"I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye." Blake wraps me in his arms from behind and nuzzles my neck.

Honestly, I don't know if I'm ready to go home. Covid aside, these past few weeks with Blake have been nice. My period started two days ago, and I'm relieved I'm not pregnant, but I already miss the volcanic sex. It's given us a chance to know each other though, and we've stayed up into the late hours of the night, talking about everything we can think of. I've learned Blake's favorite color is green, he likes racquet sports, and he gives a mean massage. He's also supportive and encouraging, constantly asking about my writing and other hobbies. Instead of looking through me to the next woman, he's the first man to see me.

I spin around and wrap my arms around his neck, standing on my toes to reach his mouth in a kiss. "I don't know about you," I say against his lips, "but I don't plan on breaking up any time soon. We can see each other as often as you like."

With his hand on the small of my back, he pulls me close until our hips touch. Then he brushes my hair back and tucks a lock behind my ear. His cerulean eyes glitter and his mouth lifts into a lopsided grin.

"Maybe it's wrong, but I'm glad we were quarantined together. You made a crappy situation more bearable."

"And you've given me confidence and support," I say, pressing my head into his chest. I don't think I'd have given up my querying, but that last rejection would have set me back at least a few months. And as for dating, I certainly wouldn't have sought anyone out for that. Until Blake, I've never been desirable, and I'm grateful beyond words for everything he's done.

"You did the hard part. I was only reminding you of your potential."

We break apart, but not before we kiss one more time. Then I retrieve all of my belongings that have found themselves scattered across his house, all except for those missing panties. I think he keeps them hidden to vex me. I haphazardly stuff my clothes into my bag and bring it to the living room where my laptop is.

I take a final look around and sigh. I miss my room and my cat, but I'll be sad to go after spending so much time with Blake. It's not like I won't come back, but staying with him was intimate and eye opening. We've formed a special bond, and I'm afraid that it'll somehow slip away the moment we go back to our daily lives.

"Are you alright?"

I nod and turn to Blake with a wry smile. "Yeah, it just feels strange leaving, that's all."

He takes my hand in his and kisses my palm, followed by my wrist. My heart flutters and my tummy does little somersaults at his touch. It's naive to think it'll always be this way, but I want to believe the feeling won't fade any time soon.

"I plan on bringing you over often." His eyes sparkle and his lips curve upward. His hand glides to my waist and he asks, "How long is your monthly?"

"Horny already?" I ask with a laugh.

He raises an eyebrow and pulls me against him, where I can feel the arousal in his shorts. "Does this answer your question?"

I blush and avert my eyes. I'm too mortified to admit that yes, it answers my question and yes, I'm equally turned on. Sadly, it will have to wait. I clear my throat. "There's always your hand?"

He laughs and releases me, picking up my bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "Don't worry, you're worth waiting for."

I hope so. Even though he's assured me countless times he's here to stay, the snide voice in the back of my head tells me it's too good to be true. Maybe it's the self-destructive side of me that worries it'll fall apart because sooner or later, everyone I care about leaves. I cast the thought aside though because I really want this to work.

We bring my things to his car and I settle into the passenger seat while he slides into the driver's side. He turns the ignition and the engine idles as he offers me a smile. "It's going to be quiet here without you. Is it too soon to say I'm sad to see you go?"

I beam at him and take his hand. "No. I feel the same way."

I leave the rest unsaid, and I have a feeling there's more he wants to add, but doesn't. Our relationship seems unconventional because it's too fast. Regardless of how older Disney movies portray princesses, I know this isn't a fairy tale. It's real life, and I'm smart enough to know love at first sight doesn't exist. Most relationships fail in the first seven years. Yet when I imagine us together, I see us happy, and that scares me as much as being alone. I didn't know what a healthy relationship looked like until now, and I'm afraid I'll sabotage myself and mess things up.

Blake squeezes my hand and releases it, pressing a button on his visor to open the garage door as he places the car in reverse. We drive in silence for a few minutes before he speaks again. "You know, I've never moved this fast with a woman. I know we should take it slow, but when I'm with you, all those thoughts go out the window."

Where is he going with this?

He continues when I don't respond. "Look, it's probably crazy, and I know how it sounds. I just want to say these past few weeks have been special. I'm glad I was able to share it with you."

That's something I can wholeheartedly agree with. I cast him a smile and turn back to the window. He's given me a lot to consider, and has opened the door to so many good possibilities. "Me too. It was fun."

The ride to my dad's house is over before I know it, and I climb out of the car. Dad's F-150 is parked in front of the house and I squint in the glaring sunlight against the side mirror, unaccustomed to it after spending several weeks inside. The heat is stifling, and already my body is covered in a light sheen of sweat from the baking sun. I take my bag and laptop, hoisting the straps over my shoulder. Blake is soon by my side, walking me to the front door across the overgrown lawn. Dad probably forgot to cut it again, and the itchy, dry grass brushes against my calves. The yards next door aren't much better, as there's no HOA to enforce outside maintenence. At least I can say there aren't beer cans littering the ground.

As I turn my key into the lock, Nova screams from inside, scratching at the wood. I laugh. "I guess she missed me." She bolts outside when I open the door, and she moves in figure eights between my legs. I scratch her ears before turning to Blake. Do you want to come inside for a minute?"

He nods, eyes filled with an indecipherable emotion. I step across the threshold and set my things down as I take in the room around me. The house is smaller than Blake's, and even though the front room isn't messy, it's cluttered, and the faded green paint, combined with the hardwood flooring, makes it seem homely in comparison. An old Pepsi vending machine and a slot machine Dad bought at an auction take up a good portion of space, and Blake eyes the vintage game with a smirk. "Nice. Last time I saw one of those was in a casino on the reservation."

"It cusses at you in Korean when you lose."

"No way."

"Way," I say with a giggle. "I play it sometimes when I'm bored. My dad buys stuff at auction, mostly to sell, but sometimes he finds a gem worth keeping. You should see the vinyls in the next room over."

Blake's head moves automatically into the space to our left, formerly a garage that Dad and Carmen converted into a den a few years back. Inside is a flatscreen tv, a mismatched recliner and sofa, and shelves of records, spanning one end of the wall to the other. I never counted, but there have to be at least a thousand in his collection. In boxes on the far wall is my dad's comic book collection from when he used to run a store with his best friend. My house is filled with the odd collector's item, and I'm pretty sure there's a Furby still in its original packaging somewhere upstairs.

"Kelly, is that you?" Dad's voice carries from the level downstairs, and footsteps soon echo as he treads up to the main level to greet me. His eyes flick to Blake before landing back on me. His gaze is full of curiosity, but first, he offers me a warm smile. "Hey, kiddo. All better?"

I nod. I suppose a normal family hugs, but he's never been overly affectionate, and there's still Covid to consider. "Yeah." I loop my arm through Blake's and introduce him. "This is my boyfriend, Blake."

Dad lifts a salt-flecked eyebrow, and his lip twitches as if he's amused. I secretly dread the exchange because there's no telling if Dad will be civilized or if he'll embarrass me. And sure enough, he doesn't disappoint.

He takes Blake's hand in a firm grip and says, "If you break her heart, I'll break your body and hide it in the desert."

"Dad," I warn, shooting him a glare. My face warms in embarrassment, and I'm rethinking my decision to invite Blake inside. I'd have had to bring him over eventually, but I hoped Dad could at least restrain himself.

Blake takes it in stride, releasing Dad's hand with a polite nod. "It's fine. Men naturally want to protect the women they care about. I'm that way with my cousin."

Oh right. That's probably the one I confused as his wife. It's nice that they care, but I don't need men beating their chest in a caveman fashion. I plant my hands on my hips to let them know I mean business. "Thank you, but I'm a big girl." Despite this declaration, I want to stick my tongue out at them.

Dad relaxes with a grin. "It's a father's prerogative to make his stance known. I'm not doing my job if I don't mess with your boyfriend."

"I can handle it," Blake says confidently. "I have no intention of hurting your daughter."

Dad narrows his eyes for a second before asking, "Do you like cars at all?"

Oh lord, not cars. Dad is obsessed with fixing them up. The proof is in our backyard -- there's a cherry red Mustang he's been fixing up for months. The hood is wide open, and tools tend to be scattered everywhere when he works on it. When he returns, he's usually covered in grease, and I often have to remind him to wash up before I allow him in the kitchen for dinner. At a second property in Gilbert, he has three more cars waiting for his attention.

And sure enough, Blake's face lights up as if Christmas came early. "I love them. I restored my Seventy-Three Honda CB last year after buying it from a couple whose dad left it to them."

When a wide grin plays across Dad's face, I repress the urge to roll my eyes and groan. Boys and their toys. A rock is more interesting to me than cars unless it's to get from Point A to Point B.

"We'll get along just fine," Dad says, clapping Blake on the back.

I clear my throat. "Now that you've been introduced, I'm going to bring my stuff upstairs."

Dad goes into the kitchen and takes two beers from the refrigerator, handing one to Blake. "Have a seat and stay awhile."

Blake pops the tab open with a loud psh and takes a swig. It's cheap beer and it's light, but he doesn't complain. For once, I'm thankful for my wheat allergy because Dad's beer is like drinking piss. The only thing worse is beer served warm.

The men retire to the den, where the television suddenly comes on, probably ESPN since that's one of Dad's favorite channels. It doesn't matter what sport it is -- he loves them all. I imagine it's been awhile since he's watched sports with someone, so I leave them to it while I go upstairs.

My room is as I left it, with the exception of clothes scattered on my bed, most likely from when Val came by to put together my bag. Nova immediately makes herself at home, pawing at my leg and mewling. She's almost doubled in size, and she's gone from tiny to the equivalent of a baby monster.

I drop my bag on the bed and sit down, petting Nova as she jumps onto my lap. She kneads my thighs with her claws for a moment before settling down and purring. I almost don't notice my phone vibrating in my pocket because she's so loud, and she hisses when I shift to check my notifications.

I swipe the screen and nearly drop the device when my eyes landed on an email from one of the agents I queried. Then my hearts races the Indie Five Hundred as I stare at the subject line: Re: Whispers In Time Query

Oh my god, do I open it? Am I prepared for another gut-wrenching rejection? The answer is no, but I won't know if I don't look, so I hesitantly click on the email and brace myself for the worst.

Melanie Bosworth <[email protected]>

To me ▽

Dear Kelly,

I was thrilled to read your sample for your novel, Whispers In Time. Your story offers a unique narrative voice, as well as an intriguing plot in so few pages. I'd like to request a full copy of your manuscript if you are still interested.

Kind regards,

Melanie Bosworth

Is this real? I can't believe it. A full request. An agent liked my book and wants to read the rest. My mind draws a blank as the news sinks in, and any minute, my heart is going to implode from pure ecstasy. This is almost better than sex. Scratch that. This is a million times better. My hard work is finally being noticed, and if I'm lucky, I'll find success in my lifelong aspiration.

I move Nova off my lap and run downstairs, waving my phone in the air when I reach the den. "I got a full manuscript request!"

Dad and Blake tear their gazes from the screen and they both grin. Blake jumps to his feet and pulls me into a crushing hug, spinning me in a circle. He plants a chaste kiss on my forehead, and his eyes radiate pride and excitement. "Congratulations. I knew you could do it."

I shake my head, afraid to get my hopes up, though I can't keep the enthusiasm out of my voice. "It's only a full. She could still say no."

Blake presses a finger to my lips. "She won't because your book is awesome. And even if she does say no, remember that you got that request instead of a rejection. You took the initiative to query, and it's proof of your skill. Don't underestimate yourself."

I loop my arms around his neck and remain in his embrace, happier than I ever thought possible. Not only have I received validation for my writing, I have a strong support group in this little room, and the only person missing is Val. I make a mental note to call her later and celebrate, but right now, all I can do is bask in elation.

Things are finally making a turn for the better.