Lucky Dog

By Hazel Anaka

Chloe Rayner loves all things Asian from her Dog horoscope to her lucky Buddha. But when the top job at the not-for-profit opens up she needs professional help to land the job and keep a promise to her father.
Enter success coach Austin Mirnoff and the painful memories he rekindles. If the choice is fight or flight she wants out fast. But Austin can’t allow it because of the attraction he feels. As she embarks on a forced journey of personal growth Austin fights a battle of his own. He walks (and occasionally flirts with) the fine line between personal and professional.
Will Austin’s mixed signals and half truths drive Chloe away for good? Or does love get a second chance? Will Chloe be a part of Austin’s big plans or just a beautiful distraction on the road back to his ex?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hazel Anaka
• Release date: Aug 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9780987701701

Hazel Anaka

My column From Where I Sit has appeared in either print or online or both since 2002. Now I've taken the plunge with my first novel Lucky Dog. I hope you enjoy it while I'm hard at work on the next one!

Book preview

Lucky Dog

By Hazel Anaka

For Hilary

With gratitude to Sandra Livingston

Copyright 2011 Hazel Anaka

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Epub ISBN 978-0-9877017-0-1

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, or events is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please buy an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

As Chloe reread the email for the umpteenth time she remembered that morning’s horoscope.

‘Strive to understand what is happening. Open yourself to possibilities but remember it is not in your nature to pursue foolish goals. Your stubborn streak will cause conflict if not held in check. Friends and enemies will challenge your motives. Venting against authority figures may backfire. Guard against distraction.’

If she played her cards right, her venting days could be over. Maybe the days of banging her head against the wall were over too.

I’m sick of writing the freaking memos, making suggestions, asking permission, avoiding everyone’s toes. I don’t want to watch the years and my career go by. I made dad a promise and my work is not yet done.

But first, she needed to talk to Olivia. Chloe was still dialling the extension number when Olivia burst into her office, shut the door and dropped into the chair near the window.

Chloe, I need your help going over these financials for the report to the Board.

What, no ‘good morning.’ No office gossip. Not a peep about the email.

What’s there to say? I’m just a powerless accounting drudge. Thomas A. is the one likely to get tapped for the director’s job. Frankly, I’d rather kill myself than work for that jerk but I’ve got rent to pay, said Olivia. Besides, I’ve got this dumb report to do.

Chloe’s silence filled the room and piqued Olivia’s interest. It wasn’t like Chloe Rayner, fundraiser and communications officer extraordinaire to be short of words. In fact, schmoozing, networking, communicating were right there in her job description.

Okay, Chlo, you’re scaring me. What’s up?

I’ve read and reread the email about the job competition. I may not be the front-runner, but I thought I’d go for it. Kind of assumed my best friend and colleague would see me as a contender. Assuming Thomas A. has it sewn up kinda hurts, ended Chloe.

Olivia sprang up and threw an arm around her friend’s shoulder. Ahhh, babe, I didn’t know you wanted to be the Big Cheese. Of course, I can see it now....you’d be perfect. Let’s clean that blowhard’s clock!

For several more seconds, Chloe considered her friend’s offer. Olivia’s intensity and fire counter-balanced her own more measured approach to life. But to find out Olivia thought the office head case was a more likely candidate for the director position than Chloe herself was unnerving.

Look, Chloe I have to get back to this report. How about Starbucks tonight or do you have a heavy date with a big fat novel? Come on, say yes. You can’t resist the Olivia Huong charm and logic, beamed Olivia while she edged toward the door.

Out, before we’re both fired. Our usual table at 7, said Chloe as she pushed her friend into the hall and eased the door shut.

She sank into the chair near the window and contemplated her office and her life. Chloe wondered if she had a chance at the job created by the unexpected resignation of her boss. Her concentration was broken when Thomas poked his head into her office.

What now, Thomas?

Did you see Bob’s email about the job posting? I do not know if you intend to apply or not but I am here to give you advance warning. I will be throwing my fedora into the ring, ha ha ha. Bob gave me the proposed timeline for the hiring process. I advised him of my intentions. He welcomed my interest and offered me some advice. You shouldn’t worry your pretty little head about applying for the promotion. It will make your inevitable disappointment easier to bear. Goodness knows I do care about you. I would hate to see you hurt by going after something so clearly out of your reach. Do let me know what you decide after you have had a chance to really think about who among us is the stronger candidate. I know the answer is crystal clear in my mind. Surely, you can see it too.

And with that Thomas A. Wolsey left as quickly as he had arrived. His pomposity hung in the air like cheap cologne.

Chloe glanced at her watch and realized she was stuck at work for another two hours. An inventory of her assets would help her decide if she too should throw her beret into the ring. Kicking Thomas’ ass would warm her heart. She needed to convince Olivia she was the right person to fill the top position at the Northern Alberta Diabetes Society.

Chloe reached for her daily planner and began writing.

STRENGTHS:

•A Commerce degree from the U of A

•Five years experience at NADS first as a summer student, then special events assistant, then fundraising manager/communications officer for the past three

•Developed a protocol for donor development

•Passionate commitment to finding a cure for diabetes (losing your dad to the disease has a way of inspiring a girl)

•High energy level

•Respect of colleagues, superiors, donors and sponsors

•Innovative ideas to move the agency forward and increase fund raising capacity

Try beating that Mr. Wolsey, you pompous ass. Of course no balance sheet is complete without some liabilities.

WEAKNESSES:

•Only twenty-seven years old

•Only five years experience at NADS

•No supervisory experience other than during holiday relief

•Not in Bob’s inner circle like Thomas

•No MBA.

•Haven’t been myself for the two years since Duane’s death.

With that she slammed her planner shut and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.

At 4:30 Chloe shut down her computer and headed home. She replayed the day’s events as she weaved through traffic. Olivia’s hesitation had her second guessing her plan. Maybe this was a foolish idea. Maybe Olivia saw something lacking in Chloe’s skill set or temperament.

Yet she’d love to silence Thomas without having to throttle him with his own ascot. Maybe he was the stronger candidate and she was simply too small to admit it. But what better way to bring in agency reforms than from the top?

Chloe slammed the Venza door shut and reached for her condo keys. She would spend the next two hours solidifying her thinking, bolstering her self-esteem and planning her strategy.

Before long, it was time to stop the navel gazing and head to the coffee shop. Chloe took one final look at herself in the full length mirror near the door. Was she director material?

Certainly nothing about her looks would disqualify her. She was an attractive young woman, five foot four, one hundred and twenty one pounds that should be one hundred sixteen according to her doctor. Those stubborn five pounds were driving her to distraction. She should have left earlier and walked to Starbucks instead of driving. Not this time; there was nothing she hated more than being late.

Even in jeans, tee shirt and a hoodie she looked chic and confident. An aubergine leather bag and black ballet flats finished the look.

She’d copied one of Rihanna’s looks during the Chris Brown days. The asymmetrical haircut prompted women in the office and sometimes even total strangers to ooh and aah and ask for her stylist’s name. The precision cut made her look older and more sophisticated and showed off her thick chestnut hair. When she finally agreed to go to a night club with Olivia she funked it up with product and looked less career girl and more young woman on the prowl; not something she was likely to repeat anytime soon.

Staring back at her were sombre grey eyes hidden behind a pair of new red frames. Chloe viewed glasses more a fashion accessory than a vision aid. Olivia accused her of using them as another way of keeping people, especially male people, at a safe distance. Glasses made her look older, smarter and more professional; a look certain to work in her favour should she pursue the director’s position.

"Hey kid, you weren’t always so calculating. Is that what five years in career-land does to a perfectly nice Ukrainian girl? whispered Chloe to her reflection. What would Dad want me to do? What would Duane say?"

"Snap out of it! I don’t need to channel the dead men in my life for advice. God knows Olivia is eager to tell me what to do. And forget mom, she’s having enough trouble with her own life. No time to go down that dead end road----Gotta get to Starbucks."

With one final look Chloe walked out the door and into the warm August evening.

Chloe was stunned to see Olivia already at their favourite spot in front of the fireplace. Olivia was late every day of her life but Chloe overlooked it because she was a friendly bundle of energy. She was the extrovert to Chloe’s introvert. Her runner’s body was sleek and toned and clothed in the latest fashions. A friend with an open face and equally open heart. With Olivia what you saw is what you got. She didn’t have a pretentious bone in her body and Chloe loved her for that.

They became fast friends when Chloe joined the agency staff and Olivia had done some of her orientation. They hit it off immediately and spent as much social time together as they could manage.

Hey, Liv, is your watch broken?

Sit down, Chloe. I’ve already ordered and paid for your chai. Mike had strict orders to make it the minute he saw you pull up. Get it and sit down. We’ve got hours of work ahead of us. Go. Go.

By the time Chloe returned with her tea, Olivia had opened a file folder and spread stacks of paper across the small table. More papers were tucked into the chair beside her thigh. Others poked out of her briefcase on the floor.

Okay, here’s the plan. I’ve got files and lists and a spreadsheet timeline of what you need to do between now and interview day. Would you please sit down already instead of standing there with your mouth open? We’ve got lots to do, ordered Olivia.

Hold on one sec. A few hours ago you thought Thomas A. was da man and now, suddenly you’ve hatched a multi-page strategy for me.

For the record, I never said TAW was da man. I said he was the likely choice...just the sort of person bureaucrats are famous for picking. That was before I knew you were in the running.

I’ve had some time to think about your underwhelming reaction this afternoon. Why don’t you go for it? You’re three years older than me and we know they value maturity. You’ve been there a full two years longer than me...hell, you did part of my training. You should be the one applying, countered Chloe, eager to reclaim her best friend forever status.

Come on, Chlo you know I live for the numbers end of it---accounts payable, accounts receivable. I can’t deal with all the staff stuff, do media interviews, schmooze donors like the master over here, as her arm swept to take in every bit of Chloe’s petite frame. As for my reaction, forget it. I had stuff on my mind and besides I didn’t know you were pumped about a management position.

I don’t think about it as management. I just think some enlightened leadership would allow us to help more families. Besides, you’re selling yourself short. You know NADS’ business inside and out. You’d be a natural.

The narrowing of Olivia’s eyes and the tightening around her mouth signalled an end to the discussion. Nothing short of explosives would move her now. Chloe slumped into the leather tub chair, clamped a hand over her mouth and let Olivia once again have the floor.

As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I have a plan. A fail-safe, idiot-proof plan that will make hiring you the no-brainer decision of the year. The agency would be blessed to have you at the top. Puncturing Thomas A.’s over-inflated ego once and for all would just be gravy.

Hey, Liv, don’t be so hard on Thomas. He can’t help it he knows absolutely everything about everything. The original ‘been there-done that’ guy who tries ever so patiently to explain things to the dull-witted women he’s surrounded by. It can’t be easy going through life with a scowl on your face and a broom up your butt. I’ve honestly never met a Thomas who wouldn’t, just for the sake of fitting in, say ‘Please, just Tom. Mum’s the only one who calls me Thomas.’ No, not our guy. Came to us, what six months ago, from down East and thinks he has to re-build our agency from the ground up because we’re so backward in Edmonton. What an ass....

Hey kid, don’t hold back, tell me how you really feel, laughed Olivia. This spark, this anger, this resentment can help your cause if you don’t lose focus. You got to channel that energy to cutting the little twerp down to size.

Okay, great one, lay out your plan. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Finally! In my hot little hand is a master to-do list. 1. Update resume highlighting things like revamping the policy manual; raising $450,000 at last year’s gala; recruiting, training and recognizing thirty new volunteers plus all your regular day-to-day duties 2. Write a kick-ass cover letter 3. Shop for a sexy, new outfit for the interview. 4. Get some high profile people to write letters of recommendation and act as references. 5. Do a feng shui cleansing of your office, concluded Olivia as she stopped to catch her breath.

Whoa, girl, that’s a lot.

Ahh, just the start, my lovely. I printed out your Chinese horoscope for the year with the romance and career sections highlighted. Are you still getting your Dog horoscope sent to your inbox each day? You do remember this is the year of the Ox, right?

Chloe nodded. Long before meeting Olivia she’d grown to love all things Asian. She believed in Traditional Chinese Medicine and consulted her own practitioner when she felt the need. Even though feng shui was no longer the hot fad of the 1990’s Chloe got hooked when she moved into her own first apartment. She continued to study this ancient art of placement. Her amateur status hadn’t stopped her from arranging her condo and office as auspiciously as she could.

Her Western zodiac sign was Pisces but she felt more authentic living her life as a Dog in the ancient Chinese tradition. Today’s horoscope warned against venting to her boss. Well, duh. Past attempts always got shut down. Getting to the top of the organization---the decision-making command centre---was the best reason for going for it.

Yoo-hoo, earth to Chloe. You just zoned out. What gives?

Just thinking. Olivia caught the set of Chloe’s jaw. She recognized the steely resolve in her friend’s face and hoped her stubbornness would pay off this time. I will go for it. So sign me up, Liv. I’ll do whatever it takes.

That’s my girl. I’m glad you added that last bit cuz you may not like what I have to say next.

Chloe’s eyes darkened as she braced herself for what her friend was about to say.

Olivia reached across the table and gently squeezed Chloe’s hand. Her eyes searched Chloe’s face for any clue that at long last she was ready to hear what needed to be said. She looked so small and vulnerable, out of her element; far more used to giving advice than receiving it. In typical Dog fashion she was usually the one providing the strong shoulder, willing ear and wise counsel borne of genuine concern. The one person in the office or circle of friends who knows everything about you and your life but has revealed surprisingly little about herself---that was Chloe distilled.

Look Liv, I know what you’re going to say. My pathetic personal life has absolutely nothing to do with some lousy job competition. For the hundredth time I don’t want to talk about my dad or Duane or your theories about unresolved male abandonment issues. Just because I didn’t fall totally apart or go to therapy for years doesn’t mean I haven’t grieved, healed, moved on.

Moved on? Who are you trying to kid? The girl who hasn’t had a date or even a coffee with a man in the last two years has moved on? The girl who doesn’t speak to her only sibling and avoids her mother as much as she can get away with has moved on? The girl who hasn’t seen a counsellor, attended a support group or ever cried in front of her best friend has moved on? Geez, Chloe. Moved on? This is me you’re talking to.

Do have any idea how hard this is for me? Look, I will not cry or open a vein here at Starbucks, but I am willing to hear you out. What do you have in mind?

You’re easily the best candidate for the job. Our mission over the next few weeks is to convince the hiring committee. But I also believe some of the---forgive me for saying it---but some of the baggage you’re dragging around with you every day is going to ruin your chances at landing the job unless...

Unless what? whispered Chloe.

"Unless you get some help,