Between Hello and Goodbye

by Emma Scott

So the Hottest Firefighter in the World is named Ash, I thought. Made sense. He probably set panties on fire.

“What a shame. Part of my misguided attempt at personal growth is that I’ve sworn off men for the foreseeable future, and here you are, kicking in the door to my life.” Her tongue touched the top of her parted lips and her eyes darkened as they grazed over every inch of me. “The universe is testing me. Hard.”

If I sleep with anyone, it’d be like falling off the wagon.” “Noted,” Asher said. He shot me an arch smile. “But if you do want to fall off the wagon, I volunteer as enabler.”

“But I can’t help myself around you. I know, rationally, we’re different people. There’s a literal ocean between us, and yet…” He reached across the table to take my hand. “I don’t see how this can go anywhere, but the last fucking thing I want to think about is saying goodbye.”

Men liked to think they conquered women. What a crock. We were the weaker sex, helpless in the face of our lust. Brought down by a look, a whiff of perfume, the hint of a collarbone on a graceful neck…