Tangled

13 Ava: Husky (II)

Carlos‘ words bring me out of my little mini–funk, and I nod. “I need to make as much money as I can before the summer semester. I’m going to need money for tuition, books, miscellaneous fees, and then hopefully a car. Between rent and life necessities, I really need the overtime. I’m lucky Mrs. Elkins is even letting me

work this much.”

He nods, wiping down the counter as I replenish napkins in the dispenser. “She’s got a way about her.

Takes care of us all. Sometimes I wonder if she’s even making money off this place. We sell a lot of coffee, but not so many books.”

He’s not wrong; I’ve thought the same. My shoulders lift in a vague shrug, and I start cleaning off the end tables of newspapers, magazines, and books.

“I have no idea, but I can’t imagine she would run a business just to lose money.” I pause, thinking of the sweet old lady and how she treats every customer who enters her shop like family. “Would she?”

“Wouldn’t put it past her.” Carlos puts together a sinful

14:40 –

176

13 Ava: Husky (1)

cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

and slides it toward me with a wink. “Here, just how you like it. Go take a break with that dog out

collar,” I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious for running away. I’m sure she’ll wander her way

scratches are gone.”

the scent of books and

is slow, Carlos regales me with

been begging me to open up my own profile, but

of peace on earth. Which, yes, is a cringe level of melodramatic, but it’s

soul.

250

Ava: Husky

door. It takes little time to wipe down the last of the tables, gathering stray cups and napkins and tossing them into the trash. I’m exhausted from the double shift, but it’s the kind of tired that burrows deep into your bones and says you’ve worked hard. Like your body’s proud of

maybe I’m a little bit of a masochist

to ‘Closed‘ as he counts out the register, his fingers flying faster than I would have ever thought possible when

furry friend is still out

against it. Once again I’m struck by those eyes so eerily similar to my own, and I feel a bizarre tug in my chest. I

14:40 –

3/6

Husky

us, just a tiny square with a well–groomed tree popping out of

think of the boxes everywhere in my apartment. I’ve made little headway in trying to clean and organize everything, mainly because

jingle as he finishes up

roll my eyes. “Why would she be

day? She probably thinks you’re

She’s been scarfing down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them her way. What can I say? I have a soft spot for animals.