Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1) by Ali Hazelwood

            I know that mouth.

            Levi.

            Levi.

            I haven’t seen Levi Ward in six years. Six blessed, blissful years. And now here he is, pushing me into a wall in the middle of NASA’s Space Center, and he looks . . . he looks . . .

            “Levi!” someone yells. The clanking goes silent. What was meant to fall has settled on the floor. “Are you okay?”

            Levi doesn’t move, nor does he look away. His mouth works, and so does his throat. His lips part to say something, but no sound comes out. Instead a hand, at once rushed and gentle, reaches up to cup my face. It’s so large, I feel perfectly cradled. Engulfed in green, cozy warmth. I whimper when it leaves my skin, a plaintive, involuntary sound from deep in my throat, but I stop when I realize that it’s only shifting to the back of my skull. To the hollow of my collarbone. To my brow, pushing back my hair.

            It’s a cautious touch. Pressing but delicate. Lingering but urgent. As though he is studying me. Trying to make sure that I’m all in one piece. Memorizing me.

            I lift my eyes, and for the first time I notice the deep, unmasked concern in Levi’s eyes.

            His lips move, and I think that, maybe—is he mouthing my name? Once, and then again? Like it’s some kind of prayer?

            “Levi? Levi, is she—”

            My eyelids fall closed, and everything goes dark.