Page 3 of Dog Days

THREE

Alfie

I was standing there, trying to calm down Judi Dench, not entirely sure what’d just happened. When I’d walked in with Judi, the barista immediately commandeered her—this happened more often than you’d think—and was showing her off to her coworkers and the other patrons while I waited for Gideon.

When he startled at her play-bark, I thought it was hilarious because he was so fucking huge compared to Judi. I’d even laughed and was about to continue our back-and-forth with a joke, but immediately knew it was the wrong move.

Gideon then demonstrated in the most heartbreaking way possible exactly how terrified he was. As a therapist who had worked with kids and adults who were afraid of dogs, I knew exactly how little control he had over his reaction.

I was in a panic because Judi wasn’t calming down and I should’ve read Gideon’s reaction much sooner than I did. Just as I was finally getting her under control, the barista came running up to me, setting her off again.

“I’m so sorry! I was petting her, showing Joey how she sits so pretty. She saw you hug Gideon, and suddenly, she tore ass through the shop. I couldn’t catch her.”

“It’s okay,” I said, still trying to wrangle Judi. “She gets really excited when she thinks it’s playtime, but this is?—”

I stopped, realizing that Gideon was gone.

Wait, was that right? I looked around. “What happened to Gideon?”

Judi finally stopped barking, and the barista—Josie—grimaced. “He picked up the table and chairs and then walked out.”

Gideon had made an offhand joke about being raised in the foster system and how it gave him a personality. It didn’t take a jerk with a psychology degree— that’d be me —to put the pieces together.

Fuck. I’d really fucked this up.

Worse, I’d laughed.

Therapist of the year, right here, folks.

God. Fucking. Dammit.

Holding onto her leash like grim death, I set Judi down and called Andrea to give her the rundown.

“If Judi doesn’t like him, that’s your red flag.”

I sighed. She didn’t get it.

“That’s the thing—she was really, really excited. Like, hopped up on four shots of espresso and a bump of coke excited. She wanted to play, and it freaked him the fuck out.”

“Oh…”

“And then I laughed when he jumped,” I groaned.

“And he really was scared?”

“He was petrified ,” I said, internally cursing myself. “I just didn’t clock it right away and now I feel like the biggest shithead in the world.”

“It sounds like he was into you if that counts.”

I snorted. “ Was being the operative word.” I paced up and down the little patio, tugging on my hair. “You think I should try to apologize to him? Or should I just let him go in peace?”

“I think you should at least try.” I could hear the pause. “But maybe don’t harangue him.”

“I would never,” I huffed. “But if I can get him to see me again tonight, can you grab Judi for me?”

“Of course. I’ll be there in five to commiserate and make fun of you while I grab my favorite dog for a visit.”

“Thanks, I think.”

She laughed and hung up.

Biting my lip, I pulled out my phone. I wanted to call him, but I didn’t think he’d pick up. Instead, I typed a message.

Me: I laughed, and it wasn’t funny, and I am so very sorry.

Me: We hadn’t even gotten to the boring part where I tell you that I’m a therapist who specializes in using animals to help kids come out of their shells.

My heart raced when the three dots danced, stopped, and started again. Then stopped again. Fuck, this was going to give me an embolism.

While he was thinking, I shot off another quick text.

Me: I have my friend coming to pick up Judi. I’d really like to come over, make sure you’re okay, and apologize in person. If you’d be okay with that.

The dots started again, and his response was immediate.

Gideon: I already have a therapist. I don’t need you to come over and check on me.

Me: Oh, I wasn’t trying to therapize you. We still haven’t gotten to the discussion about how wrong you are regarding Sisko versus Picard.

He didn’t respond right away, and my heart sank. After several seconds, the dots danced again. I had a feeling he was about to rip me a new one.

Gideon: You laughed at a person in the middle of a serious trauma response.

Gideon: As a therapist, no doubt you understand this means you lose that argument by default.

A tiny spark of hope flared up in my chest.

Me: Yes, but as a bitchy queer, I still like an argument.

Gideon: You should go to therapy for that.

Me: Touché.

I hesitated, then decided to be bold.

Me: I need your drink order, sir.

My heart jumped against my rib cage when the dots started up again.

Gideon: Triple espresso with extra cream and a shot of hazelnut.

Thank God.

Me: I’ve already inappropriately laughed, so I’m not going to comment on the sheer volume of caffeine you’re having me order for you at 7:43 in the evening. I’ll merely ask if the hazelnut syrup is enough or if you need any additional sugar.

Gideon: My caffeine consumption is between me and God. And yes, the hazelnut is sufficient.

Me: And where exactly am I bringing these drinks to?

Gideon sent me his contact card, and I realized his house was only a few blocks down.

Me: I’ll be there in a bit.

I walked up to the counter, and Josie, still feeling bad about the incident, comped the coffee and agreed to let me leave my car parked out front. Andrea joined us a few minutes later.

After hugging me, she went right to the heart of the matter. “Are you sure you want to see a guy who can’t handle dogs? You shouldn’t date a guy out of a sense of guilt.”

I shrugged. “I am genuinely gutted that I hurt him, and I’m sad we didn’t get to finish our date. Like, as dramatic as it sounds, that was the best hug I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

She went all heart eyes and reached for my arm. “Wait, do you fit against him like a puzzle piece?”

“Shut up. You read too many romance novels.”

“Oh my God! You totally fit against that mean guy like a puzzle piece.”

“Fuck off,” I grumbled, smiling as she hugged me again.

“Whatever. You love me.”

“Yes, I do. But now I’ve got to apologize to a guy who looks like he’d give Ed Gein a run for his money,” I said, then muttered to myself, “And, at some point, convince him to marry me.”

“I totally heard that, Mr. Puzzle Piece. Judi and I are going to have a girls’ sleepover since I doubt you’ll be going home,” she said, picking up Judi and giving her a snuggle.

“ Ha .” I grabbed the drink from a still guilty-looking Josie.

Andrea gave me another once over. “I know you’re all hot for him, but are you sure he’s not going to kill you?”

“Honestly, at this point, I’d kind of deserve it.”