Page 3 of Double Delivery
I was beginning to think it was going to be one of those days when I pulled onto a cul-de-sac and spotted him turning around at the end.
The second thing I noticed was the moving van parked in front of a house, forcing me to wait for Axel to pass before I could get to my delivery location. I took a moment to glance at the people moving boxes and furniture, and spotted a cute omega seemingly directing the moving crew where to go.
I hoped he was the homeowner—I wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Even from the road, his brown hair looked soft, and his glasses made him look adorable.
Just my type.
Bright orange caught my attention from the corner of my eye, and I instinctively turned to give Axel a one-finger salute, which he immediately returned with a grin.
I laughed and shook my head, then maneuvered around the moving van and parked in front of my destination.
One happy customer later, and I was strolling back to my truck when I glanced over at the house with the moving van again.
I imagined myself flirting with the cute omega when I was finally given a package to deliver when he happened to be home.
But for some reason, Axel was also in my daydream. And… I wasn’t mad about it.
I shook my head and climbed back into my truck. I had a few more residential deliveries to make, then it was time to head back to select businesses to pick up outbound packages.
Assuming the cute omega was the resident, there would be time to meet him.
Chapter 3 - Ollie
Moving was exhausting, even with professional help.
It didn’t help matters that the moving company’s truck had been delayed—causing me to sleep on the floor for two nights—and now they were on my ass to get everything unloaded that day since the crew was expected on another job the next.
Had I caused the delay? No. But, apparently, it was my job to reschedule important appointments I’d had in order to accommodate their—now tight—schedule.
My consolation prize was that I’d be able to sleep in my bed that night, instead of on an air mattress that I suspected had a slow leak.
Workers’ voices came from inside as the guys on furniture duty assembled and placed the larger items. Meanwhile, I stood on the lawn near the truck, ready to answer questions about which boxes went where.
Moving homes was hard enough, but I was also moving my business, which included any stock left over after my flash sale. That meant that in addition to the usual boxes marked ‘bedroom’ or ‘kitchen,’ I also had labels such as ‘NB-CB-01’ or ‘S-AST-03.’
The movers had figured out that most of my stock labels were going into the storage section of my garage, but they still had enough questions that I didn’t feel I could leave them to deal with it on their own, either.
I ran through my to-do list in my head as I watched them work. My priority was getting everything legal so I could resume business. That meant getting my business license and tax information. I’d need to find an accountant and migrate all my shipping accounts to reflect my new address.
After that, I’d be able to bring in stock that I put on hold for the move—especially my Christmas designs. Any other year, I would already have them on hand and ready for the holiday season.
September was definitely the wrong time of year for a small business to move.
A familiar rumble caught my attention, and I looked up to see an orange DRU truck pull onto the cul-de-sac. The driver made his way around the moving van and stopped at a house in the circle.
“Mr. Planche?” one of the movers asked.
“Yes?” I replied, returning my attention to the task at hand.
“Where do you want these? They’re labeled ‘printing errors.’”
I blew out a long breath. “In the storage area, on the wall opposite the other stock, if possible.”
The man nodded and wheeled his hand truck into the garage.
Another rumble sounded. At first, I thought it was the DRU truck leaving, then realized I was hearing it in stereo. I glanced at the intersection to see a bright green ShipUS truck pulling onto the street, just as the DRU truck started moving on the other side.
I blinked and wondered how often the deliveries were so close. It would make my life easier if I knew I had mornings free.
