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.”

“Who’d have guessed that deliberately cultivating a natural talent would lead to the betterment of said talent,”

We don’t quite kick Russia’s ass, but we spank it a little bit.

LMAO I LOVE THIS PHRASING

“I’ve got you, Mallory. Nothing bad is going to happen. You can let yourself want this, because you already have it. You have me.”