In the Mix (4 page)

“We won’t get upset if no one shows up today?” I ask slowly, unsure of how to handle all of this emotion.

“Nope. It also means we won’t be shutting our doors anytime soon!” She pulls me in for a hug—the same one I’m suffocating from.

“Addie, that’s awesome!” I pat her back, hoping she gets the message to let me go.

“Yes it is!” She pulls away. “Well, let’s get inside and set up for whatever crowd we have.”

“Do you have the volunteer list for the people who are helping me today?” I ask as we walk around the building. I unlock the door and we walk in.

“Yes, it’s right here.” She pulls it out of her purse and hands it to me. I set it down on the counter and hang my purse underneath on the hook. I take a moment to look down at the list. It’s filled with the usual people, mostly the ones I drag in here.

“Who’s Lindsey?” I glance up and give her a strange look.

“I don’t know. Her brother set it up with me, though. I guess we’ll find out.” she smiles.

“I guess so.” I return it with a meek one. I hate meeting new people. Well, I just hate having to hold myself back a little from who I am. I hit the stereo and The Go-Go Girls come on singing about their lips being sealed.
I haven’t heard this song in forever!
Just then, the bells at my door ring as it opens.

“Loxy!” Charley yells as Loxy bolts in. She loves her Aunt CiCi. Vader follows suit, heading right for Pearl. Pearl is Vader’s best friend. She’s small but thinks she’s big and he’s the opposite. On some weird level, they’ve connected over this. That’s animals for you.

“Do I have to stay the entire two hours if it’s slow?” Charley asks exasperated. Bitch is lucky Addie is here. See, I hate holding my
crazy
back—pisses me off! I give her a look. Being sisters, we get all telepathic and shit.

“No. I actually have a lot of people signed up for today. I just hope I have work for those people.” I throw her an apron.

“I don’t want this one!” She throws it back.

“Put it on!” I throw it back at her.

“
It says I
Puddy Tat!
I’m not wearing it,” she growls and throws it onto the shelf.

“Here.” I roll my eyes and hand her a different one. She opens it.

“Ceese!
My bird is bigger than yours?
Why does every apron have to have a sexual reference? You don’t even groom birds!” She turns it inside out and puts it on.

“It’s a conversation piece.” I shrug.

“What the hell kind of conversation are you going to start with that besides inappropriate ones that have nothing to do with animals?” She throws her hair up in a ponybun aggressively.

“Exactly.” I smirk.

“We need to find a cure for you soon!” She shakes her head and takes Loxy and Vader into the back.

“I love you!” I bellow out.

And out of nowhere . . .

The bells go off and five people walk in with their pets as if they are in a parade.
What the . . . ?
Ok. I was not expecting this! I get them situated and give them their pick up times. And just like that, the shop comes to life and we are crazy busy.

11:00 a.m.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for CiCi.” I hear a woman say. I look up from the schedule.

“That’s me.” I’m a little caught off guard. She’s a short woman, about Maddie’s height, at five foot nothing. She has light brown hair and piercing blue eyes. She also has downs syndrome. So, yeah, I was caught off guard at first but, I’m not a complete douchebag, so I bounce back.

“Ooh . . . you are pretty.” She smiles as her eyes widen.
Huh?

“I’m sorry, did you have a pet you wanted groomed today?” I ignore the compliment.

“No. I’m here to help. I’m Lindsey and I signed up to volunteer.” She smiles.

“Lindsey, that is some fucking cool shit right there!” I say and goddamn it, I mean the shit out of it! How awesome is she? “Come on to the back. We’ve been getting slaughtered and can definitely use your help!” I show her the way.

“You cursed!” she giggles.

“I did. Are you ok with that?” I look back and arch my brows up at her.

“It’s fucking awesome,” she laughs. “Is it ok if I curse? I’m not allowed to at home.”

“Only around me. Not the customers.” I chuckle. I’m gonna love the hell out of this girl—I can feel it.

“Cool!”

“Alright, Ceese, I’m outta here. Buddy is next.” Charley takes her apron off and runs her arm across her forehead.

“Fuck,” I sigh. Buddy is not one I want to give Lindsey. “Thanks for your help, Charley.”

“I’ll see you for dinner tonight, right?” She leashes Loxy and Vader.

“Am I cooking?” I ask.

“Uh, no.” She looks at me weird.

“I’ll definitely be there then.”

“You wouldn’t be there if you were cooking?” She asks cuz she falls for this shit all of the time.

“No. My cooking sucks.” I shrug.

“So, you would cook then leave?”

“No, I just wouldn’t show up. I don’t want to be guilted into eating my own food.” I shrug.

“Your food wouldn’t be there if you didn’t show up in enough time to cook it.”

“Exactly.”

“You make me want to be a better alcoholic, Ceese.” She shakes her head and walks away.

“See you at AA!” I shout.

“What’s AA?” Lindsey asks.

“Asswhores Anonymous.” I shrug.

“Oh, I always wondered what that was,” she sighs. I should tell her the truth, but I think I’ll just leave it alone for now, especially since the damn door is jingling away.

“Is this Buddy?” Lindsey asks just as I’m about to go out to greet the other customers. I turn to find her opening his cage.

“Lindsey, no!” I say quickly but not quickly enough.

Holy Fuck!

I stand here rooted to the floor, jaw open, and eyes staring in disbelief. Buddy is loving on Lindsey like she is his long lost friend. He has
never
responded to anybody like this. Not even his owner, DeeDee.

“You ready to get all cleaned up, Buddy. You are sooo cute.” She giggles at his kisses. “Should I take him over to the wash station?” She looks up at me.

“Um, yeah . . . that one over there.” I say in disbelief. “I’ll be right back.”

“Ok.”

I head out to the front, still in shock. Wow. Just, wow. I grab the next few clients and bring them into the back. Lindsey is rinsing Buddy down. I walk over to them to instruct her on what to do. Buddy barks at me as if to say
Back off, bitch!
Gladly, dude.

I grab Delilah, the poodle, and take her over to the next station. I keep an eye on Lindsey. She’s wonderful with Buddy. She’s calm and gentle. He’s like a completely different dog.

The last few hours have flown by. Actually, the whole day has flown by! I can’t believe how busy I was. I wish that were the case on a more regular basis. Although, many of the customers today were very happy with my work—our work—and said they would be coming back. I could really use the boost in clientele!

Lindsey stayed with me the rest of the day. She was only supposed to do two hours but she loved it and I loved having her here! We’ve really connected. There’s something so simple between us—acceptance. We both sense it, I think. Her brother is picking her up soon and I want to talk to him about her working here part-time. She’s awesome with the animals, she does a great job, and honestly, it’s hard to find good people who care as much. She shouldn’t be wasting her time bagging groceries.
Hell no!

I walk out of the bathroom and hear chatter coming from the front. I hope that’s her brother she let in here and not a stranger! I push the swinging door. Looking up, we lock eyes.

Faaaaaaaacccckkkk!

“CiCi, tell him!” Lindsay shrieks. Kyle’s eyes continue to burn into me. You bitches saw that coming, didn’t you? Mother fucker!

“Tell me what?” he asks and licks his bottom lip. I lick mine involuntarily. His brows dart up.
Fuck the butterflies in my belly!
Why does this guy affect me so much? Jesus, I haven’t felt butterflies in my stomach like this since . . . since—Drew!
No!

“I have nothing to tell you.” I’m suddenly not feeling so good.

“CiCi, you said you would like me to work here part-time, if I could.” Lindsay reminds me. Her voice so quiet, it’s almost as if she’s ready to accept the disappointment in the fact that I lied to her.
Shit.

“Right.” I smile at her. “I’d love for Lindsay to come and work for me.” I look back at him.

“Really?” he asks with a look. I don’t know what that look is. Is he in shock?

“Yes. She’s a good worker, loves the animals, and they love her back. I’d love to have her here.” I avoid his eyes now; they pierce right through me.

“CiCi, that’s wonderful. I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind at all.” He crosses the room to me. Shit . . . why is he crossing the room to me? His hands grasp my upper arms gently. “Thank you, Ceese,” he says softly. His eyes are full of warmth. He squeezes my arms a little for emphasis. I bite the inside of my cheek because I’m all levels of uncomfortable right now. “You have no idea how amazing you are—how amazing your offer just was,” he almost whispers now. His fresh minty breath pleasantly travels up my nostrils. He leans in closer to my face.

And . . .

He eskimo kisses me.

I know, right?

“Ceese,” he breathes then leans in more to kiss me. I pull away.

“So, here’s my business card, Lindsay, with the store hours on it.” I say as I round the counter to get one. “Just let me know what hours you want to work. You can set your own schedule, sweetie.” I smile nervously and walk the card over to her—completely avoiding her brother.

“You ready, Linz?” Kyle asks her as he walks up behind me. He places his hand on my back and slides it up to my left shoulder. “Thanks, Ceese,” he says into my ear then plants a prolonged kiss on my cheek. My stomach leaps up to my heart.

“Can I come this Monday?” she asks.

“Sure!” I pull away from Kyle again. “Thank you so much for all of your help today.” I give her a hug. I’m not much of a hugger. I only don’t mind hugging my family. I don’t mind hugging Lindsay at all. Hmm . . . strange.

“C’mon, Linz.” Kyle says as we break from our hug. He puts his hand on her back in a protective manner as they head to the door. I turn away from them, grab the box UPS dropped off today, and take it to the back room. Placing the box on the table, I open it, and put the product away before I leave. The sound of the swinging door grabs my attention. I turn my head just as Kyle reaches for my arm and turns my whole body to face him—aggressively. I gasp (like a fucking Disney princess). He forces me to back up against the wall. His right hand grasps me by the back of my neck. I try to push him off; my heart is racing so fast, I feel it may explode out of my chest. Kyle grabs my hands and slams them up against the wall above my head. He shifts so that his left hand encircles both of my wrists. His right hand reclaims the back of my neck.

“Get—” I try to yell but Kyle’s mouth is quick to shut mine up as he slams it against me. His tongue licks hard into my mouth. I try to fight him. Every time I do—he licks harder—taking my breath away. Finally, a slight moan of defeat escapes my throat and I give into his demands. Kyle then kisses the ever-loving fuck out of me. You know what? I give that shit right back to him.
Mother fucker!
Invading my mind every day, the way he does—he deserves it!

Kyle groans as I suck the shit out of his bottom lip. He finally frees his lips from the clutches of my teeth. He stares deeply into my eyes, barely able to catch his breath. My lungs match his tempo. He releases my arms. Just when I think he’s going to back up, his hands quickly reach down behind my thighs, above my knees, and he lifts them and me up. He wraps my legs around his waist and pushes my back up against the wall again. My arms flail in a panic and I grab his shoulders. Slowly, he leans up to my mouth and lays the softest kiss on them. He does it again and again. His tongue slides across the slit of my lips. I part them for him and his tongue darts in caressing mine so patiently, I whimper.

His hands slide up my thighs and around to my ass. He cups me possessively and gives a little squeeze as he grinds into me, taking his time exploring my mouth. I have never been kissed this gently in my life. I feel like he’s savoring every second our mouths are locked. I may be doing that as well, but I won’t commit to that statement.