We’re trying our best to stay ahead of ordering because the enamel pins will take a while to manufacture; for now, please enjoy these merchandise previews!! We’re so excited to get them to our supporters!

Would you like another taste of this train wreck???

Of course you would!

——————

“I can’t believe we ran into that guy again,” Lisa said when they got back to the van. “Small world, huh?” She clicked on her seat belt.

Ash slumped into their seat and did the same. “Yeah, and he has a kid, which means he’s probably married.” They threw their feet on top of the dash and blew out a puff of air. “Just my luck.”

“Your luck was saving his kid, giving you total home wrecker opportunity—”

“Lisa!”

She shrugged and turned on the engine. “I’m just saying! It’s a matter of perspective.” Lisa grinned. “And while you were busy fussing over him and his kid…” She sang, “I didn’t see a riiiing!”

Ash slapped her arm. “Stop it! Stop giving me hope!”

She laughed as she got the van back onto the rode.

“And — And!” Ash protested. “Once again, I’ll never see him again!”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Lisa said. “Check your pocket.”

“My pocket?” Ash put a hand in both pockets of their jacket. Their face scrunched up as their left hand felt a piece of paper. They pulled it out and stared at it. They read the words once. And then again. “‘Coward’?”

Lisa barked out a laugh. “That’s what she gave you?! I thought it was his phone number!”

“Huh?”

“The kid slipped that to you.” Lisa glanced at him, grinning wide. “I’m going to guess he’s not married.”

Ash scowled at the paper. “Phone number would have been more helpful.”

——————

I would like it stated for the record that Corinne’s exact words regarding the paper are: “It wasn’t an invitation! It was a threat.”

Braving Corinne preview

Okaaaay so I can’t help myself from being hyped about my new work. So enjoy just a teeny tiny preview that introduces our major characters… I have created a tag for this work, which is tentatively titled Braving Corinne, so you can follow it for more updates!

********************

Ezra Bennant loved kids and certainty. As anyone who has ever met a child knows, those things do not go together. Staring one particular girl down from his kitchen, Ezra began to reassess his life. Maybe he didn’t like allkids; maybe just the ones under ten.

Or maybe just not this one.

The one he was now sole guardian over.

And whose life was also going to be totally ruined with him as a parent— He quickly shoved the thought down along with his nausea. Throwing on his best teacher smile, which spread more as a strained and desperate grimace, he asked, “Corinne, why aren’t you dressed?”

“I’m not going to school,” she said.

“You have to go to school.” Ezra took a deep breath and braced himself. You can do this. You’ve been in charge of kids for years, just not ones who live in your house. His hands fiddled with the strap of his bag. The fabric felt as worn as he felt. “Please go get dressed. We’re going.”

Corinne raised a brow. Her eyes stared right through him, securing her victory. “No. I’m not.” With that, she returned to her room and slammed it shut tight.

Ezra winced at the sound, shoulders crumbling together in defeat. He took another shaky breath. “Oh,” he said. “Okay.”

He made it all the way to the car before he cried.

***

Across town, Ash Douglas was throwing clothes after clothes atop their bed. It was school trip day and they wanted to make a good impression — on the kids, obviously. They loved the days they brought animals to schools. The way all their small eyes would light up with interest and awe was simply the best. And when they could convince a nervous child to pet something they’d been afraid of? Even better.

They pulled on a long-sleeved rainbow striped tee and regretfully topped it with a dull tan vest sporting the Russel Grove Animal Rescue logo. They refused to do the entire safari inspired garb if they didn’t have to. It was one thing to be forced to bare their knobby knees as a small, skinny potato in front of the animals and something entirely else to do it in front of people. They had a vibe to express, thank you very much.

Matching their shirt with their most colorful shoes, they grabbed their keys and wallet and headed for the door. An angry meow followed behind them. Ash grinned and glanced back to their favorite black feline.

“I already fed you, Fudge,” Ash said. “You know that.”

Fudge protested.

“It’s an early day for me. Just a morning show and tell and then the rest of the afternoon off,” Ash answered. “Then all the pets you want. Promise.”

Fudge’s meows fell into more of a grumble as the cat stalked off to curl up on the couch.

Ash sighed. “You’re such a dramatic thing.”

Fudge’s eyes sparked wide as he let out a long drawn out meow.

“Dramatic,” Ash repeated, leaving their apartment and locking the door.