A Little Excerpt

Summer 2025

​Toby Ingram and his girlfriend, Alyssa Riley, were at Toby’s Lincoln Park apartment in Chicago. They played some video games on an older gaming console. Afterwards, they decided to watch one of Toby’s favorite comedy shows while lying sideways on the couch. His shirt was pulled up to his belly button, and Alyssa decided to put her ear against his stomach.

​“Anything interesting going on in there?” Toby asked his girlfriend, while her ear was pressed against his stomach.
“Nope, just super noisy. It’s really cute,” Alyssa replied.
“I think I felt my stomach gurgle a bit.”
“Yes! It was so loud. And I’ve told you this so many times, but you have a really cute belly button.”
“It’s your typical innie,” Toby said with a deep sigh.

Alyssa was listening to Toby’s belly noises for a few more minutes. Then, she pulled his shirt up and put her ear against his chest.

“Your heartbeat is so fast,” Alyssa said.
“I can feel it pounding in my chest,” Toby replied.
“I just heard a couple soft whooshes in there. That was hot.”
“Alyssa, you’re such a cute little dufus.”
“I try. I think you like me a little.”
“I like you a lot.”