Happy Friday everyone đ It’s #WritingChallenge time! You know what to do…read, write, share and enjoy!
It’s the moment your character realizes they’re attracted to – and a little bit in love with – their best friend! What happens?
We can’t wait to read your scenes on Monday and are so excited to see which character’s perspective you write it from!
Happy writing đ
The Sold Editors x
357 replies on “It’s Writing Challenge time!”
âHello there, Handsome.â
Nic Mulholland looked up, around the packed and arguing gallery, then back at the text that had just flashed up on his phone. Nope, absolutely no question whoâd texted.
His thumbs caressed the keys briefly, then quickly flashed into action.
âMissing me?â he typed.
Her reply was equally fast.
âItâs been so long.â
âTwo hours, Cary.â
âI felt so cold after breakfast when you left.â
Risking sending his blood pressure soaring when he should have been concentrating, he sent, âThat would be because of the tiny little nightie you were wearing.â
âYou no like?â
âEven my toast incinerated…â
âMaybe if youâd given me your pj top to coverup?â
âDifficult. I donât wear pjs, remember.â
There was no reply to that, so after a minute he texted, âWhatâs on your mind? I thought we were both had an important meeting to go to this morning.â
âAm just imagining you beside me.â
âBeside you where, exactly?â
âWell, since you ask…â
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and thanked god everyoneâs attention was on his assistant, pen in hand, whiteboard before him, pointing out the statistics that mattered.
âDonât toy with a manâs emotions,â he bashed out.
No reply again.
Nic swigged his coffee and tried to pay attention to what the curator was saying. Then his phone vibrated again.
âOK, since you ask, big boy, beside me walking me up the aisle.â
Nic choked on his drink. The meeting came to a standstill. Someone patted him on the back. Someone else brought him a drink of water. Really nice of them. None of it helped.
He signalled them to continue, and forced himself to keep his eyes off her. It wouldnât be a good idea to look. To make eye contact. Something in him hurt like hell. And he had a nasty suspicion sheâd see. Sheâd always seen what he was thinking, ever since kindergarten. His fingers flew over his keypad.
âRun that by me again.â
âMartin and I are getting married, Nic. Finally. In two weeks. I need my best guy to give me away. Will you do it?â
He looked up then alright, right across the table at her, sitting there anxiously nibbling her lip. Not looking at him. Heâd been away for six months. Away from the London house theyâd shared for years. It had seemed like a good idea to him at the time. His ideas werenât always that great.
âWell?â
He watched her send the text. He barely glanced at it. He couldnât seem to take his eyes off her. And then she looked up. She was pale, those green eyes even bigger in her face and her efficient-as-all-hell hairstyle was hanging around her face where sheâd been pulling down strands. He knew her nervy habits better than he knew himself.
So he nodded.
Well done!
Thanks for reading, Yvonne!
LOVE this! Everything flowed so easily and by the end I was just as sucker punched as Nic over the notion that she was slipping through his fingers. Bravo!
Fallon, that’s so kind! Thank you! Putting any fiction out in public makes me nervous, so glad you enjoyed!
Oh I agree 100%. So bravo for being so brave and taking that step. It really was a great read!!
Poor Nic!!
I know, Carol! I’ve just written the next bit and made it worse! Thanks. x
This is great! I loved that I wasn’t really sure where it was going until she dropped that bomb on him.
Yay, Sasha – I never if that sort of stuff works! I’m enjoying the idea of writing more of this. Thanks so much for commenting.
Maggie – What a great way to set off the tension, and I’m loving Nic already.
Love that you love Nic – me too! Dunno where he came from but I’m wanting to give him his HEA! Thanks for reading, Harriet
Really great, Maggie. Loved the “texted” story unfolding the plot. Lol the toast line. And, say it ain’t so for Nic. No! It can’t be!
Loved this!
Thank you, Vicky!
Great job!
Thanks so much, Karen!
What a fun, clever way to set up their friendship…and the dramatically changing stakes! Asking him to give her away at the wedding is genius đ
Thank so much, Sold Editors! Made my day!
I absolutely adore the writing in your piece. I expect Nic will come up with something to get his girl because it would be heartbreaking to see him facing the wrong way at the end of the aisle.
Savannah, firstly, thanks so so much for your kindness. But also, wow with your name! Love it! Mx
TGIF! It’s playtime!
This snippet might make more sense if I could have put italics on their texts. Sorry!
Also, must say – lovely knowing who the Sold Team are! *waves to Team Sold, sends them happy weekend wishes (and virtual prosecco)*
Nice, Maggie! Real nice! So much sizzle & tension right off the bat. And Nic already has my heart racing.
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Thanks, April!
I am just…Nooooooooo!!!!!!
LOL, Fiona! Always appreciate your comments x
Loved this, Maggie! đ
Thanks so much, Calida!
It was a well-known fact that little Skinny Charlie Lee had a mouth on her.
Ty Jacobs just never knew it could be as sexy as hell.
âIâve blen wanting to do that fo sho long,â she slurred softly against the shell of his ear after breaking the kiss.
Ty attempted to peel his eyelids open and drag himself back into awareness. The act was a lot more difficult than it shouldâve been on account of the tequila. And the whiskey. And, maybe the-
What the hell was it theyâd started with?
He was drunk as a skunk. This had to be some sort of strange liquor induced hallucination. Little Skinny Charlie Lee would never sneak into his bed in the wee hours of the morning. Let alone, put the moves on him.
Relaxing, he settled back against the sheets. His brain had just gotten mixed up in his sleep was all. Thatâs what a wedding rehearsal, bachelor party and passing out in a guest room did to a Best Manâs mind. It made it malfunction and put Charlieâs cute little noggin on some other fantasyâs body. He wasnât altogether at ease with it butâŚso what? It was just a harmless little dream. He might as well enjoy it.
âHave at it, baby,â he chuckled on a stretch.
A smile spread across his face as the silky hair on the cute Charlie noggin brushed by, catching on the stubble of his cheek. Slim knees splayed across his hips and pressed him deeper into the bed. Her talented tongue made swift work of parting his lips.
Watermelon⌠No. Sweet and sour apple. The soft sweep of her tongue shared a tantalizing hint of it each time it passed. Mustâve been that green concoction sheâd tossed back repeatedly at the rehearsal dinner, eyeing him over the shot glass.
He swallowed and put a hand to the back of her head, gaining a better angle to delve deeper into the flavor. Her soft moan entered his mouth and set his blood on fire. Something soft nestled into the roving cup of his palm.
Ty managed to crack the corner of one eye open and admire the way her small breast fit so perfectly-
Wait a minute! This was Charlie. In the flesh. The same Charlie heâd first sparred with over a water pistol when he was seven. The same Charlie that had written his essay for Mrs. Peters in eighth grade when heâd been too slack to do it. And the same Charlie that had kicked him in the nether regions when heâd-
Aw, hell. Heâd rather not think about his nether regions right now. Especially since she was having a different effect on them this time. A drastically different effect.
He blinked, struggling to clear the fog from his pupils. âCharlie-â
âShhhhhâŚâ Two fingertips fumbled over his face, drawing down his cheek to settle hard on his chin.
He grinned. Damn, she was lit. But, then again, so was he.
âYou hafta be quiet,â she breathed. âMarkâs still up.â
âWhat?â The strangled squeak that burst from him was decidedly feminine.
Mark. Her older brother. His best friend. The one getting married tomorrow. And the one whoâd designated him Best Man.
Ty froze. If Mark knew he was feeling up his little sister, heâd touch his backside with the blast of a bullet.
Touch⌠Ty groaned. Lord have mercy, what was she doing with her hands?
He heaved his upper half to his elbows, half-regretting the impulse when the earth tilted and brought the top of her gleaming, brown-haired head into his blurry vision. She flung her bob back just as she finagled her nails into the gap of his dress shirt and yanked. Buttons popped, clanged and scattered across the bed and onto the floor, rolling and spinning in all directions.
Charlie smiled down at him. Those little dimples of hers denting to brag their existence.
âThat was afwat louder than I thlought itâd be,â she twittered out on a giggle.
Omg I adored this one, too!!! Can we be buddies so I can obsessively read all your stuff? lololol
ps. side note – I love how both entries thus far are dealing with weddings. đ
LOL! I’d love to be writing buddies, Fallon! Thanks- even my toenails are blushing.
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Love it!
There is so much trouble come. Love it.
Such a fun read! Would love to see what happens next. lol!
Ty sounds like my kind of guy!
April, I really enjoyed reading this. Great job!
Enjoyable style, April. Nice capturing of slurred speech and surroundings throughout. Good story voice.
Oooh, the out of bounds ‘buddy’s little sister’ – I sense fireworks. Really enjoyed this!
Such a fun read! I want to turn the page and find out what happens next, well I think I know what’s going to happen next. But the next morning…that I’d like to know.
Oh dear, not sure Mark’s going to be happy about this! Fun and sexy – there’ll be no going back to ‘just good friends’ after this!
Such fun! And I love your voice, April! He is in so much trouble!
Too funny!
This was a fantastic read, April! đ
âHere,â Hunter strolled over, set down his empty on the counter beside her. Reached up. âLet meâŚI canââ Their fingers brushed and he almost swore the snap of electricity was more than just static, but a spark forged from his own sexual heat. Surprised, sheâd jerked away from him, her bracelet catching the plastic wrapped around the cardboard and the box tumbled down the shelf to bean him across the head.
âOh!â She spun around, eyes wide and hands to her mouth. âOh, Hunter, Iâm so sorry.â
âIâll live.â He laughed, rubbing a hand to his brow; it hadnât hurt, smarting only his pride. But she was pulling at his hand, brushing back his hair so she could inspect. Not such a bad deal, he thought, backed against the counter as her breath skimmed the side of his face, his skin warming under the touch of her fingers stroking over his temple.
âHow does it look?â He smiled. âWill I make it?â She answered him with a laugh, as he hoped she would. Heâd always loved the sound of her voice, her laugh, and suddenly, he wanted to stretch out this rare moment with the two of them alone.
Free of prying family eyes…
When had they got this close, she wondered. Close enough for her to see the grain of stubble on his jaw, the texture of his lipsâŚ
God, heâd done a lot of growing up over the years. A realization that struck her all the harder now that they were standing together. Alone. Without the blanket of predawn to shroud most of the details.
His face, once rounded with the boyishness of youth, had leaned out, trimmed of its adolescence. And it certainly wasnât boyish anymore. All angular and with an edge that would have seemed dangerous were it not for the smile he often carried in his eyes, more gold than the familial âMercerâ green and almost the same tawny hue as his hair.
Lynn swallowed hard. Those eyes werenât smiling now. And the look in them wasnât playful but searchingâŚdangerous.
âNot sure.â She eased away from him. âMight need threeâŚmaybe four invisible stitches. Could leave a scar.â
âA scar? Jeez,” he clicked his tongue. “Canât you just kiss it better?â
She blinked at the request, eyes wide and bright as a startled puppy. âExcuse me?â
âIâm injured.â Hunter tapped a finger to his brow, flashed a slow, easy grin that heâd learned to perfect during his time abroad. âAnd since youâre at fault, I figure a kiss will let you off the hook. Or I can always tell mama you beat up her favourite son.â
Was he flirting? The firing senses of her startled nerves choked her ability to think rationally, coherently. No, you idiot, heâs just being Hunter. This is a game. A joke. Something for a laugh. Donât be a moron, justâŚdo something!
âOh, sure, big baby.â She laughed to mask the quiver of anticipation, rising to her toes, slid her arms around his shoulders, and struggled not to think about the feel of his hands as they found her waist. Deliberately, Lynn slowed down her movements, gentle, easy so that her racing heart steadied.
But under the press of his hands, her skin warmed, those arms circled as he drew her closer and closed his eyes, savouring the sensations of her breath against his skin, followed by the soft, luscious texture of her lips brushing along his temple, for the briefest instant before easing away. The faint whisper of her delicate perfume swam in his head and made him almost giddy.
Suddenly, and with an urgency he hadnât expected to rise within him so aggressively, Hunter wanted to touch her. And not just touch, but possess. To feel the curve and contours of a body heâd only ever fantasized about, starting with those lovely breasts and down to stroke his hands over the length of Lynnâs endless legs, to know the wild and wicked excitement of wrapping them around him.
A wild sort of need that boarded on the edge of irrational and insane.
âThere,â he managed in a voice far too serious to pass for teasing. âAll better.â
âYes. Um.â Edging further away, she snatched up the large box of paper towel, hugged her arms around it, needing the distance and the shield.
âI could take those for you.â Hunter offered, and when he took her arm, she made sure the smile she cast him was fast and impersonal. She needed to get out of there.
Now.
Another minute. Another second, anything longer would be dangerous. He was still watching her too carefully for her comfort. And Lynn was terrified of what he would see.
âNo, itâs alright. Iâm heading back up to the kitchen, anyway. Thanks.â
As she fled, leaning back against the counter, Hunter tucked his tongue in his cheek, folded his arms across his chest. Sheâd almost leapt out of her skin when heâd touched her arm, just as she had earlier from the brush of their hands, startled by the spark of static.
Nothing to be skittish about, but then, he supposed, that was the sort of effect Lynn had on him for as long as he could remember. She was always sparking under his skin, jolting him with electric bursts of need.
And now, he began to wonder if perhaps she wasnât the only one doing the sparking.
Love the heat! This has to be part of something bigger you are working on, at least I hope to see it in print!
Fallon, I, too, thought that your story’s from a bigger ms. If so, that could be a good thing, since this steam-filled entry is written in an entertaining style.
Oooooo- shivers right up the spine, Fallon! Such a hot, tender, & emotionally charged moment. “…not jut touch but possess…” (thump)- I just swooned.
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Looks like Lynn & Hunter’s story will be a fantastic ride- Some beautiful stuff!
Love it when they go away and turn hot and cute
Beautiful description, so good!
Love it! He sounds like a real hottie.
Loooooove this!
“electric bursts of need” – great phrase Fallon.
great interaction!
I would love to read more of this! The tension level is so high and the characters play so well off each other.
LOVE this! You capture that shift from friendly to sexy so well, as they start to see each other in a whole new light. Great!
LOVE this, Fallon! The chemistry between them is almost palpable! đ
“What do you mean you know what I am?” Shyla hissed over top of the deli case at Matt. His lunch combo had come to a dead stop.
“Baby, I knew what you were the moment I laid hands on you.” Matt gave her that slow sexy smile that always made heat climb up Shyla’s body.
Matt kept his voice low too, neither one of them wanted to gain the interest of any of the other customers.
Shyla ran her tongue over dry lips, she would have to ask. “So what am I?”
Matt took in her lifted eyebrow, her hand on one slim hip. He remembered sliding his hand over it very well, and lower.
“Baby, you’re a shapeshifter.” Matt shrugged. “I’ve known almost as long as I’ve know you.”
“How did you find out?” Shyla’s eyes flashed fear.
Matt tapped his index finger to his broad chest. “Hello, witch.” Then he realized why she had fear in her eyes, not because he might expose her, but because she thought being a shapeshifter would change how he saw her.
Matt stepped behind the deli counter, moving inside Shyla’s personal space, she placed her hands on his muscular chest as he grasped her upper arms. His looked down into her eyes.
“Know this. You are the most important person in the world to me. You always have been.” Matt moved one hand up to brush his thumb across her dusky cheek. “You are my best friend and the woman I want to spend my life with.” Now he swallowed. “As long as you don’t have a problem with me being a witch.”
Shyla’s fear melted and she leaned against his hard body. “Are crazy?” She said grinning at his reaction to the full contact. “Of course not, once you’ve had a witch you will never switch.”
Oooooh paranormal romance! I love it he’s a witch and she is a shapeshifter! Star crossed lovers or want?
So what kind is she?
Thanks! Book two of my series.
She is a selkie.
Nice
: )
I’m realising more and more that I’m going to HAVE to get me some paranormal!
And Loved that last line soooo much!
Thanks Charlotte! : )
It should read “Are you crazy.” Perfect example why we need fresh eyes to do our proof reading.
Great rhythm! How could any woman not melt with Matt persuading them?
Enjoyed this very much, Yvonne! I too, love that last line! đ
Thanks!
great last line!
Ooh, a paranormal! Love that last line!
Yvonne – what great, solid characters.
Quite enjoyable, Yvonne. Nice writing. Cute, PNR, and you–perfect together!
Great final quote.
Nice! A shifter and witch should bring heat and a few issues along the way. Love it!
Thanks Ladies!
What a fun paranormal twist on the theme! Love the understated sizzle you’ve set up too, and what a great last line too!
Thanks so much for your feedback!
Honey And the Law
“Put your hands behind your back and I’ll ask the sheriff to go easy on you.”
Honey Jacobs looked up to Billy and stuck her tongue out. “We grew up together. I was the only girl who would show you what petticoats look like under all these silly skirts when we were no older than ten. And now you’re just gonna stand there and arrest me Billy? When pigs fly!” She tried lifting a knee to kick backwards and hopefully connect her boot heel on his shin, but Billy was quick despite his size, easily side-stepped out of the way. Besides, he was the one who taught her how to do it.
“Honey, settle down. I told you if you kept on trying to steal Mr. Jacob’s horse that I’d have to arrest you for rustling.” She spat. Her curls fell out of her bonnet as her eyes burned. Billy was dead serious.
She calmed down then looked at him. “You ain’t serious, right Billy. I mean we promised to marry each other if no one else will have us.”
Billy locked gazes with her and her tummy turned just like it does when they roll the wagons up and down the steep hills. She licked her lips. She kinda liked how it made her feel all warm and gushy.
“If you keep actin’ like a boy, Honey Jacobs, I’ll be forced to marry you. Don’t you know that men want decent women, with soft skin and gentle manners?”
“But not you, huh Billy? You like me how I am.” He wrapped a stray flaxen curl around his finger, then he let it slip slowly through his grasp. This time, instead of her tummy tickling, something else did and she gasped despite herself.
“I don’t mind that you act like boy…” he whispered.
She purposely batted her eyes at him. “You still gonna take me in to the sheriff?”
“Nope, the judge.”
“The judge!”
“Uh huh, Cos I figure the only way to keep an eye on you, is to make you my wife.”
The End. đ
You captured their slangs so well!
Oh, Honey..(tsk, tsk)…Billy boy’s gonna tame you!
Sweet, Elle!
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Oh yeah! Billy, get your guns! đ
Love it, Elle!!!
Funny and sweet. Gotta love a man who loves a tomboy.
Ha-ha, great, Elle! You have a light, drawing style that holds throughout the piece.
I liked the way you presented your characters and how the story unfolded. Really fun time in a short clip.
Loved this! Loved that she gasped despite herself.
Haha, lovely! Billy sounds gorgeous too – it’s going to be one sparky marriage…!
This is cute.
I want to read more of this. She’s feisty!
Really enjoyed reading this, Elle! đ
Will took the casserole dish off the counter and dunked it into the sudsy water. He had rinsed it already so the worse of the Italian chicken pasta sauce was already removed.
He snuck a sideways glance at Hannah as she dried the lid. With her red roan hair pulled back in a pony she looked thirteen again.
His hint of a laugh made Hannah look up at him with smokey green eyes. “What?” She asked with a slight smile. No, there was no mistaking the full grown woman for a young girl.
“I was just thinking you look about thirteen right now.” Will raised one massive shoulder in a shrug.
“Thanks, I think.” Hanna wrinkled her nose at him. “You don’t look at all thirteen years old.”
Not with that body or that face. Will looked even better now than when they had been in their teens and she had had the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend.
In the last few weeks, sharing a house with Will had reignited that crush and pushed it all the way to full blown infatuation. Maybe even beyond that, but without asking Will about his feelings, Hannah didn’t want to explore her emotions too much.
“What? I look like an old guy?” Will lifted the dish into the double sink and ran the sprayer over it to remove the suds.
“No, of course not, you are certifiably hunk material. No wonder Tiffany is mad I am sharing rent with you. She probably thinks I have designs on you. Besides you’re only three years older than me.” Hanna tried to keep it sounding casual. Dropping Will’s girlfriend’s name would divert his attention right?
Will turned to look Hannah in the eye. “And do you?”
“What?” She said, trying to sound innocent.
“Do you want to take this friendship further than that awkward kiss we shared when we were teenagers?” Hanna could see Will was completely serious.
“I, I don’t know.” The words stumbled out, but they weren’t the right words. What was wrong with her? The answer was obvious, fear.
“Then let’s find out shall we?” Will moved, grasping Hannah around the waist and pulling her against his tall hard body then his mouth came down on her upturned lips.
Will had learned a thing or two about kissing women during the ensuing twelve years since he had last kissed Hannah and he used none of it consciously. This was about raw emotion and need.
Hannah responded to that emotion with her own need. Her lips clung to Will’s and she dropped the tea towel to bury her fingers in his thick,thick wavy auburn hair.
It was such a relief to finally get to touch him as she wanted. To feel that strong mouth take her kiss, experience the texture of his skin against hers as ran her hands down his broad back and under his shirt to touch his hot skin.
Will slid his own hands under her tank top and touched her pale skin. He could feel her respond, her nipples hardened under his touch, he devoured her mouth as his body responded too.
They broke the kiss, both breathing hard but still touching.
“I think the dishes can wait.” Hanna said huskily.
For an answer Will took Hannah up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom, kicking the door shut with his foot.
Well done, love the last line!
Was that steam from the washing up water *fans self*
Why yes I believe it was!
Thanks Yvonne!
Thanks Fiona!
Duh-aaannngg, Ivy! Makes me want to go wash up some dishes… (and that’s saying something!) Will’s a winner- wish he was in my kitchen!
I really appreciate that April, thanks!
Have fallen for Will! Love him! đ
Who doesn’t love a guy that can “do the dishes?” ; )
Gotta love a hero who kicks the door shut!
Yep. The dishes can wait. Good job, Ivy.
Ooh, I love this hint of long-standing history and what this could lead to đ
And such a sexy last line, indeed!
Ivy, you really seem comfortable with your plot, characters, and writing. That all translated into a delightful read here.
I liked how you revealed the coming change from friends to lovers by Will referencing “their youth kiss.” Your “designs on you” line is classic.
Good job!
Well now, anytime you have a hero who will kick the door shut I’m thinking you’re in for a great read. đ
Thanks All for the feedback!
I love it when he kicked the door shut. Steamy!
Phew – Will sure takes them from zero to 100 here! The insights into her changing emotions – and particularly why she doesn’t examine them all too clearly – are really nicely handled.
Thanks Sold Editors!
The time in the restaurant went by so fast to Danni, it was a like a blur. She listened intently to every word Oliver spoke. He had a way of describing things that make her feel like she was there with him while it happened. Some of the stories he told her about his work were so funny, she cried with laughter until her sides hurt. Danni watched in amazement, how easy it came to him to charm the waitress with his captivating and confident personality. By the end of the night he had them all, including the cook, eating out of his hands.
When Oliver left the table to use the rest room, one of the older waitresses came over to her. âIs there anything else I can get you two?â
âNo thank you.â Danni looked up at her smiling.
She placed the bill on the table and started to remove their empty plates then looked at Danni. âYou got a great catch there with Officer Rizzo, you know. Iâd treat him right if I were you. Thereâs line clear out the door of woman ready and willing to take your place if you wonât watch yourself. With me first on line, if I only younger.â Her smile narrowed.
âYes! I can see that!â Danni gave her half knowing smile, noticing Oliver was walking back to their table.
âOne thirty in the morning! Where the hell did the time go? She looked down at her watch and scooted out of her chair as Oliver approached the table. âItâs almost two in the morning. I have to get going.â
âTime flies when you are having fun.â He smiled forming those adorable dimples on his face.
âHmmâŚyes it was fun.â She bit her bottom lip watching him lean over the table to place some money on the table for the bill. Her cheeks grew red when she seen the corners of his lips curl up catching her checking out his ass.
“You ready?â He placed his hand on hers.
The night ended with Oliver walking Danni to her car and kissing her passionately until her body turned into an inferno.
âCan I see you tomorrow? Dinner at the beachâ he whispered, moving his mouth away from her lips. âI know a quaint restaurant in Treasure Island that serves great food and every Sunday they have this event called The Drum Circle. It’s s bunch of people getting together and playing all different types of drums.â
âOhâŚI heard of that. Danni responded with interest.Itâs supposed to be pretty cool.Have youâve been there before?â
âYeaâŚitâs really laid back. You almost feel like you went back in to the hippy era, very interesting. You might even smell a wave of weed.â He chuckled exposing those dimples again.
âThat sounds like a lot of fun.â She leaned against the car door. âCall me tomorrow with the plans. Iâve got to go before I fall asleep. Iâm so sleepyâ. She stretching her arms yawning.
Oliver gazed his eyes down at her mouth and brushed his thumb across her lip capturing them with his. âYou taste so sweetâ he bit her bottom lip gently. âIâll call you tomorrow to get your address.â then moved his lips away from hers.
She stuck her hand out the window, waving goodbye and adjusted her mirror to look at him one more time before driving away. He waved back then jumped in his truck with a broad smile on his face.
YepâŚDanni sighed. She was in big trouble with Officer Rizzo and those adorable dimples. She fixed her mirror again then turned the music on heading home.
Love a man with dimples.
Naughty to keep her out late!
Dimples on a guy…swoon.
Oliver’s a charmer.
Toni,
I think you have a really nice way of getting your story to the page. The characters are real and the scene is vivid.
I didn’t get the sense that Oliver and Danni were “best friends”–prior to their night out, who now realize they love each other. Still, I think your writing ability pulls off a convincing “cocktail for two” scene and lays a nice path on which to unfold this romance.
Dimples and a man who likes the Drum Circle in Treasure Island, love it.
What is it they say? “Hate to see you leave but love to watch you go?” Think Danni played that card & I sure can’t blame her! LOL
Love me an Officer & Oliver sounds divine, Toni!
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love dimples!
Would have liked to have seen more of that friends-to-lovers shift, but this is still a really fun scene – these two are obviously heading for a great next date đ
Love Oliver! đ
Tony Fairweather was a beautiful woman. No two ways about it.
Gray couldnât take his eyes off her. Heâd never seen her like this. She usually wore jeans and snug T-shirts that showed off her assets in a way that was a challenge for a guy in the friend zone. Sheâd been his best mate since her family moved onto the farm next door when sheâd been eight and heâd been twelve. Enough of a difference to give him the advantage but sheâd challenged it all the same.
Looking at her now, her ginger hair somehow all burnished like copper under the halo of white flowers it was hard to recall the freckle faced carrot top with two plaits flying as she raced her pony down to the creek. The white gown flowed out behind her as she made her way down the aisle, following her sisters and the niece who was a flower girl. Her dad looked proud as punch, one arm hooked through hers as she carried a giant bouquet of white roses and lilies. Her eyes, with the impossibly long lashes were lowered to the rose strewn carpet immediately in front of her.
It was perfect. Tony coming down the aisle to him. It was how it was meant to be.
A restless movement beside him distracted Gray from the impossible vision. His brother was watching her too, his face impassive. Ben should be the happiest man in the world, marrying Tony today. Heâd been the kind to appeal to Tony, stable, kind, responsible. That was why heâd left after heâd stuffed everything up with her six months ago. A lifelong friendship ruined by one stupid night when heâd given in to the urge to kiss her. His brotherâs girlfriend. If only heâd stopped at that.
She must have told Ben because his brother had been cold ever since. Even when heâd rung with the date of the wedding.
âYouâll be my best man, Gray. People would talk if my only brother didnât stand up with me at my wedding. Iâm not upsetting our parents.â
The music stopped as the bride reached the altar. Her father kissed her as he handed her over to Ben. The oldest bridesmaid took the bouquet and Gray stiffened as her eyes lifted to meet his. They glittered, bright as emeralds and he saw tears like dew on her lashes. Her hand, with the diamond engagement ring Ben had given her, rested on the mound of her stomach. He swallowed, the bow tie constricting his throat. Everyone was watching. Like they knew it was his fault. He opened his mouth, searching for the right words.
âI object.â
Wow! Powerful stuff! Beautiful description of the bride and what a twist! Great writing Fiona. Lots of weddings in this challenge.
I second the great twist! And fantastic imagery, Fiona
Good as always đ
Oh my love the description, felt like being right there.
Oh my goodness, Fiona! Beautiful descriptive writing as always! Your writing has the power to really grab the reader’s attention and wow! What a great way to end the excerpt!!! đ
Don’t stop there, Fiona!!!!
Haha…leave em wanting more…
Ooh, why do I get the feeling there’s a big, powerful story brewing in your wicked head? đ
Beautiful, Fiona!
I would have liked to have seen more dialogue break up the finely-written description here, Fiona.
That said, your description gives a good sense of looking in on an actual event. Nice lead up to the ending twist. Any ideas to continue?
I think there is a longer story in it Chris. I agree about the dialogue but it’s not really appropriate at a wedding đ
Not everyone is always so obedient, Fiona. đ
–Could have some silent “rah-rah” words mouthed from the “sidelines” by key secondary char, as the Bride enters, and she acknowledges with a twisted face over the interruption or silently mouths a bark back?
–A ringing cellphone that brings about a slight interruption, met with snide glances?
–An overzealous guest taking pics out of line, being told not to do so in pantomime by another guest as the Bride continue along?
All depends on what you’re going for and ultimately, your decision. đ
Considering there is about to be heaps of dialogue and action it doesn’t worry me too much. It’s a vignette so things happen before and after. In a book you probably wouldn’t notice a page without much dialogue in the midst of the action. Besides, if I turned it into a story I’d probably put a lot of the back-story from this somewhere else…like before he gets to the wedding so that would cut the length of his introspection back quite a bit.
Fiona, this is a powerful scene. I love the emotions you’ve evoked through Gray and her eyes glittering like emeralds with her hand on her stomach filled us in on her emotions. Want to read more for sure!
wow Great job! I never read where a guy objects at the wedding! I was wondering if he was going to or not!
What a cliffhanger! You sure know how to keep us wanting more, Fiona! We want to know more about what happened 6 months ago!
(This may be a little risky)
âAir New Zealand Flight NZ1 from London via Los Angeles is due to arrive at 10.29pm at Gate 3.â
Chloe heard the announcement she had been waiting for all week. She was so excited to be seeing her best friend again after 6 months. They had started their big OE together with a group of university friends, But Chloe had to come back home to Auckland after only 6 months abroad. They had kept in touch, Skyping at least once a week. It sounded like they had been having an awesome time and Chloe felt a little disappointed that she couldnât stay on longer.
Standing in the waiting area, watching as each passenger walked into view from customs clearance, she could feel the excitement pulsating through her veins. She felt like she wanted to literally jump for joy as she saw the sleek blonde hair of her friend round the corner. She knew she missed her friend immensely but didnât realize until today just how much.
âChloe!â
Chloe ran towards her best friend. âBianca!â Chloe shouted back.
Bianca dropped her hand luggage and stepped out from behind the trolley to greet Chloe. As they embraced Chloe felt a sudden surge in adrenaline and tried to stop the tears from welling up in her eyes. âGod I have missed you.â
As Chloe lifted her head to look at Biancas face she felt a rush of emotions that she had never felt towards anyone else before. Bianca was gorgeous and Chloe suddenly became very aware of how close they were to each other. Chloe had never had a really serious relationship before with anyone, male or female, and she felt a little confused. However looking into Biancaâs icy blue eyes she felt the need to place a tender kiss on her bee-stung pouty lips, but held back for fear of what Biancaâs reaction might be.
âIâve missed you too Chloe. It is so good to be back on kiwi soil.â Bianca lowered her head towards Chloe and as their lips lightly touched Chloe knew that she was never going let Bianca out of her sight again.
risky or risque. Maybe not category but nicely done.
Thanks Fiona
Yes I Thought It would be a bit risky with the way this was heading but thought I would write something a bit different.
I thought it was lovely! Lots of emotion and you described the girls beautifully. First love is the same for everyone, I think.
Nice build up!
Nicely done, Rebecca.
Great job!! Like Fiona said, risky or not, it is very well done. Loved it!
Nicely written scene, Rebecca. You capture Chloe and Bianca well. If it’s a full ms, why not try (“Harlequin’s”) Carina Press?
Thanks Heaps Everyone for your kind comments. Like Maggie mentioned above, I too get nervous when posting stuff. This forum is such a confidence booster.
It’s so great to see this variety, Rebecca – especially as you’ve handled it so well. A lovely and emotional scene!
Good writing! Nice build up.
A lovely piece of writing, Rebecca. đ
Lyle’s office door flew open, making him look up from the documents he had been signing.
Heather, who he considered to be more of a close friend than just his secretary of several years, burst into the room.
Her wide set blue eyes were sparkling, more than usual and deep colour stained her smooth porcelain skin. Something must have happened to get her into such a state. She looked happy yet on the verge of tears. Swiftly placing his pen onto his desk, he rose to his feet, aware of how his muscular build of over six feet, towered over her five foot three, making her appear even more fragile.
“You’ll never guess what has happened!” The words came out in a breathless rush as she came to stand in front of him, gazing up at him. Without giving him a chance to answer she continued. “He asked me to marry him!”
Lyle felt his temperature and every drop of blood in his body plummet to his feet as her words hit him with the force of a wrecking ball.
She frowned. “Why aren’t you saying anything, aren’t you happy for me?”
His heart was thundering against his ribcage as he tried to say something, form some congratulatory words, but found himself unable to.
Instead, the reality of his feelings for her, feelings which he had concealed even from himself in the guise of ‘friendship’ poleaxed him.
The fact that she was in a relationship hadn’t affected the strong bond they shared, as friends… until now.
His relationship with her suddenly felt threatened.
Blinking furiously as if trying to keep her emotions in check, she tucked a strand of stray brunette hair behind her ear and looked at him anxiously. “I was wondering on the way to work, that since I have no one else, and you meaning so much to me, could… could give me away? Will you Lyle? Will you give me away?”
He grey eyes stared straight into her. His mouth dry, “No.” ripped from him.
We are on a wedding theme roll today. This is lovely Calida.
Love the emotion in this! What a dilemma for Lyle.
Oh I could see the rising emotion, love it!
Thank you SO much Fiona, Jacqueline and Yvonne! Love you, lovely friends! đ xoxoxo
Oh I really feel for your heroine – so gentle and lovely đ
Calida – poor Heather. But I can’t wait to see where this goes.
I would love to see where this is going!!
Thank you so much Charlotte, Harriet and Carol, for your incredibly kind comments! đ xoxoxo
Oh, oh. What’s she going to do now? I wonder what will happen to them?
Nice touch for a boss/secretary romance, Calida–Heather asking Lyle that.
Poor Lyle. He should’ve acted sooner. Oh, well, he’ll be there…giving her away, right? What could possible turn that event?…
Good style, writing, and setup.
Poor Lyle, now he’s got to figure how to tell her he’s in love with her. Love the last line, it’s a page turner for sure.
Oh, Lyle- I want to give him a hug. And so wonderfully written, Calida. Nothing better than a man pining away for his woman & I get the feeling Lyle’s going to whip out some game & fight for her!
Poor Lyle. And I bet Heather is as initially shocked by his refusal as me. I can’t help but wonder if he will speak his mind, or try to cover up his out burst. Wonderful entry.
Thank you SO much to everyone for the incredibly kind comments! It’s such an amazing feeling, being part of such a kind, talented and generous writing community. đ xoxoxo
What a great way to force Lyle to confront his feelings for Heather! Would love to know how she reacts to his very decisive ‘no’!
Thank you so much, Sold Editors! đ
I hated her. I never believed I was the kind of person who could form a total, all encompassing hatred for someone based on one superficial glance. Normally I waited until I knew a person before forming a judgement. I had always liked to think of myself as a fair minded and accepting kind of a girl. Oh well, just goes to show… So yes, I totally hated her. In fact, if possible, as I watched her drape her perfect, flawless form all over Leon, I found that my hatred had even managed to grow a little more. I mean seriously, what did he see in her? Well besides her obvious, rather showy charms… where was the substance? The character? Leon had always had terrible taste in women but this time he had excelled himself with a new low. I slouched off to the bar, unable to stand the nauseating sight a moment longer.
“Drink pet?” Asked Kit from behind the bar, furnishing me with a vodka before I even asked, he knew me well.
“Have you seen her? Leon’s latest?” I said moodily.
Kit nodded. “Sure, pretty girl”
I scowled at him “yeah pretty but nothing else! Vacuous is the word that springs to mind” I said, my tone dripping venom.
Kit paused in his work, looking at me, a slight smirk on his face.
“What?!” I demanded.
“You- for the past two years how many times have we been here, you brooding over a drink and spouting poison about Leon’s latest fling?”
I thought for a moment, he was right. “Well maybe a few?”
Kit snorted derisively, “and the rest!”
“He has rubbish taste in women” I explained defensively.
“Oh wake up girl! You just hate them because they aren’t you! You and Leon are made for each other but you are both just too blind to see it and until that changes there are gonna be a lot more girls for him and a lot more vodkas for you!”
“No way!!!” I protested, me and Leon? “Not a chance! I don’t have feelings for him, he is my best mate, I mean yeah, he is handsome, funny, intelligent, caring and he looks really, really fine when he is working on cars and gets all dirty and disheveled…” I trailed off as I realized what I was saying and I groaned, leaning my head on the bar.
“Told you” said Kit smugly.
“Oh God” I moaned, reeling from this unexpected emotional epiphany. Kit was right. I wanted Leon, as in really wanted Leon and I was big time jealous.
“Kit you have to help me! What am I going to do?” I asked desperately.
“You want him? Well girl, you’re gonna have to fight for him.” Kit replied nodding towards the couple in question.
Turning around on my stool I cast a glance at them. She was all over him like a parasite, all over my Leon.
Scowling I turned back to Kit who was watching me with undisguised amusement.
Swallowing my drink I smacked the glass down on the bar with a loud bang “Bring it on!” I muttered. This was a battle I was determined to win.
Great scene.
Feisty – Loved it! Could happily read more đ
Go girl! Go get your man! Great scene, loved it.
She is going to bring the heat!
Thank you all for the lovely comments, they have made my Saturday (and having spent the whole day doing laundry and housework, I needed a pick me up!) đ
Fantastic writing, Karen! đ
Ahhh thank you, that has made me happy this morning and totally made up for my children waking me up at 5.30am! đ
Loved this, Karen! Great work!
Thank you Harriet đ
Cool!! I hope she gets him and that he’s worthy of her.
After so much time wasted not realising her true feelings, nothing is going to get in the way of that girl now! What is it they say? All’s fair in love and war!
It’s difficult to pull off a first person, Karen, but you’ve nicely done that here.
Good scene, characters, and telling of your story. Perhaps a WWA Diva-like tale in the making?
I don’t know the heroine’s name, but I really like her and I think that Leon and the readers are in for some fun!
I’m in complete agreement w/Vicki. I could totally toss back a few w/this heroine & know I was in for a great girls night out! Leon better get ready!
Wow thanks guys, totally overwhelmed by your lovely comments… I have to say this challenge has really stuck in my mind, very tempted to actually try to turn this idea into something. Thanks for your feedback people đ
I liked this!
Leon doesn’t stand a chance! A very contemporary, believable take on how she realizes she fancies him, and needs to act on it before it’s too late!
Thank you!
And thank you Karen Christopherson
Best friends or lovers, where did the concept come from? Maddy was beginning to wonder. Here she stood all smiles pretending to be happy that her best friend was getting engaged to her best friend as in male. They did everything together, Ben and her, laughed, watched movies, sighed and cried. There they stood together declaring their love to the world where did that leave her? Then was the fact she had told her she had an affair. How can she let Ben suffer with such lies? How can she stand by and let the man she finally realised she loved, not just as a friend, but as the man, who was going to marry a women who was a liar who had betrayed him? Her lips parted…..
Ha…this is getting intense.
I think I sense another objection!
Oh, wow! This is getting interesting…
Interesting enough, but some of the scene seems too rushed.
I agree with Harriett, another objection please.
What a moment to end on!! Poor Maddy, what a terrible situation to be stuck in!
I really feel for Maddy! đ
Interesting. I wonder what happens…I would have told on her!!!
So, that was him. The man she couldnât stop talking about. Richard lounged against the bar and watched Lori dancing with a tall muscle man. He had a good view as they were on the edge of the dance floor. He wondered what all the fuss was about. The guy didnât look up to much from where he was standing. But Lori hadnât shut up about him. Heâd taken her out the previous Saturday for their usual pizza and beer night and heâd listened while sheâd rabbited on about this man sheâd met at the gym, who she was convinced was going to ask her out. She had looked younger that night as her eyes sparkled in anticipation. When she had told him she couldnât wait to get into this guyâs pants, the pizza had turned to ash in his mouth. Not that he was jealous or anything. They were just friends. Had been since his best mate, Pete, had dumped Lori unceremoniously when he met another woman. Lori had been devastated and sobbed in his arms for hours. He had adopted the unfamiliar chivalrous role and been there for her offering comfort and support. When heâd got over feeling sorry for her, he had realized how much he enjoyed her company and they had become firm friends.
Muscle man pulled Lori closer to him and Richard tensed, nearly spilling his champagne. Charity Balls werenât really his thing but he had intended to take Lori as a treat. Mr Sleazeball had got in first. Richard couldnât take his eyes off Lori, she looked stunning. Heâd never seen her wearing a ball gown with her hair in an elaborate up-do, curls escaping and caressing her face. Heâd only ever seen her wearing leggings and baggy sweatshirts. She didnât wear much make-up when they were together either. But tonight, she looked like a model. Her skin was unblemished and silky smooth, her eyes were heavy-lidded and smoky and her lips were full and lush. Richard took a deep breath and dragged his gaze away. There were a few women around the bar trying to catch his eye but he ignored them.
He looked back and caught Loriâs expression as she gazed up at her date. Richard knew that look well. Pete had been on the receiving end of it often. Usually as a prelude to them leaving together for an early night. Muscle manâs hands groped Loriâs butt and Richard couldnât stand it any longer. He plonked his champagne glass on the bar and strode over to where they were dancing.
âMay I cut in?â He didnât wait for an answer but shouldered Mr Slimeball out of the way.
Too surprised to react, the guy stepped back and Richard took the opportunity to whisk Lori into the middle of the crowd of dancers.
âWhat the hell do you think youâre doing?â Lori looked angry and puzzled.
âDancing. What else?â
âBut thatâs the guy I told you about, the one that fancies me.â
âI know.â
âSo why did you ruin it for me? I thought you were my friend. We talked about him on Saturday, donât you remember?â
âI remember.â
âWe were getting on so well, I think he really liked me.â
âWhy wouldnât he like you, youâre gorgeous.â
Loriâs look changed from puzzled anger to speculation. She frowned and studied his face. âRich?â
âWhat?â
âWhatâs going on?â
âNothing. Weâre dancing. Itâs a charity ball. People dance.â
âWhatâs going on with you? Why donât you want me to dance with him?â
âHeâs not good enough for you.â
âHow do you know? You donât know anything about himâŚâ
âI know because nobody is good enough for you.â
Loriâs expression softened and she leant in closer so he could smell her hair. It smelt delicious. âI think you should explain yourself because I need to ââ
He kissed her, long and deep, their tongues dancing and their bodies close together. She must have felt his arousal for she pulled away and looked him in the eyes. âAh, I think I understand.â
âI knew youâd catch on. Weâre on the same wave-length you and I, always have been, itâs just taken me a while to realise it. But youâve always known it, havenât you? Thatâs why you were trying to make me jealous wasnât it? To get me to act?â
Then she gave him a look heâd never seen before. Not simply lust like the look sheâd given Pete and Mr Muscles. This look had warmth and promise. The promise not just of one night but a lifetime together. A look that was just for him.
Gotta like a guy that takes when she wants him to take.
Loved this, Jacqueline! Love how it all unravels to reveal Rich’s feelings for Lori. đ
I love the idea that Rich had already begun to realise he loved her and was ready to act on it – only for Mr Sleazeball to muscle in first!
And I LOVED the fact she was ballsy enough to take matters into her own hands for the both of them đ
Lots of action on the dance floor…nice.
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments!
Love a man who shoulders in. Great addition, Jacqueline.
Aww, so sweet! I love it!
Nice touches, Jacqueline. Enjoyable read.
Gotta love a man who takes control when he knows what he wants.
Really loving the male POV take on this theme – Richard’s emotional and sexual frustration is really well-captured here! Love that he cuts in on Mr Slimeball and takes charge đ
Thanks Sold Editors! And also to everyone else who commented. Such a lovely group of writers, feel privileged to be part of these challenges.
nice job!
âWeatherman said nothing about rain,â Stephen mentioned to no one in particular. It was just a way to break the silence. He flipped on the windshield wipers. âYou could run into snow heading up the passes.â
No response.
At the stop light, he glanced over to Claire. She sat slumped in the seat, elbow resting on the door and her chin planted in the palm of her hand. He smiled and a quiet laugh tickled his throat. He remembered seeing her across the library at USC that rainy, cool day in November. Sheâd curled up in a window seat, her dark locks brushed behind her ear and her head leaning against the rain washed window. Sheâd pulled her knees against her chest and wrapped her arms around them. A 6.9 earthquake could have brought the walls around her down. Claire was so lost in thought, sheâd never have known.
They had worked in the same clinic. Claire was the front desk attendant and him as a veterinarian. Pleasantries were all theyâd exchanged because she longed for her hometown boyfriend and he definitely did not want some small town, small minded girl.
But, there had been something about Claire that day. Something he couldnât name or even describe. The defined, yet feminine curve of her jaw, the graceful length of her neck, or the way her wavy, dark locks cascaded over her shoulder. Who knew— All he knew was how his heart panged with cupidâs direct hit. Heâd panged ever since.
âHey,â He took the opportunity to caress her leg, just above the knee.
Her hand fell onto his, stopping the motion. Claire flashed him a soft smile that didnât quite make it to her eyes. âIâm sorry, what?â
He gripped her hand in his, her green eyes, even in the dim dash lights were heavy with thought. âTomorrow, snow, mountain passes?â
The light turned green and Stephen proceeded.
âWeâll be fine.â She returned to her previous pose, removing her hand from his.
âWhatâs on your mind?â
âNothing, just tired, I guess. Long drive tomorrow. Long week with parental units.â She readjusted herself in the seat so she faced forward. From the corner of his eye he watched her rake her slender fingers through her thick, ebony mane.
âClaire,â he flipped on the blinker to turn into her Condo complex. âI could fly you, save the long drive. I havenât had the plane out in a while.â He pulled into the empty spot next to Claireâs BMW. âSave you miles on your new car.â
âThank you, but Iâll drive.â She unfastened her seatbelt and her face scrunched up. âOh this rain. Skyeâs passed out.â
Stephen peered into the rearview mirror. Skye sat strapped into her booster seat; her head plopped to the right, arms splayed out on both sides and Sammy Seagull dangling precariously by wingtip in her hand. Her full lips pushed into a pout. He chuckled quietly. âYou go unlock the door, Iâll get Skye and Sammy in the house.â
He watched Claire jog, how her bottom moved and the rhinestones on the pockets glistened in the lamp light. He dipped his chin to his chest and blew out a quiet breath. Eventually, he would just explode and she would be left wondering whyâcompletely clueless that she drove the beats of his heart.
âCome on, Sweetheart,â He unfastened Skyeâs seatbelt and scooped her out of the booster seat and closed the door.
This was just so lovely to read. Very tender and heartwarming. đ
Lovely visuals.
Beautiful, especially the last few lines. đ
Really enjoyed this- very moving.
“she drove the beats of his heart.” Great phrase, Kris.
Awesome, Kris! Love this.
Thank you for all the wonder and encouraging comments!
Such a sweet scene.
Really nice work, Kris. Tender, caring scene with fine, expressive emotion. You capture the ride quite well and make it real and the characters’ own.
The 6.9…hugging her knees, Skye asleep in the back–three wonderful vivid touches that further bring this piece alive.
Oh how lovely! Stephen is so quietly heroic! I hope he finds an excuse to tell Claire how he feels soon – he deserves a wonderful romance with her!
This was sweet. I liked the drove the beats of his heart.
Sophie waved to the other patrons in the bakery, tucked the goodies into her oversized purse while grabbing her half-full coffee, and headed out the door. She was deep in thought about what to wear tonight. Maybe the little black dress she kept in the back of her closet but never wore. Those were classic right? What better time to wear it than now? Jake had left too many options open by withholding information about where they were going. Maybe just nice jeans and a dressy top? You could never go wrong with that kind of outfit in Pioneer. She was still mulling over the idea when she smashed into a decidedly familiar male chest packaged in unmistakable dark brown.
âOof!â the aforementioned chest rumbled against her.
Sophie was speechless as she watched what remained of her iced skinny mocha run down his chest in little mini rivers. Man I wish that chest was bare. Iâd lick that coffee right off of him. I would start at the hollow of his throat, nip at the flat disks of his nipples and I would make sure to pay special attention to those washboard abs his shirt was now plastered to. Iâd make sure I didnât miss a drop as I worked my way down, biting and licking-
âSophie? Are you ok? You havenât said anything?â
She managed to drag her gaze up from his coffee adorned midsection to his face. He was looking down at her in concern and all she could think about was rubbing her lips over his and everything else on his delectable body.
âIf I told you I wasnât ok, would you offer to kiss it and make it better?â Apparently knowing the man of her dreams had been harboring a secret crush gave her some newfound confidence. She watched the fire heat in his eyes at her words.
âI could probably be convinced. In fact it would take very little convincing to kiss you anywhere you wanted me to Ms. Black.â
Shivering at his words, Sophie suddenly remembered sheâd just dumped half of a large cup of iced coffee on the poor man. âOh jeez. Iâm sorry. I mean about the coffee, not the kissing thing. The kissing thing is good. Coffee bad. Oh. Coffee isnât bad, I mean spilling the coffee on you was bad.â
âI knew what you meant babe. Donât you get nervous on me again. You start to babble a bit when you get nervous.â
âRight. No getting nervous. No babbling. Iâve got this.â Smiling shyly up at him she brushed away as many of the remaining coffee droplets as possible off his uniform shirt. Flicking them away, she let her hands return to rest on his warm and now slightly sticky chest. âGood thing I didnât get any whipped cream.â
âI think we can save the whipped cream for later.â
Cute
Thanks! Apparently I was so excited to post something that I skipped over the “best friend” thing. Oops!
Woo- (fanning) nice & steamy! Nice! đ
Like the visuals, Sasha.
Even without best friends this was fun!
I think I might have babble a wee bit myself if I ran into this hunk.
What a fun, spunky piece, Sasha. Nice, colorful phrasing/words. And how can you go wrong with coffee, abs, and…”little mini rivers”–love that!
Everything bounces along so well. And, ooo-la-la, more to come? Pass the fire extinguisher, no?
Good job!
It’s obviously going to be one hot date! Love seeing how they’re starting to get comfortable flirting with each other, really fun.
Thanks everyone! This is my first time trying my hand at a MS and I’m having a blast! đ
Nicely done, Sasha! đ
I loved this! More please. Hot stuff. lol.
I’m working on it. 25k in right now. đ
âThanks for coming to pick me up,â Heroine grinned, pulling out of his arms and landing a quick punch on one bicep. âToned as ever, I seeâ
âStill able to play a mean game of touch football?â Hero challenged, trying to cover up the fact he hadnât quite been ready for her move out of his embrace so quickly.
âLet me guess, youâve all planned a surprise game in the park and a BBQ?â she teased.
He shrugged good-humouredly. She didnât need to know that, for a while there, heâd contemplated talking the guys into ditching the BBQ, so that he could take her for a romantic welcome home meal- just the two of them â tonight.
Heâd stopped himself just in time. Heroine was meant to be his best friend. His go-to girl. His confidante.
He wasnât supposed to have fallen in love with her. He wasnât supposed to fall in love, full stop. He was a player. Everyone knew it. And heâd seen first hand what happened when a player fell in love, got married, had a kid and then fell out of love. They made mistakes which hurt people. Hero wasnât about to make the same mistakes as his father had.
So, here he was, in love with his best friend and unable to do a darned thing about it.
Heâd only realised it yesterday morning, when heâd found himself washing his best date jeans and tee, cleaning his flat andâŚfor goodâs sakeâŚvaleting his battered old 4×4. All in preparation for picking her up from the airport after a year away with her work. Still, she might not notice.
Heroine yanked open the door and flopped into the passenger seat. A moment later sitting back up, having a good look around and emitting a low whistle.
âWhoâs the girl?â
âWhat girl?â
She arched one knowing eyebrow at him.
âHero, youâve cleaned your 4X4. Youâve got your lucky jeans on.â
âNah, I did that for you,â he answered truthfully.
Her peal of laughter confirmed his suspicions. Heroine was never going to take him seriously.
âSo, howâs the high-flying career?â
Did he detect a beat of hesitation before she answered him?
âStill flying-high,â she laughed. âThank goodness.â
Picking up her suitcase and trying not to react to the comfortable feel of her arm sliding through his as they left the airport, he considered the stunning, intelligent, driven woman on his arm.
âAre you pleased to be back?â
She flashed him a sharp look.
âYou know I hate it.â
âOnly because you have this misplaced complex that youâre still the skinny, lanky nerdy geek and everyone else is a cool kid.â
She shrugged, obviously not wanting to answer him. Hero sighed. It didnât matter how many times he told her, she wouldnât â or maybe couldnât â believe him that she was now the proverbial stunning swan. He was going to have to find some other way to prove it to her, because until she loved herself, he was pretty sure she wasnât about to believe anyone else could.
And even if a player like him could never make her happy, she deserved to find it with someone.
âThis time home youâll see,â he assured her.
The silence pressed heavily on him. He felt like he was missing something. He turned to face her, resisting the impulse to fold his arms across his chest.
Heroine licked her lips nervously.
âI guess this is as good a time as any. They offered me the promotion Iâve been desperately after for years. I fly back out next week. For good.â
*cries for hero*
He’s gonna fight for her right? Please!
Oh man, keep going!
Wow , thank you all so much, such lovely comments! đ
Charlotte – poor guy. He’s playing the ultimate beat the clock on this one.
Oh no! He better hurry and make his move.
My heart aches for hero! Poor guy!
Oh no! He’s got to go after her. Love the scene!!
I would have liked the h/h to have had names, Charlotte, since you put so much else into this piece of good writing, with nice visuals, and likable characters.
Hi Chris, thanks for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the rest of it but I can see what you mean about the H/h not having names. I confess I’ve been guilty of this in every challenge since the start – sorry! Its not that I can’t be bothered, I promise. It might sound daft (and perhaps a little presumptuous) but since I got back into writing 10months ago I’m afraid it has been a quirk of mine that I name H/h as Hero/ Heroine (usually for about the first 20,000words). Then as I slowly get to know them and their personalities – the perfect names (for me) suddenly pop into my head. But if I pick names myself it seems to hamper my flow as I picture them a particular way.
But I appreciate the comment and I’ll work on doing it sooner, I promise. đ
No apology necessary, Charlotte. đ Wow! Just ten months? You go girl! You’re certainly wearing a writer’s cap!
Sometimes, I believe, for certain reasons/individuals, book proposals are sub in such “name H/h” fashion. So, your style here is in good company. đ
The proof of the pie is always in the eating. If you write well enough for what Harlequin’s seeking, they’re not going to worry about something that’s so easily fixable–like missing character names.
Plot, execution, and writing ability will ultimately help any work move to contract most, not character names only. đ
You seem to have a winning formula for penning great pros with holding the char names in check for a while. Always go with what works best for you. đ
Love his embarrassment over the steps he goes to for her – so believable and sweet! Also how she clearly doesn’t have a clue he’s into her…they’re going to have one hell of a fun week with him proving it đ
The reason I thought she might have guessed how he felt was the line ‘Heroine licked her lips nervously’. Why would she be nervous if they were just friends? Or am I completely off the mark with this?!
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for your comments, and to answer your question; You and the Editors are both right! – it depends whose POV you’re in… đ
In Hero’s POV, he takes the nervous licking of lips to imply that she’s suddenly on to him but feels awkward because she doesn’t return his feelings. He thinks she, like he, believes he would never be anything more than a player who would let her down.
If you’re looking from her POV, it’s the hint that she is nervous and unsure about telling him her big news, because she likes him too. But although this although the promotion IS a great career opportunity for her, part of the reason for taking it is because she feels she needs to finally put some real distance between them. She has always had a crush on him but believes he is way above her league and he would never even consider dating anyone as geeky as her.
I found this hard to convey in a short snippet, but that was what was in my head when I thought about the characters.
Betcha wish you’d never asked, huh? đ LOL
Actually, Charlotte, I love your answer! It proves what I’ve always believed, that a good writer can pack so much meaning into a short scene and I think you’ve done exactly that. One of the things I love about these challenges is that you can really dig deep for motivation, inner conflict etc and it is all there. I think I might add stuff of my own though. Like the idea that she hates home (or does she really?) and he loves it so she might believe that it wouldn’t be fair to Hero to tell him how she really feels? Does she have a choice of her dream profession or her dream man? Can she have both? Does she see him as a player or is that just his interpretation of himself? I could go on all night (and would love to!) but I better stop here. Thanks for answering my question. Can’t wait for the next challenge!!
Thanks Editors – good job she has the week off work perhaps! LOL
OMG no, she can’t go! Loved the fact that they knew each other so well. Great tension in this scene and the subtle hints of how they really feel for each other. And the way you blended the backstory in with the action and dialogue. Stunning writing, Charlotte
Noooooooooo!!! Don’t go!!! Absolutely love the way you have written this piece, Charlotte! đ
So heartbreaking! And love how he spruced up for her- something about a man that goes the extra mile! đ
Wow, thank you all so much, such lovely comments! đ
(Put last comment in wrong place – doh!)
I so feel sorry for the guy. He really seems to get her! How’s the babies? It was you who had the sick babies wasn’t it? Last time? Sorry if I’m wrong.
Hi Karen,
Ahh you’re so lovely! Yes it was me (not last challenge, but the one before) – they are VERY well, thanks so much for remembering! We have been in France for the last four weeks (my work, with Mum babysitting) – and they are having a ball on the beach and in paddling pool. I think the hot weather and fresh air has helped them clear the last of it out of their little bodies! Thanks again for asking! đ
Glancing around his friendsâ living room, Cal sat in his usual spot on the sofa in front of the big flat screen tv. âWhereâs Skeet?â
Andy sipped his long neck and shrugged. âShe mentioned something about a date.â
âA date? But itâs Friday night and the Sox are playing the Yankees.â Cal had looked forward to the baseball game all week. He, Andy, and Andyâs twin sister always spent Friday evenings together. Even on those Fridays when Andy was on duty at the fire station, Cal and Skeet hung out. They watched the Red Sox or the Bruins or old Seinfeld reruns in the off-season. Fridays were for him and Skeet. Oh yeah, and Andy, too.
âOh hey, Cal, I didnât know you were here.â
Cal turned at the sound of her voice. He sputtered and coughed on the sip of beer heâd just taken. What was Skeetâs voice doing on the knockout entering the room? He was used to seeing her in jeans, t-shirt, a pony tail and baseball cap. This version was wearing a short dress, her hair around her shoulders and lip gloss. His Skeet wearing lip gloss? And she had legs. Boy, did she ever! And that thick, shiny hair. Who knew?
âEarth to Cal.â She wiggled her fingers in front of his face.
âHuh?â What was he, fifteen and struck dumb by hormones? Heâd known for years that his pal was a girl. Heâd chosen to overlook it, valuing her friendship over anything else.
She perched on the arm of the sofa and a subtle flowery scent hit him, making his heart thump faster. With a shake of her head, she grabbed his beer and took a sip. âThanks. So, does Buckholz have his pitching mojo tonight?â
Before Cal could make his thick tongue work, sheâd handed him back the bottle. âI forgot something. Let Jeremy in when he gets here.â
After sheâd disappeared back upstairs, Cal brought the bottle to his lips. Strawberries. He bet that lip gloss tasted much better on her warm lips than the cold glass of his bottle. He shifted in his seat, setting the beer down with a thump.
âWhatâs got into you tonight?â Andy grumbled.
The doorbell chimed and Cal jumped up. âIâll get it.â
Cal swung the door open and gave the dude standing there his best glower. âWhat you want?â
âUhâŚis Mel here?â
âThereâs no Mel here.â Cal started to close the door.
âWait! Iâm supposed to be meeting MelâŚer, Amelia here.â
Amelia? She hated that name, preferring instead the nickname he and Andy had given her as kids when she trailed after them. Sheâd been as annoying as a mosquito back then. Of course that was before Cal knew she had those legs. Those lips. That hair.
Cal narrowed his eyes at the other guy. âWhat year was Carl Yastrzemski inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?â
âWhat?â
âWrong answer. 1989. How far was Ted Williams longest home run?â
âI donât see whatââ
âWrong. 502 feet. Sorry, no Mel for you!â Cal shut the door in his face.
âCalvin Donaldson,â Skeet snapped from behind him. âWhat do you think youâre doing?â
Sucking in his breath, Cal turned and stepped forward. “Believe me, he wasn’t for you.”
âAnd how would you know that?â She tapped her foot.
âBecauseâŚâ Cal advanced another step. âBecause if youâre going out with anyone tonight, itâs going to be me.â
âIs that so?â She took a step forward.
Andy appeared in the doorway, a beer dangling between his fingers. âLook, I donât know whatâs got into you two, but some of us are trying to watch the game so I suggest you take it elsewhere.â
Cal quickly tucked in his shirt, tossed aside his cap, ran his fingers through his hair and reached for Skeetâs hand. âShall we?â
Skeet took his hand and smiled. âI thought youâd never ask.â
Love it! Another feisty woman who had to take charge as the man was slow on the uptake! Interesting how many of these are written from Hero’s point of view.
Oh well done, I want more!
Carol – I just love this.
Carol this was great! I want to know what happens on that date!
Spot on, Carol. Colorful language shines. Some real lol moments and wonderful descriptions, too. Loved the Q&A “wrong” session and the way you brought the piece to its end.
With your clever BB backdrop, and wit-filled carry through, this work is really charming.
Well done!
Haha, love that he grills the other guy on baseball! Very fun and pacy.
Take charge kind of guy. At least he got in before it was too late.
Oh this made my morning! Love Amelia’s nickname, Cal’s possessive streak & their easy banter. Really loved this!
đ
Loved this, Carol! Love the way Cal handled her date to get what he wanted, Amelia! đ
Awesome! love it!
I really liked the part how he quizzed him at the door. It was funny.
Camden Bishop stood in the quiet hallway of the high rise apartment building, pushed the doorbell, and grimaced as the corresponding chime echoed. She was going to kill him for this.
He counted to ten and rang the bell again.
One ⌠two ⌠three ⌠four ⌠five ⌠six ⌠seven ⌠eight. He hovered his finger over the button.
The door swung open. âWhat?â
Finn Page yawned the word as she rubbed one hand over her eyes and then scooped her tangled hair out of her face. Inky black waves matched the stripes in the Blackhawks jersey falling off one shoulder. She squinted up at him. âCam? Is everything okay?â
He lifted the bright red fabric to cover her collarbone. It was still warm from bed, which meant she was still soft and naked underneath it.
The fabric slid off the other shoulder. He would not look at her cleavage, or her legs, or her bright pink toenails. He smothered a snarl. Why couldnât she still sleep in flannel like she used to when sheâd spent the night with his little sister?
She shuffled out of the way, and he stepped inside. Her bedroom was in clear view, the messy sheets a temptation.
âYeah, yeah,â he muttered as he charged down the hall to the living room and looked out her windows as dawn lightened the sky. âJust ⌠with all the racket last night I forgot to ask if youâll check on my place while Iâm gone.â
For self-preservation, he stared at the photos scattered around the room. Most of them were her family and friends, some were his family. Some were formal occasions, most were casual. One was with him, taken after Gavinâs christening. He was holding the nephew they shared.
This was why there wasnât any flannel. She wasnât the same quiet little bookworm whoâd hung out with Evie. This was the woman who owned a successful business. She rubbed elbows with Chicagoâs elite at every cultural event in town, but was still comfortable on the first base line or at center ice.
Or last night, at his going away party. Heâd danced with her and answered all her questions about his assignment, his safety, what heâd hoped to accomplish. And then her date had confessed the surprise he was planning.
âYou could have called me,â she yawned again.
He pulled the key from his pocket and waggled it at her.
Snatching it, she dropped it on the table. âYou could have left it with the door man.â
âI donât have a door man.â
âI do,â she grumbled. âSo what? You wanted to torture me with sleep deprivation?â
He took a deep breath. âPaulâs planning a vacation for the two of you to St. Bartâs.â
Her eyes widened before she smacked him on the shoulder. âWow. Thanks for ruining the-â
âDonât go.â
âWhy? You canât possibly tell me heâs a jerk. You introduced us. â
âHave you slept with him?â
She straightened her spine and tilted her chin to add to her height. âWhat the ⌠who do you think you are?â She spun on her heel, exposing the curve of her hip and the angry tears in her eyes.
He caught her as she reached entryway, clearly intending to kick him out. Pushing her against the door, he put his hands on her waist. She was still warm and she smelled like heaven. âYes or no, Finn.â
âNo,â she gritted.
Thank God. He pressed his lips to her stiff ones, flicking his tongue across them and nibbling until they softened. He teased her, luring her tongue from behind her teeth and then tangling with it until her arms wound around his neck and she softened against him.
Sliding his hands down her body, he reached the end of the jersey and stroked her bare skin.
Finn dragged free, and Cam stared into her eyes. The brown boundaries of her irises faded to maple, then gold, and finally exploded into a deep, smoky green. They were the eyes of a forest fairy. âThatâs why, Sprite.â
She pushed him away, shaking and breathless. Which made him feel better, because he wasnât sure which way was up.
âYouâre leaving for a month, and you choose now to do this?â she asked. âYouâre on your way to the airport, and you just stop by, leave me your spare key, and kiss me silly?â
He shrugged. âUmm, yeah.â And he wanted to do it again. He closed the distance.
âYou want me to wait?â
He nodded, looping his arms over her shoulders and lowering his head to hers.
Ducking under his elbow, she danced away with a wicked grin. âThen you have to wait, too.â
Really love how you set up the tension between his attraction to her, and the reasons why he hasn’t acted on it…until now! Great how she turns the tables on him at the end too đ
Thanks, Editors! It was loads of fun as usual. Love chasing the plot bunnies to see which ones may actually play out.
Love this. I read it about three times trying to figure out why it was in swear prison.
Thank you, Fiona. I’m glad you like it.
Love this!! I still haven’t figured out why it was in jail.
Thanks, Carol! Glad it got paroled!!
Unique, fun style, Harriet. Another classic sub. đ
Thanks, Chris! Glad you liked it.
Love, love, love, this and your heroine’s name!
Thank you, Sasha. On both counts. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Loved this, Harriet! đ
Thanks, Calida! Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh weel done!
Thanks, Yvonne!
I giggled at the beginning. I could really feel his impatience!
Thanks, Karen. Yeah, Cam’s not really the shy, retiring type. đ
Hidden in the shadows, she shudders uncontrollably as she wades through the three stages of shock.
How could this have happened?
As her heart drowns in pain her throat is constricted by the handful of pills that she just inhaled. Desperate and alone she reaches for her cellphone.
Sobbing, she cries out to him in a whisper. “Logan, I need you.”
“Natalya?”
“Help me, please!”
The noise of the crowd drives him onto the street, and fear takes root in his bones. “Natalya, where are you? What’s wrong babe?”
“I can’t take it anymore. I’m so tired.”
Racing to his car he hears nothing but the softness of her voice and the vicious whip of the wind.
“WHERE ARE YOU?”
With a brittle laugh, she sighs, “Where I always am. I’m at home.”
“I’m just around the corner. I’m coming Natty.”
Slurring, she replies, “No; I don’t want to interrupt your evening. I just…I want you to know how much you mean to me; how important you are and have been to my life.”
“Natty, have you been drinking?”
“Of course not.”
“Let me in; I’m outside.”
“I can’t. I can’t get up. Please, I don’t wanna go.”
Rumbling through his pocket he finds his keys. Her scent and his instincts drives him straight to her. Crouching low he cups her face in his hands. Barley conscious, she mumbles nonsense to him.
“What have you done Natty baby?”
Patting her cheeks he reaches for the lamp plug. Casting a bright glow on the room the answer to his question lies beneath her left thigh. Reaching for the object he curses as he peers at the empty pill bottle.
Collapsing alongside her, tears fill his eyes as he calls 911.
The ambulance ride is filled with calls to her family and a few of their mutual friends. Anything to distract himself from the very real possibility that his best friend just may die tonight.
~ ~ ~
The wait in the hospital waiting room is excruciating as family and friends file inside in a panic. And although he is surrounded by the familiar he has never felt so desperately alone. Each breath burns as it hits his lungs, threatening to drive him to his knees. This can’t be happening. They are a team; forever and always.
A brief strike of anger overcomes him, and like a rabid dog he cannot sit still. He is too aggravated to be touched, yet hands continue to find their way onto his skin.
“Logan honey, there you are. I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“Ashley, what are you doing here?”
“I managed to reach your brother and he told me where you were.”
“Please remind me to thank him later,” he mumbles.
She laughs in that whiny way that she seems to have perfected.
“You look tired honey, lets get you home.”
“I’ll meet you there later. I want to wait until I can see her.”
“That could be hours Logan. She doesn’t need you here. There is nothing that you can do for her now.”
“She is my best friend, and I need to be here for her. It’s not like I’ll be able to rest anyway.”
Clasping his hands, she pouts as she pleads with him.
“Stop it Ashley. Go home. I will call you later.”
“Logan, her mother and father are right over there; I think she can do without you for the night. I, however, need you now.”
“Ashley!”
“What Logan? I am so sick of this.”
Pulling her to him, he growls into her ear, “Keep your voice down. This is not the place.”
She hisses, “I am sick of you putting her before me. How long do you expect me to continue being number two in your life?”
“We have been friends since we were ten. She has always been there for me and now she needs me, and there is nowhere else that I would rather be.”
“You need to decide Logan, me or her. Which one of us do you love the most? Which one of us can you not live without?”
His gut tightens as realization hits. Pressing his lips to hers he kisses her as gratitude washes over him.
She lights up at the passion in his eyes.
“Thank you Ashley.” Lifting her hands, he places a light kiss on each of her palms. “You just showed me my future, and I am in love with what I saw, with what could be. I’m in love with her.”
Startled, Ashley looks at him as if he has just slapped her. Embarrassment heats up her cheeks, but fury drives her hand and she lands a heavy palm against his cheek.
“How dare you,” she stutters. “You bastard!”
“Ashley?”
“Don’t say another word to me. Don’t you even look at me, and when your precious Natalya breaks you don’t look for me to repair the damage.”
To her back, he calls out, “I am sorry Ashley; I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
Throwing up the back of her hand she disappears around the corner. Sighing and filled with new found wonder he turns, and nearly collides with the doctor.
“She is awake sir, and she is asking for you. Would you like to see her?”
“Is she going to be alright doc?”
“She’ll recover, but I am going to have to report this incident.”
“Take me to her. I need to see her.”
“I understand sir, just follow me.”
Walking him to the door, the doctor gestures for him to enter and his nerves cause him to break out into a sweat. Breathless he steps into the room and stares into the eyes of his destiny.
Ashamed, she turns away.
“Don’t do that. Natalya, baby, what were you thinking?”
“It was stupid, I know.”
“How would I live without you?”
“I wasn’t thinking,” she declares. Caressing his knuckles she sighs in defeat. “I was being completely selfish.”
“No, no; don’t beat yourself up. That is not what this is about. We are going to get through this together.”
“Like we always do?”
“Like we always do.”
“I love you Logan.”
“And I love you too. Unfortunately it took almost losing you for me to know just how much.”
Closing her eyes, they flutter wide when he blows softly against them, and in their depths there lies a clear question.
“No more hiding, for either of us. I promise to see you through this, but I need a promise from you too. I need you to promise me that you won’t ever try to leave me again.”
“This was an impulsive mistake; I won’t make it again.”
“We all make mistakes sweetheart.” Running his fingers through her locks, he reaches for her bag as he settles behind her.
“What about Ashley?”
As he pulls the hair brush through her tangled curls, he shakes his head from left to right. “She doesn’t matter, she never did. She’s gone.”
“So it’s just you and me?”
“Yep, just like it should be. Like it’s always been.”
Savannah – what a bittersweet scene. Good job.
Thanks.
This pulled at my heart. I want to know what happens next.
He finds that after 20 years of friendship that there is still more about her for him to learn. She is a woman with secrets, and he is a man that realizes that in order to claim his destiny he must unravel a web to find the source of her pain.
Along the way they both discover that she is not the only one with issues. He has a thing or two in his past as well.
Wow that was a close shave.
Quite compelling, Savannah. Heartfelt with danger on the edge, under the umbrella of good writing.
Nice touches all around. Logan kissing both of Ashley’s palms is classic. But is she really going to leave Natalya and Logan alone?
No, she’ll be back to spread her scorn.
Thanks for reading and commenting. It’s always nice to hear what others think.
A real rollercoaster ride of emotion! Natalya’s obviously been in a bad place, what a good job she has a hero as strong and protective as Logan to support her moving forward.
A very compelling piece of writing, Savannah. Would love to know what happens next. đ
Wow! I really liked this! I kept wanting to know more. And really good writing too! Thanks for filling us in about the whole story!
Ezraâs drink stopped just shy of his mouth. âWait, your new position is in Paris? As in France?â
âThatâs what Iâve been trying to tell you for the past month. Iâve been accepted at a culinary school.â Sarah uncrossed her ankles flipping tiny flecks of sand onto the blanket.
âI think Iâd remember my best friend telling me she was moving across the pond.â
âYeah, well if you actually looked at me instead of crunching numbers when I was talking to you maybe you would have heard the part about me flying out on Monday.â
Standing, Sarah pulled her cover up over her head looked around and sighed. âIâll miss this. Promise me you wonât bring anyone here. This will always be our place.â
She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his lips and walked towards the surf.
Ezra swallowed and tried to breathe normal. The turquoises bikini showed the same curves and long legs heâd seen before but the kiss had his heart beating double time. Vision of some unknown French man capturing those lips sent sand flying as he jumped to his feet and ran after her.
Diving into the ocean did little to cool down the emotions flowing through him. She couldnât leave, not now. Not when he had realized he was falling I love with her. Hell, he hadnât fallen, heâd already fell and fell deep.
âEzra?â Soft hands touched his back. âAre you okay?â
He didnât answer, instead turned and pulled her to him, capturing her mouth with his, gently at first until he felt the small shudder run through her. Holding her head, he deepened the kiss and prayed at the same time sheâd miss him as much as the secluded beach.
Very romantic.Your writing is very emotional and concise. I actually have tears in my eyes.
This was beautiful, Vicki. Sometimes, it’s so hard to capture the intensity of a moment & you did a fantastic job here.
Great job, Vicki!
Lovely moment.
Wonderful scene, Vicki.
Mmmm love on the beach!
Nice scene played out in a backdrop of tranquility, Vicki. And what a final phrase!
Ezra certainly knows how to make a move when it counts! I hope Sarah is going to be able to have the job of her dreams in Paris AND her man!
Thanks Sold Editors and everyone for your comments. đ This was a fun challenge that took a bit more work coming from his POV.
Beautifully written, Vicki! đ
Wow! Yay! I love passion!
Lead-in: When Violet dashes out of the church from her own wedding, her long time friend Danny just happens to be cruising by. Heâs driving her back to his place and during the long journey she falls asleep. Heâs angry at her but mostly angry with himself when he admits heâs falling for her knowing they have no future, other than friendship.
His heart near thumped out of his chest when he saw her spill out of that church like a fallen angel. He couldnât be mad at her, not for long. By the time sheâd climbed in next to him and he locked on to her chestnut eyes full of defiance and spark, he forgave her every heart breaking moment heâd known her.
He was glad heâd been there outside the church. Like heâd been there when he’d given her date the once over and there when Violet came flying home alone ten minutes later after her date had tried to kiss her.
Now asleep, her soft body cocooned in white lace and pearls slumped against him, all he could hear was the sound of her breathing. A soft purr almost, threatening to send him into a flat spin of desire. Under a shield of bravado her vulnerableness nudged his protective gene, made him want to shake some sense into her yet tighten his imaginary hold on her.
Violet mumbled, flailing one arm across his chest. He pulled her closer and her hand fisted, bunching his shirt tight.
His chin lowered until his lips met her forehead. âYouâre safe now. I promise.â
Settling, she snuggled in. He knew this was as close as he dared. Instead of arrows, cupid shot warning missiles over his head reminding him he couldnât overstep the line. The line heâd laid when he made her brother that battlefield promise to look after her, not lust after her.
Very emotional, Margie. Can’t wait to see how it goes.
Oh wow, he’s going to have to break that promise. Love where her hand fisted, bunching his shirt tight. Lots of strong emotions here.
Brothers. They really ought to be more careful about how they go about protecting their sisters.
I like the premise, Margie. You have a poetic style with your prose, too. Fleshed out and tweaked, I think your story has promise.
“…cocooned in white lace and pearls” — nice term of phrase.
I liked the way you presented/unfolded Violet’s urgency and Danny’s indecision. Good ending statement, too. It left me wanting more.
Emotional and heartfelt – you can tell that the moment he finally does act on this attraction is going to be a cracker!
Very emotional scene!
A very beautiful and very moving scene, Margie. đ
nice! I really got into the guy’s head! Great job!
Wife Deal
(The Love Brother Trilogy)
âWhat do you mean, âyou like meâ?â Cassie Martindale challenged, backing away toward her office door, her six-inch stiletto heels lightly tapping the Italian-marbled floor.
âI didnât say âlike.â I said âlove,â Cassie. Thereâs a difference.â
Cassie gulped, then reached for the highly-polished, brass lever of her office door. But could she really leave? After all, she needed this job more thanâŚWinston (Wink) Love in her life, didnât she?
Winston (Wink) Love, stuffed-shirt esquire of The Love Law Firm, stood dismayed. He wasnât accustomed to such personal challenge by a fleeing assistant. His Firm -â where his unique last name of âLoveâ always got potential clients in the door and his expertise protected the Firm from ever losing a case â- was now in jeopardy of losing something more precious to himself than his undefeated corporate trial record, and her name was Cassie Martindale.
Cassie was a gal with an hour-glass figure, hot, cooking mouth, and long, solid-blonde hair â- just what The Firm boss needs to secure a wife in his future. Without her, The Firm would go belly up, because his name would be mud.
Wink tossed the file in his hands to the deskâs top. Then inched toward Cassie with a calm coolness in his steps and a broad grin on his chiseled face.
She sidestepped him and rushed to her solid oak desk. Pulling open the drawers in rapid succession, she finger-raked through their contents and said, âI need a cigarette!â
âBut you donât smoke,â he said, turning, stupefied, watching Cassie making a mess of every drawer she ransacked. âDidnât you tell me that, the day you interviewed for me?â
She stopped suddenly to gape up at him from her bent position.
âWhatâs the matter, break a nail?â
âYess!â she cried, picking up the fractured piece, stepping away from the desk.
âWell,â he said, moving hastily to the drawers, closing them. âI never liked those things.â
âWhat, cigarettes?â she said, looking at him, her rich, full lips cracking a smile.
Wink arched back as he sunk his hands deep into the trouser pockets of his custom-made Italian suit, assessing the situation. Then, with words smooth as silk, he said, âAre you toying with me?â
Cassieâs large, moss-green eyes shied away. Then she turned back in Winkâs direction, tossing her broken nail piece into the garbage pale beside her desk, as she plopped her ass down into her chair. âI donât care what you never liked. You know how long it took me to put these on?â she asked, holding her spread fingers up for him to see.
âNo time at all,â he quipped, moving to her oversized office window, pointing through it. âYou had them done at the Nails Plus Salon up the street.â He turned back to her. âThe second day you worked here.â
Piqued with curiosity she asked, âYou had me followed?â
âNot a bad idea â- but no, of course not,â he said through a wince of facial humor. âYou had asked me for an extended lunch, so that you could go.â
âOh, yeah,â she smiled, in spite of herself, leaning back in her chair, putting her legs, ankles crossed, up onto her desk. âI forgot. Ha-ha! The jokes on me.â
Wink stared at her long, fit legs. Heâd surely welcome them wrapping around him at the neck, with his face nestled in her most intimate area, working it out with his tongue. Eyeing her stilettos, he thought about removing them, so that when she stood again heâd be more on par with her height, when he moved to kissed her lips. âSee,â he said, pointing at her with charisma. âIâm growing on you already.â
Cassieâs tender face crunched. She pulled her feet off the desk and dropped them down onto the floor. âOw,â she griped, feeling the shockwave of her stiletto heels contacting the floor radiate up through her shins. How could she have forgotten that wearing spikes like these came with repercussions? she wondered, as she bent forward to massage her toned calves.
âThose shoes. I donât like them. They make you too tall,â Wink said, craning his neck, watching her massage her calves.
âThey wouldnât, if you werenât such a shrimp!â
At five feet eight inches tall, Wink wasnât that small. But Cassieâs barefoot five-foot ten-inch height in six-inch stiletto heels dwarfed him. Since his youth, heâd always been self-conscious about his height â-especially early on when he barely grew. But Cassie had never teased him about his shortness in the school yard, like the other kids had. He wondered what her doing so now meant.
âOh, touchĂŠ, Mademoiselle,â he said, moving closer to her.
She looked up at him, still massaging her calves and said, âWould you stop talking foreign, please? You know I donât understand it.â
âWhat foreign?â he asked outstretching his arms, pleading his case. âItâs just a couple of French words. You know thatâs my extent of languages.â
âDamn it!â
âWhat now? A run in your stocking from your broken nail snagging it?â
âYess!â she blurted, standing in frustration.
With an examining expression, he remarked, âGuess you shouldâve gone bare legged today.â
She glared at him, and with a deliberateness in her words asked, âThen if you donât like the nails, whyâd you let me go?â
âExactly!â
Something in Winkâs response said that Cassie was supposed to have understood what âexactlyâ meant. But did she? Or, was it just that she didnât want to understand what he meant, because of what it might mean to her? To them?
âDonât you see, Cassie? Everything about me is love. Even my last name.â
âThatâs not something you chose,â she said, investigating the tear in her stocking.
âThen donât you think I know whatâs in my heart? I love you. We lived on the same block growing up -ââ
âSame neighborhood, not block â-â
âWe always played together -ââ
âYou were six, I was four -ââ
âWe went to dances together in high school -ââ
âNever as a couple, always as friends -ââ
âWe now work together -ââ
âYeah,â she said standing erect. âYouâre the boss, Iâm the employee. We hadnât seen each other for five years, until I came in here three days ago, asking for a job. TâŚthereâs something backward about what youâre telling me now.â
âThe only thing backward is your thinking, Cassie. So what if weâve just reconnected and Iâm your boss.â
âSâŚso what?â she stammered. âIsnât thatâŚcanât that be considered sexual harassment?â
âAs a paralegal, Cassie,â he said, sitting in her chair, finger-locking his hands behind his thick-black hair. âYou of all people should know that what I said isnât sexual harassment.â
âAnd whyâs thatâŚâCounselorâ?â she challenged.
âBecause itâs the truth.â
âAbout the sexual harassment thing?â she asked sweetly, inching toward him.
âYou know what I mean, Ms. Cutesie Pants.â
âNow âthatâsâ sexual harassment,â she grinned as she tapped his chest once, then shied away.
âLook, Cassie, you know that my parents got married after only knowing each other for seven days.â
âMarried,â she said, losing herself in a dreamlike thought of what something like that must feel like.
âYeah. For life. But that was a different time. Old world. Iâm not asking you to marry me after only a week. Thatâs why I told you now that I love you.â
She turned to him in a huff. âWould you stop saying that!â
He stood, his eyes locked on hers. âWhy?â he asked, dancing his brow at her. âBecause you love me, too?â
âOh, donât flatter yourself,â she spat, crossing her arms, moving clickitty, click to the other side of the room.
âThen, youâre saying that you âdonâtâ love me?â
She huffed a beaten breath. âIâm saying that youâre confusing me.â
Well, get unconfused, Iâm a busy man.â
âThen in that case, âMr. Busyâââ
âYes?â
ââŚI love you, too.â
âGreat!â he said, closing the distance between them and taking her in his arms. âWeâll get married in the morning.â
âTomorrow!?â she asked, leaning back in his hold.
âYes. Why? Something wrong?â
âWith no gown? No guests? No reception? Of course thereâs something wrong! I meanâŚgetting married. Thatâs all I ever dreamt aboutâŚI think.â
âYou think?â he asked as she broke from his hold.
âWhat would I tell my best friend -â sheâd be my Maid-of-Honor? And, oh my God, my parents! Iâm their only daughter!â
âThen youâre saying ânoâ?â
âNot âno,â âcanât.â Not like this.â She picked up a tension squeeze ball from her desk and added, âToo many people would be disappointed, if they were left out.â
âAnd what about your happiness, Cassie?â
She shrugged. âNever mattered much. You of all people should know that.â
Yes, Wink knew all about the reasons for Cassieâs uncertainties, reservations, and fears. Had he been foolish to believe that sheâd have grown to accept them more as she matured?âŚ
âThat was a long time ago, Cassie,â he said with feeling, as he encouraged the tension ball from her hand.
âIt never leaves me alone, Wink.â No one ever gave me anything.â
ââGave you anythingâ?â he asked, tossing the ball back to the desk. âWhat about your parents?â
âOkay, Mr. Exact Words, I misspoke. I meant, no one ever gave me a chance. Like this Firm of yours. You went to fancy-schmansie schoolsâ- you were given an opportunity to make something of yourself. Me? Iâm another story.â
âThatâs not fair, Cassie, to either yourself or to me.â
âI didnât know that we had a session today, âdoctor.ââ
âBut you said that you love me, too.â
âIâm sorry,â she said, deadpan. âI was mistaken.â
âOkay. If thatâs the way you want it.â
âThatâs the way it is, Wink.â
âThen, okayâŚweâll switch roles.â
âWhat?â
He reached up and tapped her left shoulder, then moved his hand past her face and tapped her right shoulder as he said, âI knight thee, boss of The Love Law Firm.â
She giggled, looking dwn at him. âYouâre kidding.â
âAfraid not, âCounselor.â Your wish is my command. Nowâs your chance, hot shot. Hereâs someone giving you something. Run with it.â
Her mouth fell open as he stepped by her.
âIâll be in your office, Cassie, if you need me.â
Nice back story here. The repartee (French word) had me feeling like I was watching a tennis match…love all. đ
Thanks, Fiona! Always nice to have you stop by and comment. đ
Very playful, Chris.
Glad you thought so, Harriet. Thanks! đ
This sounds like fun and Cassie sure seems to be hiding something. It would be great to see what she is going to do now that she is in charge.
Thanks, Savannah, for seeing between the lines! đ
Lots of fun twists and great use of backstory here, Chris! Cassie’s obviously had a rough time of it, and love that Wink is the man to help her out đ
Thanks for that “Wink” approval, Sold Editors! đ
Neat turn around with the role reversal!
*Yvonne, my answer to “my Reply Button click” to your comment, on my “Wife Deal” sub above, for some reason, now appears under the SOLD Editors’ response to Karen Christopherson’s entry below.
So, Yvonne, here’s my reply to you again, as it had been. Hope it displays/remains where it should this time:
Chris Buono says:
June 8, 2015 at 2:20 am
Thanks for letting me know, Yvonne! Appreciated. đ
Love the relationship between Cassie and Wink and I also love the way you have written Cassie. You incorporated the backstory brilliantly! Great piece of writing, Chris, đ
Thanks, Calida, for taking time out to post your remarks — much appreciated! I was hoping that Cassie would translate well. đ
That can happen, no worries.
I apologize for the length and for other things…but I got carried away. Hee! Hee!
Drake Barister couldnât get up from his chair. Actually that wasnât a problem. He was up alright. Just not the up he wanted to be. His little man could probably bench press fifty pounds about now and was quickly exceeding his limit. He stared straight ahead trying to think of the worst things possible to make his mind go elsewhere. Somewhere other than his personal assistantâs legs!
It was her first week back and he had never seen her like this. Normally, she was the kind of gal who he could call on a whim and ask her out to a football game, where sheâd wear her jersey and match him beer for beer. But this week she was vibrantâŚalmost girl-like. Gone were the oversized dress pants and baggy sweater and the ugliest pair of black flat dress shoes heâd ever seen. Now she was wearing platform heals, nothing covering her legs and a skirt short enough to stop the heart of a monk!
âAre you alright, Drake?â Anna Dixon asked as she stopped in the entrance of his office.
Damn! He was hoping she wouldnât have returned so soon.
âAre you sick,â she asked with concern as she came up beside him. She touched his forehead. âYouâre not clammy. Whatâs wrong? We can cancel our lunch today. I can have my review when youâre feeling better,â she suggested.
âNo,â he said and cleared his throat, trying very hard not to look at her cleavage. When did she get breasts? âThat wonât be necessary, Anna. My stomach is just acting up again,â he lied.
âIâve told you to go to the doctors about that. You never know what it could be.â She smiled at him the way she normally did and then casually retrieved the Tums from his upper desk drawer. She slid the drawer shut with a bang and Drake jumped. She gave him an odd look, unwrapped the little roll with her newly painted nails and popped one into his open mouth. âThere, that should help. What would you do without me?â she asked and grinned at him as she leaned against his desk.
He shrugged and smiled. Damn. He looked. Well, he really couldnât help it could he? They were practically in his faceâŚboth of them. âHonestly, I donât knowâŚâ he smiled, like a lovesick teenager and then straightened. âI mean, Iâm sure Iâd manage. I did while you were away on your sabbatical.â
âYeahâŚâ she said and grinned like she just stole ten bucks from his wallet. âThat reminds me. I know youâre always working so hard, but have you noticed anything different about me?â
He swallowed. âOhâŚnow that you mention itâŚyeah,â he said. He looked for anything different other than her breasts and her legs. Breasts and legs. Damn. He made contact with her dancing green eyes and rolled his chair further under the desk. âYou changed your hair.â He watched her sway her newly cropped, sandy brown hair.
âYes,â she said and grinned ââŚAmong other things. Guess again.â
âOhâŚI donât knowâŚHey!â he said and pointed to her feet. âYou got new shoes! I told you those flat shoes were ugly. Good for you! Finally spending money on yourself!â He sounded like a complete dork.
âYyyyess,â she said slyly. âBut thatâs not all..â She did another twirl.
Did she just thrust her breasts out? âNew top?â he asked and swallowed again, smiling and wishing his tie would get caught in the paper shredder. Right now.
âOh, my God, Drake. Weâve known each other for how long?â
âTen yearsâŚâ he said dryly.
âI think I can safely say it. Itâs not like
Iâm a new employee and Iâve seen you at your worstâŚremember? When you had the flu and you had no one to come over and help you?â
âYesâŚyesâŚâ He blushed completely from head to toe. How could he forget? It was the worst memory ever. She found him buck naked on the floor in his apartment with his head in the toilet. Heâd never been more mortified in his life! But his little personal assistant didnât even bat an eye as she helped him up and put him straight to bed. She had stayed with him all day and he had been incredibly grateful.
âSo anywayâŚfor your information I got a boob job.â
âOh!â God, someone please shoot me now, he thought as he tried desperately not to look at her boobs. What did he say to that? Did they even make a Hallmark card for that? âHey! Congrats on your boob job! Get well soon!â
âSorry,â she said and bit her thumbnail. âBut I had to tell someone. And I donât really want to tell the girls in the office. Theyâll notice soon enough, if they havenât alreadyâŚTheyâre not too big are they? I mean I could have went smaller and I almost went bigger.â She rolled her eyes and looked down at her large breasts. âWhew! So glad I didnât!â
âWell, theyâre definitely bigger!â he said and shook his head. âWhen did you do this?â He said amazed that she would do such a thing. He kept flicking back and forth. Boobs, eyes. Boobs, eyes. She was usually such a quiet little thing and now she was soâŚWhat was the word he was looking for? Buoyant? Yup! That would be the word!
âWell,â she giggled. âRemember my sabbatical? WellâŚâ she bit her lip and grinned. âI was not really in Europe. I was visiting my mom and got it done there. She knew a good doctor.â Anna surveyed him carefully and then started pacing the office. âI was sick of being flat chested,â she suddenly explained. âAll my life I had nothingâŚflat as a boardâŚYou could literally use me as a surf board! I would just glide across the water.â She turned to him. âAnd then one day I looked into the mirror and thought Iâm going to do it! Heck! Iâm thirtyâŚItâs a good age, right?â Then suddenly her face fell. âOh, my God, Drake? Did I make a mistake?â Oh, my God! What did I do?â She crossed her arms over her breasts and her face looked like the earth had dropped from beneath her. âYou must think Iâm so superficial!â
Gone was the happy, confidant woman who walked into his office this morning. He frowned worriedly as he watched her plunk down onto his office couch. âI donât think that at all,â he said getting up and walking over to sit beside her. He took her hands in his. âThey are beautiful!…I mean you are beautiful. They look fine.â Dork just kicked it up a notch.
âDo you really mean it?â she squeaked.
âI mean you were fine before, but whatever makes you happyâŚâ
Her face fell again. âI shouldnât have done it.â
âNoâŚI meanâŚyes! You should have,â he said and grimaced when she looked at him. âYou look greatâŚThey look great.â
She giggled. âYouâre such a liar,â she said, pouting through a smile. âBut I love you anyway.â She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. âYouâre the best boss ever, you know that.â
Great. Now there was no way that he could ever ask her out. Sheâd suppose he only liked her for her gi-normous ta tas! âWell, youâre the best assistant ever.â He smiled tightly.
âSoâŚâ she said and leaned into him, nudging him. âDo you want to touch them?â she whispered.
âExcuse me?â
âWell, theyâre so wiggly and jiggly. I sometimes play with them at homeâŚyou know, because theyâre new. Itâs kind of like when youâre mom had her waterbed.â
âMy mom never had a waterbed.â
âMine did. She kept it in storage for years. She pulled it out to show me. It took us forever to fill and then we had a blast jumping and rolling all over it! Man did we have fun that dayâŚâ she said and smiled. âUntil it burst. That part wasnât fun. But go ahead. Touch them. These wonât burst. Come on. Be a brave boy.â
âI donât think thatâs a good ideaâŚSomeone could comeââ
âOh, come onâŚgive them a feel.â She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. âSeeâŚarenât they squishy?â
She rubbed his hands over her breasts and Drake sat there pressing his lips together straining to smile, while taming the wild thoughts in his head.
âGod, Drake have you never felt a womanâs breasts before? Youâre so stiff! Itâs like being touched by a mannequin!â
âFine,â he barked with embarrassment and felt his face flush fiercely. âItâs just a little strange hitting second base, when we havenât even been to first base!â
âI saw you naked. Now feel.â She closed her eyes and waited.
This really wasnât happening was it? I meanâŚthis was a guyâs dream. His fingers slowly bent, squeezing into the softness. He pulled a curious face. âSoft.â He squeezed again. âAnd yet firm!â
âI know arenât they amazing!â she said and opened her eyes, grinning at him.
âThatâs so weird. They look realâŚand they feel real,â he said, really getting into it now. He cupped the heaviness and then squeezed again as his thumb grazed over her nipple.
âOh!â
âWhat?â He quickly released her, worrying he had hurt her! He searched her face. He knew that look, but it wasnât the kind of look he was used to seeing on Anna. And then he realized what he had done. âIâm sorry. I justâŚItâs naturalâŚfor me toâŚâ
âNoâŚitâs fineâŚI was just shocked thatâs all. Itâs fine,â she repeated awkwardly and stood up. âI asked you to do it. Itâs my fault.â Her green eyes fluttered down to her skirt and she straightened it. âI should go now. Iâve got a lot of work to do.â
âRight. So do IâŚâ he stood up and headed for his desk as casually as he could muster. Limping would have been a better description.
âGoodâŚSo Iâll see you laterâŚLunch?â
âOhâŚright. Yes. One?â he asked, feeling as if his eyebrows were permanently glued to his forehead.
âPerfect. Okay, then,â she said awkwardly as she headed for the door. She turned, flushed scarlet then uttered a thank you as she left his office.
âYouâre welcome!â he called politely after her and then winced. He blinked his eyes and stared straight ahead. Lunch was going to be hell!
I would love to read more about these two. And the waterbed comparison is cute, to funny.
Any chance of a full length novel?
Thanks Savannah! You’re so nice!
You capture his intense sexual frustration very well, Karen, as well as the post-touch awkwardness! Definitely no going back to the friend zone for these two…!
Thanks Sold Editors!
Karen – I loved this! Can’t say enough good things.
Thank you Harriet! That is so nice to hear, thank you.
Wow hot stuff!
thanks Yvonne. I just finished reading everyone’s. My eyes are tired. some good stuff out there.
This is lol funny, Karen! Entertaining, too. Anna is great! Loved her pushy, cutesie-like style. And poor “inexperienced” Drake. But are we sure that he’s not really smarter than the average bear?…
Quite a few witty, inventive lines. Two favs: “…enough to stop the heart of a monk!” — a gem!; “…like being touched by a mannequin!”–classic!
Simply delightful all around. I was looking for more. đ
Thanks again Chris! Next time, I’m relaxing or I’m going to start reading a lot earlier. you’re right, I shouldn’t have put so much pressure on myself.
Oh, and thanks for all the comments. lol. I had to come back in here to say this. Omg. I swear if you boiled me down, you’d get please, thank you and sorry.
Thanks for letting me know, Yvonne! Appreciated. đ
A thoroughly enjoyable read, Karen! Loved the waterbed comparison too! đ
Thank you so much Calida! I know I was so late getting this in. And I still haven’t read everyone’s but I’m going to. Next time I start earlier! Thank you for taking the time to read mine, even when it was so late. I soooo appreciate it.
Before today, Jaxâs love and admiration for her had been nothing but a budding childhood friendship. As he watched Casey meander down the crowded hallway of the airport terminal, Jaxâs heart lurched and ached in his chest. She was leaving to start college. Going to college was something she had dreamed of for so long, and he felt that it was up to him to see that she accomplished it.
His first thought, every day since they met, was of her. He taught her how to ride a bike. He bought her, her first rootbeer float. He walked with her in the pouring rain, holding an umbrella just over her head so she wouldnât get sick. He asked her to Prom just so she could have the experience. He invited her to help him fix up his old car, so her summer wouldnât be so long and monotonous. And now, he had brought her all the way to Atlanta to see her off to school. It was a three hour trip full of their last laughs, their last secrets, and their last smiles. The next morning, Jax would be leaving for boot camp and then for overseas.
At the end of the seemingly endless hallway, before turning left toward her boarding gate, Casey paused. Jaxâs heart raced and beat loudly in his ears. Hope burned like a blazing fire through every vein in his body. She turned to face him, but couldnât bare to see his face. Seeing him would make me go back, she thought, I would never leave his arms. She turned left and continued down the corridor. As fast as hope came to Jax, it left him.
Feeling emotionally exhausted, Jax shuffled toward the escalator, stepped on, and rode it to the ground level. Itâs just as well, he decided, trying to make excuses for the despair he felt deep inside. Not like she could come with me. She needs to go to school. Itâs whatâs best. My life has already been made complete because of her very existence.
He struggled to choke back tears, as he weaved between travelers and family members bidding a loving farewell to each other. His throat tightened. He clenched his eyes tightly together, to keep tears from streaming down his face. Breathless, and angry with himself for not confessing to her how he felt, Jax leaned on a planter near a bench and tried to catch his breath. He wanted to scream and yell. He wanted to go back and ask her to stay at last one more night. He wished like hell he hadnât enlisted when he did. He wished he had realized what she meant to him, and had the nerve to tell her.
Gaining control of his emotions, at least enough to get himself to the car and let it all out, Jax moved away from the bench, past the ticket counters, and out into the sunlight. He stopped, looked high into the sky, and breathed deeply through his nose. She will never know, he thought helplessly.
Jax stepped lifelessly across the street to the parking garage. As he walked, Jax pulled his keys from his pocket, and glanced down at them. To anyone else it was just a set of keys, but to him they held two specific memories.
The first memory was the day he and Casey had finished fixing up his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop Coupe. The day was exceptionally cold for late Spring, he recalled. He had just tightened the last of the bolts on the engine, and was eager to start the car. Turning to Casey, he chuckled heartily at the smudged of grease across her smooth cheek.
âWhat?â she questioned, pushing a long strand of her flaxen colored hair out of her eyes, and smiling.
He shook his head and grinned. âNothing? Wanna go for a ride?â
âOf course!â she exclaimed. âWe havenât been working on this just to look at it.â
They climbed in and rode along the shoreline of their small coastal Georgia town. Windows down, music blaring, speed steadily increasing. They had stopped to walk the beach, watch the sunset dip beyond the blue-silver waters, and grab ice cream at ‘The Shack’. They talked vividly about their impending graduation and the future. That night, she told him about her plans to attend college. It had crushed him to think of losing his best-friend.
Jax stepped up onto the sidewalk, at the airport, and turned the large, old key over and over in his hand. Approaching the elevator, Jax quickly decided against the urine stench he previously encountered in it, and began to climb the stairs to the third floor.
The second memory Jax´s keys held was the morning he and Casey had, had an argument about him joining the Army, the evening before, without thinking about what it would entail or how his family would handle him possibly never returning from war. Casey had yelled and cried. She had begged him to go back, to change his mind. He was firm in his decision.
âHey,â Casey said, as she approached the garage where Jax was diligently washing his Coupe.
âHey,â he replied, not making eye contact with her.
âI…I wanted to tell you that I was sorry. I shouldn´t have yelled at you like that. I just…â she said, stumbling over her words and biting her lip.
âI know you´re sorry. So am I. After you left, I realized that I needed to talk to my folks, and to you about my choice to enlist,â he smiled.
Her emerald green eyes met his deep brown-golden eyes. Casey´s heart skipped a beat and she moved closer to him. Before today, she hadn´t seen him as anyone other than the awkward boy she met when she moved here at eight years old. She hadn´t seen him as anything other than the shy teenager who asked her to Prom. And she hadn´t seen him as anyone other than her secret-keeper, the one person who could cheer her up in any situation, her partner-in-crime…Her best-friend.
âI brought you this,â she said, handing him a royal-blue rabbit´s foot. âFor luck.â
âI´ll carry it with me everyday, Case.â
âYou better,â she answered, offering him a halfhearted smirk. A tear rolled down her cheek and she hoped deep in her heart that he´d return, if not for her, then for his family. Jax wiped the tear away and wrapped her in his comforting and loving embrace.
Reaching the top of the steps, on the third floor, Jax felt the soft rabbit´s fur. It was silky like Casey´s golden hair. He wished again that he had told her.
âI can´t go,â her voice spoke softly.
Sitting on the trunk, of his Coupe, was his beloved Casey. âWhy didn´t you get on the plane? Classes start on Monday!â He stepped in front of her.
âBecause I had to tell you…that I love you.â Casey wrapped her arms around Jax´s neck, and pressed her full, pink lips against his.
Aw shucks…that’s so sweet.
Very tender and emotional! So glad she chased after him to tell him đ
That was so sweet I could cry. To have someone like that in life would be everything. Very well written and I love how the scene went from innocence to the beginning bloom of passion.
Very touching.
First love, it can last a lifetime. This feels like that.
Out of the blue liked been sucker punched Liza glass paused near her lips. She blinked and looked again and her heart did a little jump and raced. It was like she was seeing him for the first time. Really for the first time. How was that possible? Everyone had said how he looked like a Greek god with his golden hair and well toned tanned body and she had always laughed it off.
Ross, a Greek god, when he was a true blue Aussie like her. How long had she known him? All her life as far as she could remember. Always doing everything together. Like now at a gathering of friends enjoying a barbecue under the moonlight. And didnât the moonlight love her Ross. He had always been her Ross.
He turned to her and gave his Ross killer smile. Straight through the heart. Oh, my, what had she been thinking? And there was that stunning redhead heading straight to him. The one who had being eyeing him off all night. She had even teased him telling him to go for it. He had laughed not his type. His rich deep laugh that always warmed her heart.
Taking to her feet she deposited her glass on a table as she passed to join him just as the redhead had stopped at side all smile, eyelashes fluttering.
âLiza honey,â he greeted warmly draping an arm around her shoulders. âAbout time.â
She smiled confused. âFor what Ross?â she asked.
âPlease excuse us,â he smiled at the redhead to guide her away to a quiet corner.
âRoss?â she asked again because he was looking at her differently. Intensely. Did she dare to hope he also saw her more than just a friend, more than best buddies? She swallowed hard has he stepped closer eyes meshing as he captured her face into his hands and lowered his golden head blocking out the full moonlight as his sensual full lips slanted over hers to tease apart.
Moaning she stepped closer into his body to clutch at his broad shoulders, closing her eyes to see fireworks as her body ignited into fire of desire.
Eruptions of cheers and claps surrounded them.
Everyone knew that Ross King had been madly in love with his best friend Liza Ryan for years and he was a patient man, always had been.
âAbout time you saw the light Liza Ryan,â he whispered against her soften lips, both unaware what was going on around them, only having eyes for each other.
âWhat is that Ross King,â she asked breathless, heart racing.
âThat you belonged to me.â Again he crushed her lips with his like a man thirsting after a long drought, drinking the fruits of heaven.
Would love to have understood more about why he finally made his move, but these two will definitely live happily ever after!
Love the way he makes his feelings for her known! đ
I loved drinking the fruits of heaven!
This #WritingChallenge is now closed – thanks for all your wonderful entries! Please check back in on 19th June for the next challenge.
I only got through half of these, but I’m going to read the rest later today when it’s just too hot to write and think. Good job everyone! I love reading everyone’s and like I promised I’m going to comment on everyone’s individually. I should have started earlier this weekend. But they’ll still be up! Have a good day and thanks Sold team. This is really getting all the juices flowing and I love the community feel! đ
Don’t feel pressure to do so, Karen. Do whatever you can. đ
And just know, whether you comment on all stories individually or not, everybody here knows we’re supported and/or read by those who also submit to these Writing Challenges. That’s what the SOLD! Blog is all about — fun and support of any kind! đ
Well said Chris.
Thanks. I was so tired yesterday, but I promised I would. my eyes were going cross-eyed and it was so hot. I guess I’ll just try and do what I can next time. Thanks Chris!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didnât see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Hereâs hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I donât work so I havenât been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, Iâve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items â mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I canât imagine have school-age kids!
Wowâgetting your creative process on track must have been dauntingâespecially with âextra-large dogâ glad to have you home. You donât like coffeeâI love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. Youâll have to tell me if the tone of my âCOVIDâ books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldnât leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesnât use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But weâre working thru it!