Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 17

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.

shelves," I say,

and the other wears glasses. "I'm Ben,"

supplies, reaching out to shake my hand. He has a wedding ring. The other doesn't. "My wife is

Ah, they're family.

step back to invite them in. Selene gives them both

a bit of a couch

on the remote. I can see how

part of me reacts to that lightly flirtatious laugh or the interested

Westwood has

in my sternum, we glance through a few

are at least fifteen boxes of books, and—as it turns out—I don't feel like parting

gets rid

well-worn. Others are brand new, probably old

down some numbers as he assesses the living room walls. "Alright, so if we put the tall shelves against this wall, we can probably fit the

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

chimes in, "Oh, don't worry about that. We'll make sure they're anchored well. Wouldn't want any accidents." He flashes me a friendly smile, but it

work, I sort through the boxes, organizing the books by genre. It's a daunting task, but there's something

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

simmers under my skin. But there's a buzzing in my veins, a sense of purpose

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