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

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cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

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

and sighing in bliss. “No collar,” I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies

scratches are gone.”

day passes in a 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

slow, Carlos regales me

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

Which, yes,

soul.

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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 done.

bit of a masochist for thinking

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

friend is still out there?”

similar to my own, and I feel a bizarre tug in my chest. I want to take

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tiny square with a well–groomed tree popping out of it

the sink and think of the boxes everywhere in my apartment. I’ve made little

he finishes up with the money. “She’s waiting

“Why would she be waiting

day? She probably thinks you’re going

She’s been scarfing down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them her