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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cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

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

I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are

scratches are gone.”

and I’m surrounded by the scent of books and coffee.

slow, Carlos regales

he reads on his social media news feeds. He’s been begging me to open up

this last bastion of peace on earth. Which, yes,

soul.

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Ava: Husky (0)

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 you for what you’ve

of a masochist for thinking that way.

sign on the door to ‘Closed‘ as he counts out the register, his fingers flying faster than I

your furry friend is

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.

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

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

finishes up with the

roll my eyes. “Why would she be waiting for me?”

because you’ve been sneaking her treats all day?

whenever I had a chance to toss them her way. What can I say? I have a soft spot