Part 12 (1/2)

*”Two, one has three legs, his name is Tripod, and the other is missing an eye. I tend to take in the ones that have already gone through eight of their lives.”

”What's the name of the one missing the eye?” I asked before taking a sip of wine.

”Spike. He's really tough.”

”Tough, huh?” I remembered my ankle mauling and agreed.

I thought cats in general were tough.

”Do you have any pets?”

I shook my head. ”Although I am getting to know my neighbor's dog. She allows me to play ball with her, the dog, I mean.”

Marci laughed. ”I was going to ask the neighbor or the dog.”

I laughed along with her, but on the inside, my brain was chastising me for bringing up Hailey, but still I went on. ”We played tennis the other day, and the dog got jealous, so I had to play an extra-long game of catch with her.”

”I didn't know you played tennis,” Marci said. ”I love to play.

Maybe we could try it sometime.”

”I really don't play all that well, I'm just learning. So how do you handle working with animals you obviously love? I imagine it can be heartbreaking at times,” I said, anxious to change the subject.

”I try to disa.s.sociate myself and do what I'm trained to do.

Sometimes I manage just fine, then there are other times that it really gets to me. I've learned to look at it like a mechanic does when they're working on a car. If something isn't functioning correctly, I try to find out why and correct it.”

I watched Marci as she talked about tending to sick and wounded animals. Her compa.s.sion was obvious. She was kind with a generous heart. I should've felt like the luckiest girl in the world, and I despised myself for not being able to.

After dinner, we walked to Marci's car. I thought she was about to open the door for me, but she turned suddenly and leaned against it, pulling me into her arms. ”It's a beautiful night, and it's still early. Would you like to go dancing? Besides, I feel like I should at least buy you a drink since you insisted on paying for dinner.”

1.

*She had me around the waist and was holding me tightly against her. It felt wrong. I fought a wave of claustrophobia as I put my hands on the side of her car. She looked at me oddly, clearly expecting me to give into the embrace. ”You seem kind of distant,” she said as she released me.

I winced. The doorway to honesty was wide open, and I owed it to her to take that step. ”I'm having a bit of a problem. I find myself torn, and I'm not sure what to do.”

I took a step back as Marci narrowed her eyes and looked at me. ”My neighbor, the one I mentioned earlier...I find myself attracted...to her.”

Marci inhaled deeply as her arms dropped to her sides.

”I don't want to end up hurting you, but I have to be honest and tell you that I'm really conflicted right now.”

”Thank you for telling me the truth,” she said. ”I've been there before, I know how if feels.”

”You're a wonderful person, and if I'd met you sooner, I don't think I'd be where I am emotionally right now.”

”That's sweet of you to say,” Marci said somberly. I felt ill.

She surprised me by reaching over and taking my hand. ”I'd really like to get to know you better, but I think it wouldn't be fair to either of us to continue like this. I think you should concentrate on sorting your feelings. If things don't work out, give me a call, and if I'm available, I would love to try again.”

All I had to offer was friends.h.i.+p-just like Hailey had offered me. It sucked to be on either end of that offer.

We ended the night with a hug. I apologized so many times that I think Marci wanted to tell me to shut the h.e.l.l up. I walked through the gate of the courtyard alone. Hailey's window was still dark, but I felt her there watching me.

2.

Chapter 12.

Canine advice.

I spent a rainy weekend in my apartment in front of the TV watching the most violent movies that I could find. I didn't want to watch Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant lead me to believe that love conquered all. Instead I watched aliens beat the s.h.i.+t out of one another.

When Kalen called, I told her everything, then begged to be left alone. She reluctantly complied. When Monday came, I immersed myself in work and refused to visit the Rainbow Room.

I was finished with that.

The phone rang around lunchtime, and I debated on answering.

When I saw Marvin's name on the caller ID, I picked it up in case there was a problem.

”Thank you, thank you!” Marvin sang into the phone. ”Thank you for my job and thank you for sending me that lovely client.

She tips well.”

”Who?”

”Hailey something, she said you referred her, but you forgot to give her my card. She called all the surrounding salons until she found me.” Marvin's voice droned on as my mind filled with thoughts of Hailey. ”Locks of gold that felt like silk to my fingers.

She has a beautiful head of hair. I think I enjoyed doing her as much as you.”

”I'm glad it worked out for you both.”

”If I were you, I'd be chasing her like a dog chases a trash truck. She's caliente. That means hot, you know.”

*”Astute observation, Marvin,” I said, trying not to sound sarcastic.