Chapter 17 Ava: Settling In

Chapters 11-17 have been rewritten to improve story flow and pacing. [June 27, 2024]

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The men at the door look related. So related that I'd bet they're twins.

"Hi," the one on the left says, with a charming smile. They have close-cropped brown hair and twinkling brown eyes, with popular kid in high school written all over them. They have to be in their mid-twenties now, though.

"Hi," I respond, with some suspicion. Is this that legendary thing called solicitation? Are they here to sell me something?

If so, they're screwed. Selene got to my wallet first.

"Mrs. Elkins sent us," the guy on the right says, and I turn my gaze to him, relaxing a little.

"Oh?" Mrs. Elkins wouldn't just send someone without warning me.

Checking my phone, I see a missed text.

[MRS. ELKINS: Don't forget that Ben and Franklin are coming to help put up some shelves in the living room. You can send them away if you're not up to it.]

Oh, right. I vaguely recall some conversation like that last week. Probably something I should have added to my phone so I wouldn't be surprised at a time like this.

say, glancing

them smile. They're identical, though one's a little more burly and the other wears glasses. "I'm Ben," the one with glasses offers, turning

the other supplies, reaching out to shake my hand. He has a wedding ring.

Ah, they're family.

them in. Selene gives them

of a couch potato," Ben says with

can see how that's amusing; the

laugh or the interested

Alphahole Lucas Westwood has ruined me

few of the boxes to figure out how many shelves

of books, and—as it turns out—I don't feel like parting with any of

rid of

old and well-worn. Others are brand new, probably old overstock

walls. "Alright, so if we

"That works for me. I'm not picky, as

anchored well. Wouldn't want any accidents." He flashes me a

by genre. It's a daunting task, but there's something satisfying about handling each book, deciding where it belongs.

blur of measuring, drilling, and sorting. Selene dozes on the couch,

by my own energy, considering the fever still simmers under my skin. But there's a buzzing in my veins, a sense of purpose

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