“So, trusting you—” Piper’s voice broke through. “—was not a given. I don’t care what world we’re in.  I don’t care that you’re the only person here. I am independent. A loner. And I could easily remain that way in this rosy paradise.” She flailed her hand. “I don’t need you.” Her eyes flashed. “I want you.”

     A vortex of memories whirled inside Russ’s mind. School hand-holding. Girlfriends. His failed relationship with his fiancé. Unfulfilling rebounds. Those recollections faded—replaced with new ones.

     Piper. In his arms. Sleeping on a sagging couch.

     Piper. On his lap. Holding her head as he tried to soothe her pain.

     Piper. Sleeping on a pillow beside him.

     Love you—

     Piper.

     In black lace.

     “I was just about to make love to you.”

     Air dragged in across her lower lip, making it quiver.

     “But you heard tires. You hear the past. Making love to me is the future.” Long lashes lowered as she added, “I hope.”

     Those last words tugged at the corners of his lips.

     “I hope so too. I’m hoping for the near future.”

     Piper looked up and grinned. “Real near future.”

     “I’m standing here with no shirt on.”

     “That amps up the timeline for sure.”

     Past be damned.

     The future be untold.

     In this rose-colored limbo—only they existed. They were the rulers of this world. The deciders of this fate.

     “You don’t have to be a loner, Piper. You don’t have to be alone.” His hands slid into her hair and he urged her head back so that he could kiss her. Slow. Long. Forever. “Because I want you too.”