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

just how you like it. Go take a break with that dog out there. Have you checked her

of the ultra sweet beverage and sighing in bliss. “No collar,” I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious for

scratches are gone.”

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

Carlos regales me with

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

soul.

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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

a little bit of

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

your furry friend is still out there?”

so eerily similar to my own, and I feel a

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square with a well–groomed tree

I’ve made little headway in trying to clean and organize everything, mainly because I’m taking every shift Mrs. Elkins

finishes up with the money. “She’s

would she be waiting for

been sneaking her treats all day? She probably thinks you’re going home

can’t help but laugh. It’s true, 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