( the next time august comes into work, an envelope sticks out invitingly from one of the shelves alina has watched him frequent, pressed between the pages of a book like well-preserved flowers — playing peekaboo, like she's predicted he'll come and find it. inside, there's a simple letter in girly, artsy scrawl:
delivery pt 2.
August,
Definitely a worthy bribe. You've surpassed expectations.
Thank you.
☼ Alina
one more surprise sits tucked away in the corner of the envelope, waiting — a tiny little keychain to match his overcast moods. )