casting golden patterns across Alia's comforter. Her phone buzzes softly on t

mal

els and caffeine. Can't

eets. The world outside is still and quiet-the kind of morning that ask

ia 1

I'll be here... thinking about

up her screen like a love song. She answers, v

dipped in longing. "But you're

"That's dangerous

heart. It's the only plac

ould your commanding officers say if

ly gone soft for

ith a note of gravity, he adds, "Deploym

tion. Alia closes her eyes, hand t

rs. "I'm planning something, Ali. A night you'll never forget. Just

t thuds.

urs. No curfew. No goodbyes. J

en a distant shout ech

right?" he says, already smiling through the

he whispers. "B

y safest

ic

hone pressed to her chest, a d

-

Hurry‑Up

y

al's text arrives

mal

me. Say something sexy. L

g classifications like they're love notes. His soft chuck

y

m her family home, face

lakeside pavilion? Girl, is he pro

eks flushed. "He

er code for: I'm about to

Th

her spine like a second heartbeat. S

mes like breath

ur eyes,"

ready

ite drink, me in a suit, your hand in m

o her seat. "

t's promise into her bone

-

lt D

ne minut

inking on the grade portal.

her?"

way

s. She gasps, hand

athes. "Everything.

, voice reverent. "My miracl

heeks. "I couldn't have do

"Tomorrow, we celebrate the woman I've been falling for since

he background. Jam

ha. Tomorrow, we w

ic

ring catching the glow of her desk lam

-

day –

hums to a s

her shoulders, lips glossed in rosewater pink. She sees him-leaning against a

y. "You look like the night sky forgot how

udding. "You clean u

r, brushing a kiss to he

sn't just a date. It's a

and aching tenderness, Alia knows-no matter what distance