Page 18 of Desired By Eros

“I swear, you’re impossible,” Psyche muttered. “Fine, but only if I can choose the restaurant.” She grabbed her bag and prepared to get out of the car, hoping to get through the rest of her day without further surprises.

Eros winked at her. “I’ll let you choose. But you owe me one for the flying part.”

“Whatever,” she said, slamming the door and walking toward the barracks.

She turned around to look at him one last time and could see the smirk still on his face, but for some reason, it didn’t bother her. Instead, it felt…okay. Not so bad after all.

She still had some time, so she pulled out her phone and logged into Aspie Forum, a hub of advice and community for people like her. As she scrolled, a notification popped up: an instant message from Diana, one of her online friends.

Diana: Hey, how’s it going? Did you start yet?

Psyche: Not yet, but I will today. Orientation was good. I’m excited!

Diana: That’s awesome! Good luck! I hope you make some friends!

Psyche paused, typing a quick “Thanks!” before going to the search bar on the forum and typing,What is a friend?

A checklist of qualities and examples appeared, and Psyche began reading:

A friend is someone…

Who enjoys spending time with you– They invite you to do things together or say yes when you suggest plans.

Who respects your boundaries– They don’t push you into doing things you’re uncomfortable with and listen when you say no.

Whomakes you feel safe– You feel relaxed and comfortable when you’re around them, without fear of being judged.

Who includes you– They make an effort to bring you into conversations or activities, so you don’t feel left out.

Who shares things about themselves– They open up about their own life, so the connection feels mutual.

Whosticks around even when things are hard– They show understanding and patience when you’re having a rough day or feeling overwhelmed.

Who remembers small things about you– They recall details you’ve shared, like your favorite topics, routines, or interests.

Who shows patience if you struggle with social cues– They don’t get upset if you miss a joke or have trouble understanding something, and they explain when needed.

Who makes an effort to include your interests– They try to engage in things you like or at least show appreciation for what’s important to you.

As she scrolled through the descriptions, she realized, with a small smile, that she already had someone who fit the bill. Eros. Well, almost. He teased her relentlessly, but he’d been there when she needed him, and he did make her feel comfortable in his own chaotic way.

“One almost-friend,”she thought to herself.“Maybe a couple more to go.”

The rest of her first day started slowly, beginning with another site tour led by Rebecca. It was a thorough walkthrough, introducing the logistics of the dig, safety protocols, and some of the ongoing research projects. Psyche also met the rest of the team, exchanging polite introductions and made mental notes on who seemed approachable. Everyone was professional but friendly enough, which put her at ease.

By mid-afternoon, Psyche finally got her first glimpse of the dig site. She wasn’t assigned a task yet, but Rebecca allowed her to observe. Watching the delicate process of uncovering fossils filled Psyche with a sense of awe, and she couldn’t wait to begin contributing.

Over the next few days, Psyche’s schedule became more structured. She learned the ropes of digging, cataloging, and analyzing samples. The repetitive, detail-oriented work suited her perfectly, and the solitude of being able to work alone for hours was a welcome bonus. No one thought it odd that she preferred quiet focus, and Psyche found herself settling into a comfortable rhythm. By Friday, she was surprised at how much she’d adapted to the new environment.

That afternoon, she ran into Rebecca near the barracks.

“Psyche, how’s it going?” Rebecca asked, stopping in her tracks. “Need anything?”

“It’s been really good,” Psyche said, feeling genuinely pleased. “Even the camping has been great. It’s been a good transition.”

Rebecca smiled. “Glad to hear it. The weather’s supposed to turn tonight, but it’s only temporary. The weekend should be fine once the storm clears.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve camped through a storm before, so it should be okay.”

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