Cerex XIV, David Gallagher

Novella-length SF robot-human love story riff on The Twilight Zone's "The Lonely" (but this is much, much better). It also reminds me of one of my favorite films, (2009) Moon with Sam Rockwell, which is another quiet, SF, psychological thriller.

The narration in Ceres XIV alternates first person between "Him" and "Her." The highlight of the piece for me is the clinical, dawning awareness of what it's like to experience passion: liking, attachment, love, jealousy. And then there's a nice "ticking clock" and mystery to unravel - which I won't spoil! Brilliant.