Page 47 of You and Me, For Real
Over an hourafter Ashton’s arrival, she sits on the ground with Teddy patiently resting next to her. Roxy sits across from Ashton, her paw on her leg. Roxy lifts her paw at a signal from Ashton, encouraging her to shake it again. Ashton giggles and rewards her. The transformation of the two of them from earlier today is incredible. With each step of progress Roxy makes, Ashton grows more comfortable around me.
Looking at me, she says, “Now, you try.”
I do as instructed, and Roxy mimics the behavior with me. “Good girl, Roxy.” I reward her with the treat.
Ashton beams beside me, her hair glowing in the afternoon sunshine. “That’s so great, Griffin. You guys are doing so well.”
My heart balloons inside me. I never thought such little praise would mean so much to me.
I smile in return. “That’s because we have such a good teacher.”
Instead of shying away as she usually does, she holds my gaze, her face pleasantly pleased.
At the beginning of our training session, Ashton was tense and timid; but the more she focused on Roxy and forgot about Luke filming, the more relaxed she became and the more I saw the true her—calm and joyful. She has a nurturing gentleness with Roxy that speaks of understanding. She has such a gift with animals, and the world deserves to see it.
While Ashton may be working with Roxy, her calmness permeates all around her. I feel relaxed around her in a way Ihaven’t felt with anyone else. She couldn’t care less that I’m a celebrity. She treats me like anyone else, and I love it.
Mostly.
She’s a littletooprofessional, treating me like every other client. Though, her cheeks often pink before she quickly looks away. Her eyes soften when I catch her watching me with Roxy. Her touches tend to linger on my arm with her instructions. She’sgotto have feelings similar to my own. Right? Then again, I could be forcing my own desires into the interactions.
It makes me hate my dating contract.
I’d love to be more open about my feelings toward her.
I may have willingly agreed to the contract, but the NDA feels like a noose around my throat. I wish I could tell Ashton and explain my fake relationship. If it weren’t for the contract, I’d like to ask her out. But instead, my hands are tied and I’m forced to adhere to Ashton’s condition of professionalism.
I can’t help the way I gravitate toward her—something I’ve never felt with Scarlet. Both women may be beautiful, but Ashton has no need to flaunt her beauty. She’s striking with her hair pulled up, in a simple tee, jean shorts, and hardly an ounce of makeup. She doesn’t even need to try.
“For this last exercise, let’s try to get Roxy comfortable with sharing the same relative space as you.” Ashton stands, brushing off her shorts.
I stand too. “How do we do that?”
“We want to show her she’s safe with you. That you’ll respect each other’s space, while allowing you both to do different things. We’ll sit and chat, and she can decide where and how she wants to be.”
“Okay. So, we need to move inside?”
“Yes, but let’s leave the doors open to ease her into it and make her feel more comfortable.”
We walk into the living room. Ashton perches at the end of my couch as though she’s about to take tea, not just have a casual conversation with a friend.
“Teddy, come.” Teddy sits on the floor next to her feet. “Now you give the same command to Roxy. Allow her to pick her placement and reward her, regardless of where she decides to sit.”
Roxy’s still basking in the sun on the opposite side of the pool in the grass. “Roxy, come.” I keep my voice firm but not harsh. Her ears perk at the sound of her name, and she heeds the command.
Ashton nods and smiles. “Perfect.”
Roxy enters the living room cautiously, sniffing the air. I approach her and reward her with a treat.
Ashton watches Roxy, but speaks quietly to me. “Now, sit and wait for her to follow.”
I sit in the armchair next to Ashton and watch Roxy from the corner of my eye. She approaches slowly. Instead of sitting close to me, she chooses her dog bed in the corner.
“That’s perfectly fine. Go ahead and reward her with another treat.”
“Good girl, Roxy.” I stand and give her a treat.
“Now, we chat.”
