written by Shan R.K

It was Friday afternoon, two days after Lyle and I got ‘tangled.’ I could, without a doubt, admit our escapade reached my top 5’s. I’m uncertain what I expected to happen after I practically mauled my boss on his desk. The cliché part of it went to the simple fact that I, like millions of other rom-com, romantic girls fell for my boss. What I considered to be a changing, riveting world experience turned out to be nothing more than a ‘simple lay of the land.’

The eyes, the kiss on my cheek as he held my waist, or even the trail of feathering touches down my leg, it was just that.

In simple terms? Lyle was ignoring me. I couldn’t call it ghosting because he made sure to be around, smile, ask me a question then vanish.

But sitting in his office for two hours with another woman who looked like she sauntered her way out of a sports illustrated magazine was my limit. I would never be a Jocelyn, Jeniffer, Megan or Cindy, but I was no half – assed bang-dang-bong queen either. He didn’t have the right to lead me on and let me fume in silence, without so much as a ‘Hi Charlie, thanks, but it’s not going to work out,’ or ‘Hi, Charlie, last week was good ‘n all but I don’t think we’d make a good fit,’ or ‘Charlie, you and I it will never happen, but thanks.’

Shit, had I known he was THAT guy, I would’ve not gone there. I inwardly groaned at my horrible lie even as the thought came to mind. I would’ve so gone there, he was like a Labrador mixed Ridgeback. Nice on the outside, but he had some moves only the bad dogs knew.

The hot brunette walked out of his office and I silently compared my blonde hair, to her sleek long ponytail, my round face to her hollow cheeks, and my big lips to her fake pout that by definition resembled a Botox job gone wrong. I had better lips, and that meant something, but she had beautiful green eyes, and my sappy, angry-vated (Yes, I made that up) brown ones stood no chance.

He walked out after her, she turned, and her hair had just the right amount of bounce as she faced him.

If Lyle saw me standing behind him, he gave zero indication he did.

“Thank Mr. Adams, do let me know before the end of the week.”

“Of course, Kelly.”  I rolled my eyes as he smiled the same charming smile he smiled at me less than a week ago.

My phone rang as Kelly walked pass me. I picked up at the sight of my mother’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hi Mama.”

“Hi honey, your brother was telling me you’re homesick. I was thinking of coming to you, but your father has miles he needs to use up and it’s more than enough to cover you and Nolan’s tickets home for the weekend.  Just told your father I’d run it by you before he booked.”

“That’s great mama, I just need to see if can get off. Which weekend is it?”

“Next one honey. I have to go help out at Old Niels farm stall this week, since Aunt Ems is ill.”

“I’ll let you know. You take care now.”

“Of course honey, tell Lyle I say hi.”

“Okay Mama.” After ending the call, I found Lyle watching me. I walked toward him, the feeling of him not wanting me a potent, ugly vine curling around my limbs.

“Hi, can we talk?” My voice came out lower than intended, and with all the confidence I mustered and anger I gravitated toward myself, it was a wonder I even spoke at all.

He smiled like nothing, like he couldn’t tell I was affected, like nothing happened between us.

“Of course, what did you want to talk about?”

“What happened the other night?”

He paused, for a beat as if to gather his thoughts. That should’ve warned me, but I never was someone who’d take a hint.

“Okay. What about it?” His eyes got smaller as I stared at him just inside his office door, he stared back at me, waiting.

“Was there a problem?” I said and I could’ve sworn the walls were laughing at how foolish I sounded.

“Why would you think that?” He stopped by his desk and leaned his hip on it as his hand flexed on the desk. Was he saying something? I didn’t know with him.

“After we had… ah…” I paused as his amusement at my stumbling words grew not just on his lips, but the sudden crinkle in his eyes. Gosh, was his eyes always the blue?

“Sex, Charlie. We had sex.” He patted the desk as if to remind me of where it was, right there and the sudden thought it elicited had my cheeks flushing a cherry crimson.

“Yes, we did.”

He laughed softly as he walked from his desk to where I stood, awestruck by my situation. His hand went behind my waist, pulled me in, flush against his body, as he closed the door.

“Are you fishing for compliments?” His words, the way he held me, as if I was his, and the toxic smell that mixed with seafood, and garlic I should’ve not wanted, liked or be affected by – did all of that.

“No, yes, I… don’t know.” He dropped his mouth to mine, and as if the world felt right again, he kissed me so intently I forgot why I had an issue, why I was fuming, why he had a…hold…

I pulled away from him, “Who was the woman in your office?”

His eyebrow shot up, as he barely let me go as I took a sane step away from his hard rigid…body

“A potential client. She wants to hire out the restaurant for a major event next week. Why? Are you jealous?”

“Nope, nah ah, not jealous at all.”

“Charlie, what happened between us shouldn’t have happened, but it did and I don’t regret anything. Frankly, I’m glad, but you’re young, and Nolan’s sister. So I’m thinking…”

“It was a mistake? Not a good idea we date? Or see each other? I get it…” He grabbed me closer and for the first time in years I felt like I belonged in the arms of a man.

“Are you fishing for compliments? Cause none of that is true. I want to date you, I want us to see each other. I just feel we should tell your brother and parents and keep things clean. If your brother knew I was devouring his sister while she worked for me and doing it secretly, he’d kick my ass.” A huge relief filled me as those words left his mouth. My body melted when he bent to kiss me again and this time we didn’t stop at kissing.

If I had a review for every moment Charlie made me smile, I’d have as many as James Patterson by now.

These last two years are the best any man could hope for.

Charlie hasn’t only brightened my life, but she also added something I would call love to every part. Today as I slip my ring on her finger, and watch the tears stream down her face, I can without a doubt say she is the only woman I can imagine my life with.

We had our fights, oh boy did we. Sometimes big ones that left her crying, and me in a foul mood. We had our issues, firstly with Nolan who did in fact punch me, and chose not to speak to me for three months, after he found out I was dating his sister. Then there was my mother who reasons only she knew didn’t like Charlie at first, but somehow they fixed their issues and became somewhat close. And the big one was when Ouma Darla died, we both went into a depressing phase then.

But with all those trials, moments, Charlie and I stood strong and always found each other with open arms. So it wasn’t a wonder I asked her to be my wife four times. Three of which she said no, and though the fourth time I got a tentative yes, I knew she was going to be my girl forever.

“You think the cactus is going to unalive itself while we on honeymoon?” She asked after I slipped the ring on her finger. I shook my head, “You took care of it, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I did make that watering system work on my own.” I shook my head.

“Are you fishing for compliments Mrs Adams?”

“I guess I am Mr Adams.”

THE END

We are done. I’m going to be publishing the short stories on Amazon, Kobo, Apple and other retailers, with a few added extra pages, if you want a copy, from me for $1, please fill out the short story form available on my website from Tuesday, 16th September 2025.

I would be posting the next short story from tomorrow. For those who ordered signed paperbacks, please note I would be sending them out from next week.

For now here is a blurb of our next short story…

Drawstring

Carl Curtis has known since he was five years old, he was going to be a detective. Thirty years later he’s a detective’s nightmare- Appointed District Attorney. Sent to a small town called Liston Hills, he’s all but happy to be in the billionaire’s domain.

He’s barely unpacked when a local bartender is found with a knife in her hand at a crime scene. Now it’s up to him to find out if she’s in fact a murderer or a victim. But with Detective Barnes leading the case, solving a case is the least of his problems. The woman is crazy, and what’s with her cat?

This is a small town mystery and I dedicate this story to them hard working detectives.