You are the Answer {boyxboy} ✓ (Dogs, Bats & Monkeys series, Book I | Riley)

Chapter 7

A/N: I seem to have gotten very attached to some of the characters in You are the Answer and I plan to write other stories with them and about their world. The ones I'm most keen on are:

• A short story from Rhys' POV (2018 Edit: Instead of doing this, I re-wrote You Are the Answer from Rhys' POV. The story is called We Are the Answer and is completed. You can find it on my profile.)

• A one-shot from Kennedy's POV which I might post as a bonus chapter in the story from Rhys' POV. (2018 Edit: I did post a chapter from Kennedy's POV in We Are the Answer and it can be read as a standalone one-shot.)

• A full-length book about Keri. (2018 Edit: I already wrote this and it's called Sentiments & Reason. It's completed and available on Wattpad.)

• A full-length book about Alec. (2018 Edit: As of April 2018, I 'm uploading this story on Wattpad. It's called Sweeter than Sweets.)

• A full-length book about Kennedy. (Coming to Wattpad once I'm done with Sweeter than Sweets.)

Would any of you be interested in reading these?

*****

It had taken me a couple of minutes of stunned silence, followed by Keri's laugh to snap out of my amazement. I shook my head as we'd walked into the Milk & Cream and I stood behind the bar, getting ready to begin with my duties for the day. It wasn't until I'd checked the coffee machines and took my apron that I spoke to her.

"So it is a common mistake?" I asked, tying the small apron around my waist. This woman – in her mid twenties at most – this pleasantly smiling woman, was the leader of the most feared gang around?

"Yes," she nodded and placed her hand over the bar, her fingers touching. "I guess I seem too innocent for people to assume that I might be in charge. I hope it's because I look too innocent and not because I am a woman."

"Hey, love," Winnie's figure was a blur as slapped me playfully on the butt when she passed behind me, a tray in her hand, only to disappear to the other end of the café. One of Keri's perfectly shaped eyebrows rose in a silent question.

"We are really good friends," I explained and she graced me with a silent nod. "So what are you having?" I asked, going in full work mode. Well, almost full; I was still too surprised by what she'd told me to manage one of my professional smiles.

"Lots of caffeine, cream and no sugar, thank you," she ordered, emphasizing the first word.

"Tough night, huh?" I turned around and grabbed a medium-sized mug before pouring in some of the desired brown liquid. "What do you want me to draw?" I asked, reaching for the cream. "A wolf?"

"Wolf?" She repeated. "Ah, yes, Rhys. How about something abstract for me?"

"Flowers?" I then suggested. Keri uttered 'will do' and I turned towards her, placing the mug on the bar. I took a spoon – one of my favorite tools around here – and began to gently dab it in and move it around the thick layer of cream that covered the coffee. It reminded me of when I was a child and I used to draw things in the freshly fallen snow. Back then, I used the contrast between the soil and snow; now, I did the same but I could add another color – a concoction of the two – by combining the coffee and cream.