Page 156 of Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

“There’s my guy,” I said, bending to kiss the top of his head. “Did you teach the puppies how to be normal?”

Avery snorted. “He taught them how to sit in judgment. Different skill.”

She was wearing black joggers, a cropped jacket, and combat boots. Socko stood at her side, golden and serene, gazing at pedestrians hoping one might drop a sandwich.

“How was law hell?” Avery asked.

“Litigious.”

“Love when places stay on brand.”

“We’re filing.”

“Ooh.” Her eyes sharpened. “Big day?”

“Big exhausting day.” I adjusted my tote. “Hot dogs?”

Max’s head lifted.

Avery looked down at him. “You said the magic words.”

The cart was two blocks away, tucked near the corner where office workers and construction guys overlapped just enough to keep the vendor in business.

Tonight, Mr. Alvarez was missing from the cart, and his niece Elena was working in his place.

I slowed. “Where’s your uncle? Is he okay?”

Elena looked up from loading onions onto a hot dog and smiled. “Twisted his foot helping my aunt move a couch.”

“Oh no.”

“He’ll live. He’s mostly mad because the couch won.”

Avery leaned an elbow on the cart. “I respect any furniture that fights back.”

“Elena, this is Avery,” I said. “Avery, Elena. Elena is responsible for at least thirty percent of Max’s unrealistic hotdog expectations.”

Max sat beside me, perfectly polite.

Elena looked down at him. “Uncle said he gets one plain.”

“He gets half,” I said.

“He specifically said one.”

“Your uncle is a bad influence.”

“He also said if I didn’t give it to you on the house, he’d know.”

My throat tightened unexpectedly. “No, that’s okay. I can pay.”

Elena gave me a look. “He said on the house.”

Avery took the paper tray before I could argue. “Thank you. We accept kindness in this family.”

“We do?” I asked.

“We’re practicing.”