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

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

with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious

scratches are gone.”

slow, meandering sort of way. People ebb and flow in a familiar pattern, and I’m surrounded by the scent of books and coffee. I don’t think I’ve ever felt peace like I do here,

business is slow, Carlos regales me

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

Which, yes, is a cringe level of melodramatic, but it’s how I feel

soul.

250

Ava: Husky

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

a little bit of a masochist for

has me flip the sign on the door to ‘Closed‘ as he counts out the register, his fingers flying faster than I would have ever thought possible when

is still out there?”

staring at me, with her nose pushed against 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

14:40 –

3/6

Ava Husky (1)

yard near us, just a tiny square with a well–groomed tree

everywhere in my apartment. I’ve made little headway in trying to clean and organize

little jingle as he finishes up with the money. “She’s waiting for you.”

roll my eyes. “Why would she be waiting for

sneaking her treats all day? She

scarfing down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them