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,

wears glasses. "I'm Ben," the one with glasses offers, turning up the wattage

out to shake my hand. He has a wedding ring.

Ah, they're family.

Selene gives them both a quick once-over, yawns,

like you're dogs a bit of a couch potato,"

I look closer, I can see that Selene's got her paws on the remote. I can see how that's amusing; the idea of a dog who watches TV would make me laugh,

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

Alphahole Lucas Westwood has ruined me for

we glance through a few of the boxes to figure out how many shelves

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

rid of

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

assesses the living room walls. "Alright, so if we put the tall shelves against

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

We'll 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.

daunting task, but there's something satisfying about handling each book,

in a blur of measuring, drilling, and sorting. Selene dozes on

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

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