“Are you sure? I’m trying to warn you,” he said. He brushed a piece of my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I like your hair, by the way.” His voice was a whisper by the end of the sentence, and my hands were shaking as they trailed over his bottom lip and he made a noise again, encouraging me. I pressed my lips to his, letting all my guard down now, letting all the pain rush out of me, all the anxiety, the loneliness; it all melted out of me as he kissed me. His hand went around the back of my neck and his lips opened mine wider to taste more of me. I never, ever wanted to be away from this man again, no matter how many coincidences and unanswered questions surrounded him. No matter what demons he was running from or chasing. I couldn’t lose this, not again. I hugged him tighter and he said sorry between kissing me and pressing his hands to my cheeks, and I shushed him, begging him to take me home.

He didn’t stop kissing me, exploring me. I was completely melted by his warm hands and mouth.

“Okay, okay,” he eventually said, kissing my forehead. “Let’s go home.”

The way he said “home” made me feel so comforted. I had always thought of home as a place, but it’s a feeling, I decided in that moment.

I stayed as close to Kael as I could during the short drive to my house. We turned onto my street, and he drove more slowly before pulling up to his usual spot. I felt a mix of nerves and elation, and a rush to get inside with him. I missed having him in my house, and I think he knew that. He gave me a shy smile and courteously picked up my handbag, to move it out of my way. In my rush to climb out of the passenger door, I knocked the thick packet of papers to the floorboard.

“Sorry, I dropped these. I hope I didn’t mess them up,” I said, as I stacked them neatly. “Is this for your discharge?” There was an Army folder on top with the typical Army star. Kael stilled next to me. I felt the shift in the air around us as I realized what the packet said.

“Who’s enlistment packet is this?”

Being nosy and not thinking anything of it, I started to open the folder. That’s when Kael reached over, trying to grab it from me. “Who’s signing their life away?” I teased, as his eyes fell to the paperwork in my hands.

And then I read the name on the first page.

AUSTIN TYLER FISCHER

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Now it was Kael’s turn to call my name. Kael’s turn to bring me back to earth.

“Karina. Karina,” he said. “Listen to me, Karina. There’s an explanation—”