Check & Mate

by Ali Hazelwood

“It has its ups and downs. I used to love it, but a little . . . sameness set in, and I actually thought about quitting. Then Mallory arrived.” His knee suddenly pushes back against mine. “Now I love it again.”

🥺🥺🥺🥺

Only secondarily because he doesn’t seem to be able to look away from my most oblivious daughter.”