Head Over Paws For You

I can sense the ocean’s ebb and flow just like my heartache. 

“Moving out here was supposed to be for the best,” I tell Gigi, my miniature Maltese. She looks up at me and gives me that knowing look like she absolutely understands me. Of course she does. She blinks and then goes back to barking at the seagulls, the couple walking on the beach a mile away, and everything else. She can’t stand to be outside or inside, for that matter, without barking at something. Little yappy dog. 

As I sip my coffee on the porch, I look out into the ocean and vast sky. Yes I was running away, but at least it was beautiful. Blue-green ocean with white sands. Though I wasn’t expecting the quiet, and with that, comes loneliness. And the only thing that gets accomplished when I’m left to my thoughts is thinking about him and my failed marriage. How I am a failure and now a coward by running away. What was I doing here, thinking I could make it on my own. I should just go back like a dog with its’ tail stuck between its’ legs. Speaking of dogs and quiet, I look down to Gigi’s bed next to my feet to see why she’s actually not barking for once. 

She’s not there so I scan the pet barrier that I have on the steps of the porch. She’s not there. Quickly looking around the porch for her, I hear her bark out on the beach. Shit, she’s somehow gotten past the barrier. I look up and she’s barreling fast toward a lone runner. Shit! She will bite his ankles off. Even though her bark is worse than her bite, I don’t need some lawsuit or humane society battle. I yell Gigi and the guy looks up to spot me and then this little white snowball about to attack his ankles. He looks surprised. Good. He’s not scared because she can smell fear. The barrier won’t move. How the heck did she get out and I can’t even move it. 

Finally, I’m out and running towards them. He’s on the ground now. Shit, she tripped him. 

“Gigi!!” Usually she listens to me. 

As I get to them, I slowly realize that she’s not mauling his face off but licking him. And he’s laughing. And woah, what a laugh. It’s deep and hearty. And the smile that goes with it takes my breath away. 

“I’m so sorry, she usually doesn’t get out, I don’t know how she got past the barrier, did she hurt you, oh my I’m so so sorry, I’m sorry she tripped you.”  And now I’m a babbling mess. 

He scoops up Gigi and stands. And damn. My heart stops. Blue-green eyes that match the ocean. Sandy brown hair. Is this guy a mermaid king? Did he wash up from the shore and want to be human? He couldn’t match the beach any better. 

I realize I’m staring with my mouth open. I close my mouth and try to distract myself by looking slightly down at Gigi. That doesn’t help. 

 His body is chiseled and tan. Muscles stretch his white t-shirt tight across his chest. Gigi is sprawled along his forearm, and his bicep bulges, barely fitting in that sleeve of his. He could be in one of those firefighter with the puppy calendars. Or is it policemen or baseball players with their long bats. Oh god, why did my mind just go there. Do they even still have those? Calendars not the bats. Because I could definitely use a poster of him up in my room. Woah this isn’t the 1990’s, and I’m not a teenager anymore. 

Shit, I’m still staring. At least my tongue isn’t hanging out like Gigi’s. Yeah me and you both girl. 

“Again, I’m so sorry,” I say, as I look up into those amazing eyes. They twinkle as if he knew exactly what I’ve been thinking. Heat flares up from my core and spreads quickly down my body. 

“Well it’s not everyday I get attacked by a vicious licker.” His voice is deep and husky. My oh my. My eyes scan his lips. Yeah I’d like to lick those too. Gigi, you’re a lucky girl. 

“Sorry, she doesn’t usually like men. I’m surprised she got that close to you.”

“Maybe I have a special connection with her.” He arches an eyebrow and smirks. My knees go weak. What the hell Josie, get it together. It’s not like you haven’t seen a hot body on the beach before. 

“Sure...so special that you went head over heels when she tried to bite your ankles off. Landing you in the sand.” There! That should knock that smirk off his face. 

“Ha,” he shakes his head. Oh there’s that laugh again. It’s like the warmth of the sunshine for my ears. A drop of whiskey for my soul. I’m a puddle of mush.

“It’s a trick I’ve picked up with little dogs. If you get on their level, they won’t be as aggressive. Most are just trying to be the big dog. Right Gigi?” Damn now he’s talking to my dog. Can this guy get anymore adorable? Ugh and now he thinks he’s my dog whisperer. 

Exasperated, I retort, “How do you know she wasn’t just going to eat your face?” Okay, now I feel like a 6-year-old. 

“Because most dogs can’t resist this face.” Both of his eyebrows shoot up like he’s flirting with me. There’s that smirk again. I’d like to lick - no! SMACK - get it straight brain - that smirk right off his face. 

He points to the house. “I heard someone rented out the Taylor’s old house.”

“Uh stalker much?” He is still holding my dog who looks happy not going anywhere. 

He shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. “Small town. Everyone knows the latest gossip.”

“I doubt I’m gossip. I’ve been here about 4 months now so I’m sure that’s old news.” Oh gosh Josie, sure give this stranger all your life details. Why don’t you just invite him in and give him the ax for your murder. 

“Well, I just got into town yesterday. I’m Evan.” Ooo now I have a name to put with his pretty face. 

“Hmm, thanks. If I could have Gigi back, we’ll be on our way.” I say as I put my hands out for Gigi. She side eyes me like she doesn’t want to leave the warm body that’s holding her. Wow someone is taking sides. He gives her over, still with that stupid grin on his face. Like he knows what I’m thinking.

As I walk back toward the house, I start mumbling to Gigi.

“Geez Gigi, could you have picked someone else’s ankles to go after? Someone a little less egotistical. A little less hot. You had to chase down Mr. Prince Charming of the Sea. And don’t look at me like that. I’m not giving this random guy my name.” 

There’s that side eye from her again. “Fine. Yes, I’ve slept with some random guys over the past couple months but I never give my real name. I don’t even know why I listen to you. How did you even get out?”

She looks up at me with a conspiratorial grin. Happy as can be. 

I get to the barrier, and I turn around to see where my Mermaid Prince Charming went. Sharp inhale. He’s still standing there, watching me. I can see his sharp blue-green eyes. Those are ingrained into my vision like staring into the sun. He raises his hand in a gesture that says bye, see you later, this isn’t over. 

I turn quickly around, recheck the barrier and step up to the porch. I don’t turn around again until I’ve made sure Gigi isn’t going to go running after him again. I sit on my chair like nothing happened. I finally glance up to see him disappearing a mile down the beach. What a fine specimen he is, even from behind. 

Looking down at a panting Gigi, I feel the same way, girl. “Too bad I can’t wear my emotions like you do.” He left me warm and giddy. Excited. Something I haven’t felt in a long time. “Moving out here was definitely for the best.”

And with that, she yawns and lays down as if this was her plan all along.