“Ivy? Ivy Smith?” asked the young woman in front of me expectantly. She was a short, curvy red-head wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I looked down at my own attire and felt instantly overdressed. I was wearing black dress pants and a baby blue cashmere sweater that my grandmother had given me three Christmases ago. I was just happy that I hadn’t worn heels and had instead elected to wear slip on style ballet flats.

I smiled at her and extended my hand, “Yes, thanks so much for the opportunity to come in today! You must be Liz?”

She nodded and shook my hand briefly, inspecting what I was wearing, “I probably should have told you over the phone that I thought your first day here you could just get familiar with the animals and what we do here at the facility.”

“Oh well, these clothes are old anyway. It’s no big deal.” I lied. The pants had been an expensive gift too from my grandmother. It was part of a two-piece interview suit she had given me as a graduation present.

Liz shrugged, “Well good. Let’s get started.” She took me on a tour of the facilities that was divided by a long hallway. The bigger dogs were in the back and then down the hall were the cats. Smaller dogs were in pens on the opposite side of the cats.

I had an affinity for big dogs even though I’d never owned a dog growing up. There was one that looked like some sort of hound dog. He was tall, dark brown and had large floppy ears; despite my wardrobe I couldn’t help but want to hug him so I climbed into his pen and did exactly that. He surprised me by standing up on his back paws and hugging me back.

“That’s Cola,” Liz said rubbing his ears. “He’s a favorite among the volunteers.”

“I can see why,” I replied extracting myself from Cola’s embrace.

“Mind if I take him for a walk?” I asked impulsively.

“Are you kidding? He would love that!”

And so I found a leash and took Cola around the grounds and then on a brief jaunt around the city. Although my internship hadn’t technically started yet, I was excited about it. It didn’t pay, but I would gain valuable experience to put on my resume and I would also get to spend time with Cola. Overall, I felt it was a win-win.

As we made our way back to the facility, I saw a stretch limo out front and a man climbed out of it. He was talking on his cellphone, but apparently he wasn’t very engaged in the conversation. Instead he was studying the shelter as if trying to make a decision about something. I studied him as he looked elsewhere, marveling at how good-looking he was. He was tall, stocky with long jet black hair that reached his shoulders. He was wearing a business suit, but the tie around his neck was undone and he had on sunglasses. He began to turn in my direction when for some reason, Cola gave a huge bark and ran in the direction of the man, dragging me behind him.

“Sit boy! Stay! Roll over!” I yelled, trying all the dog commands I knew with the hope one would make him stop.

Apparently none of them worked as Cola greeted the man by sticking his nose in his crotch. The man abruptly ended his conversation, extracted Cola’s nose from his crotch and gave me a long look.

“I’m assuming the animal who just violated me is yours?”

I blushed and stammered out an apology when I noticed the corners of his mouth were turned up. He was only joking with me and I secretly gave a sigh of relief. Part of me feared that he would threaten litigation against the shelter for my inability to control Cola. I’ve heard of suits for more frivolous things.

“He’s not actually mine,” I corrected softly. “He’s one of the dogs from the shelter.”

“One of the shelter’s mongrels?” The man said and part of me didn’t like his use of the word mongrel and I felt myself growing defensive.

“If by mongrel, you mean cute dogs like this one looking for a home, then yes, you’re right.”

“Something tells me that this one will be looking for a home for a while here in the city. He’s huge. What’s the average size of a New York apartment? Five? Seven-hundred feet?”

“If you’re lucky,” I grumbled.

“Exactly.”

“Well, I’m not going to give up hope. The right owner will come along.” I said feeling a little silly knowing my unshakeable optimism was showing again. Ella had said my unrelenting optimism made me seem like a grade-schooler. I hoped this man didn’t also think I sounded immature.

For some reason, I cared about what he thought. I’m not sure if it was because of the limo or because he just seemed so well put together and had actually spoken to me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I wanted him to not think less of me.

“I’m guessing you aren’t the one then?” He removed his sunglasses and it was then that I saw how oddly colored his eyes were. One was blue and the other was green, both beautiful in their own right.

I gulped, immediately finding him even more attractive. I was a sucker for a man with pretty eyes. And he had an equally pretty smile. I found myself moving closer to him, drawn in by an invisible force that I couldn’t explain. He had an animal magnetism about him that made me think very unwholesome thoughts about the stranger I suddenly wanted to get to know in a more intimate setting.

“The one?” I said absently petting Cola on the head.

“Yeah, you don’t plan on adopting him is what I’m guessing from your comment earlier about finding the right owner for him.”

“Oh yeah!” I said feeling silly for forgetting my own words used only a few seconds ago. Nice job coming off as an airhead, I said to myself. I stuck out my hand while making sure I had a fast grip on Cola’s leash, “I’m Ivy. I’m an intern in the communications department here.”

“Ivy. I haven’t heard that name in a really long time. My name’s Hollis. So what is it exactly that you do for the communications department?” He said looking actually interested.

“Well I haven’t actually started yet,” I confessed sheepishly, “But I suppose I’ll be in charge of their email campaign, general copywriting, the newsletter…things like that.”

“Then we might see more of each other…”

His words were innocent, but the suggestive nature of his tone made my mouth dry, “Are you a volunteer...or donor I’m guessing?” I said looking at the limo to keep from having to meet his eyes.

He shook his head, “Neither and this is my boss’ car. I’m too broke to afford a driver.” From the expensive cut of his suit, I thought he was exaggerating his lack of disposable income.

“Oh and who’s your boss?”

“He’s inside actually. Want to meet him?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know. I think I should get back to work. I technically haven’t even done anything work related since getting here. Hopefully I don’t get fired from a non-paying job for chitchatting,” I said jokingly.

He frowned, “You mean this isn’t a paid internship?”

I shook my head, “Sadly, it isn’t.”

“Are you a trust fund baby or something?”

“Excuse me?” I said with a frown.

“You know, are you independently wealthy?”

“No.”

“But you’re doing an unpaid internship?”

I shrugged and admitted, “Well, I have a part-time job at a grocery store. But I need this experience, so I took the opportunity when it was presented. I guess New York’s full of communications majors.”

“Oh so you went to college?”

I found myself offended by his comment so I replied sharper than I intended, “Yes, I’m a well-educated cashier, apparently.”

He had the good sense to look embarrassed, “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to imply that you couldn’t have gone to college and still work in a grocery store. Stupid comment on my part. Jobs are hard to come by and there’s a lot of competition here. I get that.”

“It’s okay,” I said turning away as Cola suddenly lunged forward dragging me away from Hollis. “I guess I’ll see you inside.”

He jogged ahead and opened the door, “After you, my lady.”

I smiled back, wondering if he were flirting with me and hoping that I gave off the vibe that I was receptive to his interest, if any were there.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to find out as Liz came towards me looking a little worried.

“Sorry that I took so long,” I immediately said.

“What? Oh no, that’s not a problem. I’m sure Cola enjoyed the walk. It’s just that I was wondering if you would mind helping out with the calls coming in.”

It wasn’t until then that I noticed the increase in activity. “Is something going on?”

She nodded, “It’s the shelter’s fifteenth anniversary and the family who started it sent someone, a member of their family, to help with the publicity shot for this year’s ads.”

“Oh so someone from the Youngblood family is actually here?”

“Yep. And he’s pretty hot. You have to come meet him.”

I touched my hair, happy that I had dressed up today and hoping that my walk with Cola hadn’t knocked any of my hairs out of place.

I saw a camera crew and several others circling around a man who I could only describe as model-like beautiful. He was probably just above six feet and wore plain black pants with a turtleneck sweater. Something about the ensemble looked expensive and the way the clothes fit his well-built body made me think they had been tailored to his muscular form. He was smiling as Liz caught his attention and introduced me to him.

He grinned widely and readily extended his hand. I placed my hand in his and instantly wished that I hadn’t. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt as if a spark ignited in my body when he touched me.

I felt my breath quicken and I swallowed hard. His name was Winslow. Winslow Youngblood.

He studied me with his grey eyes and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ivy. Thanks for coming aboard.”

“Actually, I was just telling Ms. Ivy that maybe there was something we could do to be sure she’s compensated for her work here,” a voice said behind me and I turned around and found Hollis standing there.

The friendliness in his eyes was gone now. And if I didn’t know better I would think he looked as if he were jealous. Jealous of Winslow? That couldn’t be.

“Explain,” Winslow said to Hollis.

“The internship is unpaid.”

“We’re supporting slave labor now at the shelter?” Winslow asked wryly.

Liz blushed, “We don’t have the funds---”

“Consider it done. How’s twenty-five an hour? Hollis will see to it,” Winslow said nonchalantly and I realized he still held my hand as I tried to think with him still touching me.

I was ashamed to say the heat of his hand was doing things to me that I wouldn’t ever admit out loud to anyone and he didn’t seem inclined to let go.

I didn’t want to be rude and snatch my hand away, but the way Hollis regarded Winslow’s hand over mine made me want to remove myself from the situation entirely. The attention of two good-looking men in one day, what were the chances?

“I assume you’re attending the ball tonight?” Winslow asked me changing the subject.

“What ball?”

“The annual Homes for the Holidays Ball,” Liz explained, “Winslow’s family hosts it every year and the proceeds benefit the shelter and at least twenty-five percent of our animals in the shelter are adopted out through the event.”

“Twenty-five percent? That’s pretty amazing.” I then directed my attention back to Winslow, “I would love to go.”

He smiled broadly and said, “Give Hollis here your information and I’ll be sure you get a ticket.” Without another word he turned away and began to chat with Liz and the camera crew.

I looked awkwardly at Hollis who shrugged and gestured for me to follow him.

“Looks like you made quite an impression on Winslow.”

I shrugged no committedly.

Hollis gave me a look as he opened the door to the office for me and I sat down at a chair across from him. He surprised me when he pulled out his cellphone and said, “What’s your number?”

“Excuse me?” Was he asking me out?

“Winslow asked me to get your contact information remember? For tonight?”

“Oh,” I said and he promptly said, “Why do you sound so disappointed? You didn’t think I wanted your number to ask you out or something? Did you?”

I immediately blushed and said, “No, you just caught me off guard.”

He studied me for a long time, those two disparate colored eyes were clearly judging me and for some reason I felt guilty as if I had invited Winslow’s attention.

I had half a mind to say that when I realized that I didn’t owe Hollis an explanation. Crushing my desire to please, I said nothing at all and simply began to give Hollis the information he requested.

When he had all the information he needed, he got up to leave and I found myself wondering if I would see him again.

“See you tonight,” he said simply in parting. And with that, I had my answer.