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 –

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13 Ava: Husky (1)

cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

“Here, just how you like it. Go take a break with that dog

confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious for

scratches are gone.”

surrounded by the scent of books and coffee. I don’t think I’ve

business is slow, Carlos regales

drama he reads on his social media news feeds. He’s been begging me to open up my own profile, but I

last bastion of peace on earth. Which, yes, is a cringe level of melodramatic, but it’s how I feel

soul.

250

Husky (0)

the sidewalk in front of our door. It takes little time to wipe down the last of the tables, gathering stray cups and

maybe I’m a little bit of a masochist for thinking that

the register, his fingers flying faster than

is

the glass, her pants leaving a foggy haze 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 want to take her home, but that doesn’t seem intelligent. I live in a tiny apartment above a store. I’m not even sure where she’s

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3/6

Husky

us, just a tiny square with a well–groomed tree popping out of it in the middle of the

in my apartment. I’ve made little headway in trying

he finishes up with

would she be waiting for me?”

her treats all day?

down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them her way. What