Hump Day is here and that means a new snippet to share! Yay! I love new words. Up to a point. After that point, the only new words I want to type are “The End.” I am happy to report that I got another honorable mention last week. And the judge’s words were so nice, I’ve quoted her below so keep reading. The prompt for Thursday Threads was one I had to give a lot of thought to, and as it turned out, it fit into the scene I’d planned to work on later but discovered it fit in to the story “right there.” So I worte it. The prompt: **“We didn’t have to wait for the end of the world.”** Even though Maura thought it might take that in the long run… *bwahaha*

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“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be here. I’ll go.” She once thought the world would come to an end before she’d willingly come to this man.

“You could stay.”

Maura’s head jerked, an unconscious reaction. She stared at Ronan. He was such a…man. What did the romance novels call a male like him? Alpha. Yes. He was totally that. In control of his world. But the timbre of his voice, the fleeting plea in his eyes rocked her to her core. He sounded almost…unsure, a first since their initial encounter.

“I could.”

It wasn’t a question, but not an answer either. Ronan fought his wolf. The damn thing wanted this woman with a ferocity that almost doubled him over. He was well and truly moonstruck. And totally screwed.

“Will you? I’m guessing you haven’t eaten. I’ll order in some dinner. We’ll eat. Talk.”

“That’s all?”

She sounded so wistful and her scent troubled him. White lilies and damp earth. Graveyard smells. His fiery prosecutor was feeling melancholy tonight…and vulnerable. He would be patient.

“That’s all.”

She offered a tentative smile. Was she relieved or… disappointed? He tasted the air—and still didn’t know as her personal scent of cherry blossoms and autumn bonfires settled on his tongue making him hungry to taste her.

“At least we didn’t have to wait for the end of the world,” she murmured.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. Just a thought about you and me. Here. Like this.”

“Ah. Beginnings rather than endings.” Ronan smiled.
****

This is what the judge, Thia, said:

Full disclosure: I chose this story because I could absolutely find this exchange in a book I am reading for pleasure on the daily. Also, I liked that this was the only story that wasn’t ACTUALLY about the end of the world but incorporated the prompt. If this is part of a WIP, I need to know when it releases, because it should be on my TBR pile.

Her comment made my whole day–if not my week. There are times, especially toward the end of a WIP when writers begin to question not only their sanity but their abilities. This was the nudge I needed to know I’m still on the right track, I’m still telling a good story, and readers will enjoy the book. 🤞🏼 Writers, you know the drill. Readers, do you agree with Thia? (Psst. I figure if you’re still hanging around here, that the answer is yes and this book will appear on your TBR pile once it releases.)