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 back

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

reaching out to shake my hand. He has

Ah, they're family.

in. Selene gives them both a quick once-over, yawns, and jumps onto

bit of a couch

her paws on the remote. I can see how that's amusing; the idea of

part of me reacts to that lightly flirtatious laugh or the interested glances he sends my

Lucas Westwood has

through a few of

it

gets rid of

and well-worn. Others are brand new,

so if we put

impressed by his spatial awareness. "That works for me. I'm not picky, as long as they're sturdy

make sure they're anchored well. Wouldn't want any accidents." He flashes me a friendly smile, but it lacks the flirtatious edge from earlier. Seems he's picked up on

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

and sorting.

surprised by my own energy, considering the fever still simmers under my skin. But there's a

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