EXCERPT 1
Wincing, I struggle to raise my puffy eyelids while feeling something cold beneath me. Rolling my head to the side I try taking in my surroundings. That’s when I get a glimpse of blood on the concrete under my twisted body.

Ahhh, what— I draw a ragged breath while trying to figure out what’s happening, but that’s when my world turns black.

The next thing I remember is waking up in a white sterile room full of machinery emitting various tones and a window with the blinds half closed. With fuzzy eyes I notice silver rails on each side of the bed I’m lying in. While blinking, glimpses of a nurse taking my vitals comes into view. When finished, she moves to the foot of the bed to type on a computer.

“Where… am I?” I ask attempting to focus on the room. I struggle to fully open my eyes, but only manage to see pieces of my surroundings.

Pain shoots through me as I try lifting my hand to my swollen eyes. Unable to bear the pain rushing through me, my arm drops on top of my right leg as tears sting my eyes.

“Try not to move, Nicole.” A mature and soothing voice approaches me from the foot of my bed. “You’re in the hospital on base. I’m told you were also here a few weeks ago. Can you tell me what happened this time?” The nurse inquires.

My brain feels jumbled, like I’m trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces, as I attempt to recall what could have put me in here.

Gently I shake my head staring at her while sobbing. “Why—” Unable to put words together I pause.

Breathing deep to calm myself isn’t easy, though I manage to take a few breaths before speaking slowly and softly. “Why can’t I… remember?”

“Oh, honey don’t be so hard on yourself.” She pats my arm. “In your condition you should thank God for being alive. If that knot on your head had been an inch closer to your temple, you wouldn’t be here.

EXCERPT 2
Pushing the cart down the ramp, I look at the rear of my SUV and see a beautiful raven-haired woman laughing with my son. Her wavy hair is pinned up behind her head and she’s wearing a flowy boho style dress. A bolt of electricity shoots through me.

Easing a breath out, I fight my urge to walk in front of Nicole, take her into my arms and kiss her despite Koa being there.

I remind myself. Easy does it. It’s not like you haven’t seen her hundreds of times. Get a grip!

Clearing my throat as I approach, she turns to me still smiling. “Hi, Nick. I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“Hey there. I didn’t think you would be here either, not today anyway.”

Flashing those perfectly white teeth at me, she utters, “I’m glad I came. I don’t get to see Koa too much these days, other than briefly at church. It’s nice having a chance to catch up with him.”

Propping my hand on the edge of the hatch, I cock my head at her. “We might just have to remedy that one day soon, after my parents leave.”

Pursing her lips, she nods. “I’d like that.”

“Hey, Koa!” A girl yells at him after climbing out of a car across the parking lot.

He looks at me. “Do you mind if I talk to my friend for a bit?”

“No, go ahead. I can get it.”

Nicole steps closer. “I can help.” She grabs ahold of a box placing it in the cart.

“Thanks, but I wouldn’t want you to get that pretty dress dirty. You look really nice in it.” I turn away, feeling heat rising in my face.

Tipping her chin up and giving me a shy closed mouth grin, Nicole turns away and picks up a tub filled with vegetables. “Well, thank you. It’s just something I threw on this morning, since it’s laundry day.”

“You should wear it more often. The style and mix of colors compliment you well.”

“Why, Chef, are you flirting with your employee?”

Chuckling, I state, “You, my dear, are a volunteer not an employee, so it doesn’t count.”

“Tomato, tomahto. Are you avoiding my question, Mr. Rodriguez?”

“Do you really want to know?” I ask, fighting a smirk.

Nicole sets the tub down on the cart before turning to face me grinning. “Why, yes, I think I do.”

Taking a step closer to her, I ask, “You think, huh? Well, let me know when you’re sure and I’ll tell you.” I turn to walk away, but she grabs my hand, igniting a bolt of electricity.

“Okay, I’m sure.” She says softly. So soft that I could barely hear her.

Taking another step closer while she continues to hold my hand, our eyes lock for what feels like several minutes. Finally, I admit, “Yes. The answer is yes; I was flirting with you. Is that okay?”

Her eyes widen as her mouth starts to open, but closes almost as quick when Koa approaches us. “Sorry, Dada, my friend has never volunteered here before and had a few questions.”

Releasing my hand, Nicole smiles at him. “That’s nice of your friend to want to help out. We sure need all the volunteers we can get with the volume of people who frequent our facility, especially on the weekends and during the holiday season.”

“Yeah, that’s what I told her. Her mom has been encouraging her, so she finally decided to try it out. I told her she’s going to like it. I think it made her relax a bit.”