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Cinnamon

Ruff !

My face is lathered in wet.

My dreams transport me to a car wash, except I’m walking through it face first.

Bark! Bark!

My rational mind comes into full focus.

“Beanie!” I cry out, opening my eyes.

“Cin!” Olive twists next to me. “Make it stop.”

Beanie is on my chest, wiggling away above me.

“I’m going to take her out, and then I have another job today. They want to do earlier. I guess brunch?”

“Jeez, do you ever get a break?” Olive cracks, plucking Beanie onto her. “You can leave the cute dog with me until the slutty glasses detective returns. I’ll walk her too, just go off and make that money.”

“You’re the best.” I get up, throw on my chef coat, and stuff my phone inside.

“I still can’t believe how many men you have been keeping from me,” she chastises, getting up and plucking Beanie off my chest. “And the hotty at the restaurant? Pick any of them over Orzo.”

My face heats.

Last night we stayed up too late after walking and feeding Beanie. Just catching up on life and my excursions and going into full detail on all the ways Durian sucked.

She fell asleep first, and I was able to check my laptop. Imagine my surprise to find another job rearing to go.

I still don’t understand why they would overpay me by so much. It would take thousands of meals to catch up. Olive can’t be right.

And it’s weird I’m meeting at Gumbeaux.

But I guess maybe Reuben rents it out?

I offer Beanie a few more pets before Olive secures her in air jail. “Go on, get ready. I’ll stick around here and see you later. Let me know when the detective is ready for his dog back.”

She pecks my cheek and then is out the door, a squirming Beanie in tow.

I take a few beats, and then I get ready and motivated.

Grabbing my phone off the counter, I put it in my back pocket and head to my next job.

***

I’m the first to arrive, and I head to the alley to enter the same way as before.

Last time I was here, I didn’t get to explore, so I take my time walking through the kitchen.

The pantry. The multiple coolers.

Oh there’s steamed crawfish! I’ll make a crawfish quiche.

Inspiration in mind, I get into the zone and set my bag on a counter behind me. I immediately begin chopping away at mushrooms, onions, and sweet bell peppers.

Ring!