s fine.”

His brows furrow as if he’s surprised to be let off the hook so easily. “Right, okay. Well maybe I’ll catch you after class?”

I smile. “Of course.”

Daisy has a bone to pick with me as soon as he’s not within earshot.

“Way to cave within the first five seconds of seeing him!”

“He seemed remorseful,” I say with a shrug.

“No,” she whispers, “you just saw those eyes and that jawline and you turned into putty.”

I consider her accusation. Adam does have a good jawline.

“Have you ever considered that maybe I’m a mature adult who knows how to handle herself in public?”

“No. I’ve never once considered that.”

Silly Daisy. If she were in my position, she would have laid into Adam and demanded some sort of excuse, but I don’t need an excuse.

“You can see that he’s interested though, right?”

She narrows her eyes, mulling over her answer before replying, “He does seem overly friendly with you compared to the other students.”

“And did you see the way he smiled at me when he first walked in?”

She nods reluctantly. “I saw.”

I try not to squeal.

“But why do you want him to like you so bad? Are you going to do something about it?”

“Oh.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead; I just wanted to be right about him liking me. “No, I probably won’t do anything.”

“Really?”

“Do I have to do something about it?”

“Not necessarily, but aren’t you on all those apps and attending singles events because you want to find someone to spend time with?”

“Right, sure, but Adam told me the other day that he’s not ready to date.”

She laughs. “Bullshit. He’s been eyeing you all class like you’re dipped in chocolate sauce and he’s got a serious sweet tooth.”