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“...isn’t that impossible…and…ward…”

“Not always…”

Mila was impossibly curious about what they were talking about. Why would they talk about a “pure human?” Did these people think there were aliens walking around pretending to be people?

She didn’t feel threatened but debated about leaving. It was obvious this place wasn’t big enough to have a kitchen so there was no chance for a job. Even though she was still thirsty, she wasn’t sure she could trust any drink from them not to have some kind of drug in it!

Still, she desperately wanted to know what this nice, pretty woman and the handsome man were talking about. If she stayed, maybe she could find out what secrets they were sharing.

Then they stopped whispering and started kissing. Damn! They put most of the books on her phone app to shame.

Realizing she was watching the couple like a creeper, Mila turned to leave. She was almost out the door when Rissa called out to her.

“Wait, why are you leaving?” She sounded so hurt and confused that it made Mila feel guilty.

She turned around to find Rissa perched on the bartop facing Mila with the bartender’s arms wrapped around her and his chin resting on her shoulder.

“Um, well, you were busy and, I um,” Mila searched for a polite way to point out that it was weird for her to stay while they were tongue wrestling.

“We were being rude, of course she was going to leave,” the guy said, giving Rissa a little kiss on the neck before lifting his head away from her and addressing Mila.

“I’m sorry. We were a little rude, but not on purpose.

I don’t need to hire anyone, but you’re welcome to sit down and have a drink or two. ”

“No, I think I’ll just…” Mila started to say, edging out the door. She stopped talking when Rissa’s expression turned determined.

“No charge,” Rissa said. “I have to go back next door, but I’d feel better if you sat down for a bit. Your face is really red.”

Mila didn’t think it was the sun causing all the red but nodded her head. “I guess a glass of water would be nice.”

“Flat or bubbly?” the bartender asked, looking delighted as he straightened from Rissa. “My name’s Zander.”

“Hi Zander, I’m Mila. Tap water is fine,” she answered, then wanted to smack herself. Hadn’t she just been worried about being drugged? A sealed bottle would’ve been safe, but an open glass wasn’t.

“Oh no,” he said with a shake of his head. “Only the best for Rissa’s new friend. If you won’t let me fix you a signature drink, then at least let me serve you some fancy water.”

“You guys chat,” Rissa said, giving the guy an approving glance as she jumped off the counter. “I’m going to grab the leftover pizza from last night for Linda’s kids. I’ll be back in about an hour. Plenty of time to help before opening.”

That made Mila wince. “I really don’t need the water. I’m so sorry about walking in when you’re closed.”

Zander gave her a wide, friendly smile. “I love having an excuse to keep from doing the stuff I don’t like.” He pointed to the bar stool Rissa had moved aside to get up on the bartop. “Have a seat.”

It half sounded like an order, and Mila found herself sitting down before she realized it. No sooner was she sitting than Rissa was back in the room with a plate piled high with pizza slices in one hand and a couple of cans of soda in the other.

“Love you!” she called out as she rushed out the door.

“Love you more!” Zander shouted with a laugh, then gave a regretful shake of his head. “Darn, I was hoping to have that for a snack later. I guess I’ll need to order more. Rissa is always giving away our food.”

“She’s a kind soul,” Mila observed.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Zander answered fondly.

“Now, let’s get you some fancy people water!

” He leaned over and pulled out several bottles and lined them up on the counter.

“I keep these in stock, but I don’t get asked for them very often.

Let’s try them and see if we can taste any differences! ”

Then he noticed Babette panting in her arms. “Oh sweetie, you need some refreshment also.”

He rooted around and found a small bowl he filled from the tap, then set it on the counter within reach of the small dog. Babette lapped up the water until most of it was gone, making Mila feel terribly guilty. She should’ve gotten the dog something to drink sooner.

There was so much she was doing wrong. Babette didn't have a collar or leash. She didn’t even have proper dog food, only the cereal they’d both eaten dry for breakfast and lunch today.

What about vaccines and a checkup? She knew from her parents that if dogs didn’t get the proper care when they were young it could have lifetime consequences. Could she be causing Babette’s premature death right now?

Sudden despair washed over her, and she cuddled the dog tightly to her chest. What was she thinking? She needed to take the dog to a shelter. She couldn’t even look after herself, let alone little, defenseless Babette.

“Hey,” Zander said, drawing her attention up from the almost empty bowl of water to the handsome bartender’s comforting face. “Whatever you’re thinking right now is wrong.”

She blinked up at him, fighting back tears. “I’m worthless.” Shocked that she’d said that to a stranger, she buried her face in Babette’s soft fur. The dog gave a little whine and wiggled until she could lick Mila’s face.

“If you met Rissa next door it means you’re having a tough time right now,” Zander said.

“That’s not a reflection of your worth. Anyone can end up struggling.

It only takes one bad moment. Lots of times, you don’t even have control over that moment.

Then you end up in a place that’s nearly impossible to recover from. ”

“I was really dumb,” Mila admitted in a whisper.

To her surprise Zander snorted. “Who isn’t? Even the smartest people I know are dumb in some way. I once heard that Albert Einstein couldn’t drive a car. He said it was too complicated. I can’t remember my left from my right. Welcome to the club that includes every damn person on earth.”

A laugh forced its way out of Mila’s tight throat. “That’s a big club.”

“That’s why we don’t have a flag yet, no one can agree,” Zander said with a chuckle. He pulled two glasses out and opened the first bottle. “Let’s see how the French do their water. Do you think it’ll taste like disdain?”

Mila took a glass and sipped the perfectly ordinary water from the pretty glass bottle. “I taste elegance with only a hint of contempt.”

Zander laughed. “Good one.”

As she finished the water, Zander refilled Babette’s water, then pulled out another bowl and filled it with a nut mix from a giant container.

“We can’t taste all these waters without a salty palate cleanser,” he explained, putting the overfull bowl between them.

Then he looked at Babette with a little frown.

Before Mila could ask if he wanted the dog to leave, he moved to the end of the counter and came back with a small bag of dog treats.

“I’d forgotten my buddy Titan left these the last time he was here!” Opening the bag, he offered Babette a treat. She sniffed it cautiously, then gently took it from his hand and ate it with delicate greed.

“Palate cleansers for all of us,” Zander declared with a wide grin and handed her the bag.

They ate and chatted, and Mila soon felt like she’d known Zander for years.

The man was open, friendly, and loved talking.

It turned out he was in a throuple with Rissa and another man named Anatoly.

Mila was fascinated. Uncommon pairings were rare in Tea, and she wanted to know all about these three.

Zander assured her it was a common arrangement among his friends.

Maybe if she could get a job and a home, she could eventually be one of those friends!