In The Beginning, The End

by Stephen D. Rogers

About the Author: Stephen D. Rogers is the author of SHOT TO DEATH and more than 800 shorter works. His website, www.StephenDRogers.com, includes a list of new and upcoming titles as well as other timely information.

Excerpt

Her cheek against his bare skin, she tugged at one of his chest hairs. "Do you remember the first time you saw me?"

"Of course. It was at Malcolm's. I ordered wings, and kept waving you over to ask for a different kind of dipping sauce so you'd stand next to me for a few seconds."

"It's as though you invented smooth."

"I think I did, actually. You inspired me."

"Inspired you to invent imaginary dipping sauces, maybe."

"That was not my fault. Malcolm's only offered three kinds, and I wanted to see more of you than that."

"Your worst idea was jalapeño pineapple. You mispronounced jalapeño."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did.” She tugged the hair.

"I was younger then. What did I know?"

"Are you saying you didn't know better than to flirt with me?"

He kissed the top of her head. "Some things I knew."

She hummed, the sound echoing in his chest. "You're wrong though. That wasn't the first time you saw me."

The ground seemed more root than soil, as if the trees in this forest clawed at each other, grasping for purchase, holding on for dear life. No matter where she stabbed the spade, she only ever cut through the surface before hitting something unyielding.

She had already spent hours dragging him out here. Was she now going to spend hours digging the hole?

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