Page 21 of Into the Mountains
“I wasn’t going to ask that, but that’s not a bad idea actually so when I’m at school, Sable will have a friend to play with and she won’t get lonely.”
Elias has to have known he walked right into that one. He glances at me, looking for help. “I’ve read that cats do better when they have friends in the house. Definitely recommend getting another one soon.”
If looks could kill, I’d be dead and Elias would be the number one suspect.
“What’s the one condition, kiddo?” he asks, ignoring me.
“Stop calling me kiddo.”
CHAPTER TEN
CHARLOTTE
Today is the day. I need coffee. Lots of coffee.
“So, where are you meeting?”
“At his house.”
Avery’s eyebrows raise repeatedly in a suggestive manner. “His house?”
“Okay, one,” I say, holding up one finger. “Ethan is going to be there.” We move up in line and I will it to go faster. Elias wanted to meet ridiculously early to start on plans for the clinic expansion and my coffee maker decided to sabotage my morning and break down at the precise time I was most desperate for caffeine. I could have gone out to replace it, but that would have meant a detour to another store, then back home, then to Elias’s house. Too many places so early in the morning. So, naturally, I begged Avery to come with me to get coffee atBooks & Beans. Plus, she knows what Elias and Ethan like so I can get something for them too. Not that I want to get Elias coffee for a gesture or anything, but I hate showing up empty handed to someone’s house. Especially when they just moved in two days ago.
“And two,” I hold up a second finger. “Don’t even go there, okay? Because that’ll never happen. I told you the story.”
“You did, but—”
“No buts.” And thankfully there are none because it’s our turn to order. Avery orders her usual peppermint latte, and adds Elias and Ethan’s order.
Fran looks over at me, “You want your usual, dear?”
“Yes, but can you add another shot?”
Fran’s eyes widen in concern. “Are you sure? Your usual already has quite a bit of espresso in it. Adding another might cause a heart attack,” she jokes.
“Honestly, I’d take a heart attack right about n—ow!” Avery stomps on my foot hard enough to make me stop talking. Once Fran starts our drinks, we move away so the people behind us can order.
“What the fuck, Ave?”
“Charlotte, you’ve got to get out of your hole and learn more about the people in this town,” she whispers fiercely.
“Okay, but what does that have to do with you stomping on my foot? That seriously hurt. I think you broke one of my toes.”
She waves me off. “I did not. You’re just being dramatic. I wanted you to stop talking.”
“Yeah, I got that message, you bitch. You could have maybe just nudged me and said, stop talking.”
“Well, I needed you to shut up quicker.”
“You want to explain why?”
“Because her husband died of a heart attack.”
I swear to god, the number of times I hear died, dead, or death…or heart attack, I’m going to start taking shots. “Fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, she started the joke.”
