Page 5 of A Hutch for Hoover

There was no way she was paying, but I didn’t argue. I’d charge her a reduced amount for her in-laws and her mate, but hers? Not a dime. “We do, with a touch of lime? We can leave it out, if you don’t want it.”

“Lime is perfect.”

Two minutes later, Ronny, the counter person, set our drinks in front of us.

“In glass?”

“Would you rather a to-go cup?” Ronny looked like he was about to cry, poor kid. “I thought—”

“No. I love that you use real glassware when you can.” Karma took a sip. “Best thing I’ve had in forever.”

His demeanor changed, like sunlight coming from behind clouds. “Really? I’d have said it was your Cosmic Margaritas at Animals.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest?” She smiled, and Ronny, who I’d have described as a grouchy young adult most of the time, floated back to the blender bank, his feet barely touching the floor. Not that unusual for a hawk shifter but not in this form.

“You’ve got a fan,” I told her. “He’s mentioned your club a few times, and I’ve been wanting to come and thank you in person for your help. Although I have no idea how you managed to do it without even knowing me.”

“Well, I’m glad to meet you now because we have an event coming up called Community Days, and I wanted to surprise my mate with a smoothie booth. And of course it has to be the ‘world’s best.’”

Wow, that review got a lot of play.

“I’d be honored to do anything at Animals.”

“I’m sure getting your business off the ground has made it hard to meet other business owners and network. Plus, it’s a way to get you there to visit with us all.” She finished her smoothie and stood to take the glass to the counter.

“I’ll do that.”

She held the glass out of my reach. “No, the sign says to bus your own dishes.” I would tear that sign down as soon as she left. “And I think it’s a good policy for people to show a little respectfor a nice atmosphere and delicious drinks.” Maybe I wouldn’t tear it down.

After she left, Ronny was bubbling with excitement over the encounter, and I couldn’t blame him. Karma was a force of nature, and everything looked brighter after a few minutes in her presence.

I set my empty on the counter as well. “Hey, Ronny? What is Karma?”

“It’s when what goes around comes around.” He washed the two and put them on the rack to dry, but his giggle told me he was teasing. “I know what you mean. Karma is human, in theory, but everyone thinks she’s more.”

Everyone including me.

Chapter Five

Hoover

I hopped around the apartment, trying to sate my rabbit. He was having none of it, wanting to be outside, feeling the fresh air, and enjoying the ground under his feet, not jumping around on crappy laminate flooring in a shoebox-sized apartment that smelled of the trash dumpster outside our window.

Finally, I gave up, shifting back and throwing on some clothes. “Fine. We’ll go outside, maybe walk around and get some fresh air, but that’s the best I can do.”

It wasn’t enough for him, but I didn’t have any other options. We weren’t safe shifting alone here. That was all there was to it.

I walked down the stairs and straight outside, the sun high in the sky. Living in this climate took some getting used to, but I was enjoying that part of life here.

Down the road a few blocks was a convenience store, and I found myself going there far too often. Today, to grab a slushie. I’d been drinking so many of them lately. They were delicious, but not what anyone would call nutritious or even close.

I dawdled all the way home and, when I arrived, a man, shifter by his scent, who I didn’t recognize, was walking up the stairs with a huge box in his arms. I raced ahead of him to open the door.

“Here you go.” I’d moved in alone, and the door wasn’t the easiest to open when you were holding nothing. It would’ve been impossible with the load he carried.

“Thanks.” He turned sideways to get in. “I hadn’t thought about the door when I decided to unload my truck.”

“Unload? Does that mean you’re new—my new neighbor?”

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