AR !

“No point in”
― Jami Davenport, Shutout

“who knows both languages and she can speak to the other females for us.” I paused then, sighing. “She insisted.” Gahn Irokai made a gruff, amused sound. “So they are like our women in at least one way, then.” I cast him a questioning look, and his lined face broke into a small smile.”
― Ursa Dax, Alien Tyrant

“Charlie. He must have called Ariel by mistake. Satisfied that she had everything that was vital, and informing Bruno that she would be sending a moving company for her furniture and other items, Ariel exited the building with as much grace as she could, having to walk out to her car accompanied by the tank-like security guard. At least Bruno had offered to carry her cardboard box. Unexpectedly, once they reached her sedan and Bruno had loaded her belongings into the trunk, he gave her a tight bear hug and said, “Sorry, Ms. H. This ain’t right.” Then he turned and strode away quickly—but not before she saw the misty shine in his eyes. “Thank you, Bruno!” she called after him, and he waved a meaty hand in the air but kept walking. In her car alone, Ariel felt her own eyes finally fill too. She cried all the way home, so upset that she barely noticed the traffic that would normally be the source of her evening stress. When she pulled into the driveway of her sprawling Mediterranean Revival, she made sure to tidy her makeup so that it wasn’t so apparent that she had been crying. She would be strong so that, when she broke the news to Katie, her daughter wouldn’t feel like everything was out of control.”
― Fiona Grace, Always, With You

“divorced. Father of the dreadful but very loveable Zoe. Literary agent at the Taylor Literary Agency.’ Maeve returned his smile and shook his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Stephen. I’m Maeve McKenna from Dublin. Single, but still hopeful. Haven’t found that significant other. But maybe I’m getting too old and picky.’ ‘You don’t look old to me.’ ‘Right now I feel about sixty. Work, work, work, you know?’ She grimaced as her phone rang, and checked the caller ID. ‘Got to take this, sorry. Bathroom tiles gone wrong.’ ‘How about that bite to eat later? I hate eating alone. I’ll come back around seven, if you’re free then?”
― Susanne O'Leary, Secrets of Willow House