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.