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.”

“You don’t know me,” I yell after him. A cliché—that’s who I am. “And I don’t particularly care to.” He opens the driver’s door of his Mini. “Not if this is who you are.”

But life is too long to be afraid.” I snort wetly. “Too short, you mean.” “No. Years spent carrying grudges, talking yourself out of things that might make you happy? They go slowly.”

“Well, you know how I feel about agreeing with white guys with trust funds, but…I might have to give him a brownie point here.”