Tuesday Tales - Sunny

 

Brrrrr, come in out of the cold and read some sizzling stories today on Tuesday Tales. We have another episode of "Someone Like You", and a whole bunch of terrific tales unfolding here. Find them all HERE. 

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"No, I’m not looking for one-night stands. I had a good marriage. Nancy and I got along great. She was my best friend. While I’m not looking to replace her, because one can never replace a spouse, I am looking for another close, serious relationship.”

Egads, he hoped she didn’t think he was proposing! No, Charlotte was too down-to-Earth to think that.  

“Good. Sounds like we’re both on the same page, then,” Charlotte said, rising.

He glanced at the horizon. Though it was still sunny, the sun had begun to set.

“Time to get you home,” he said, taking her hand.

“My thoughts exactly.”

They strolled back to the house where she had an apartment, taking their time.

 

**** 

 

Stunned by Mark’s candor, Charlotte prayed she had given the right answer. She searched his face and body movements, looking for signs of disapproval. Damn, she didn’t want to mess this up. A guy like Professor Mark Garrett didn’t come along everyday…especially not to women like her.

Uncertainty plagued  her until he reached for her hand. If he had been turned off, he wouldn’t do that. She often watched the body language of couples in stores, at restaurants, and walking in town. She had learned so much about life by being a quiet observer. And a couple gave away so much about their relationships by the way they interacted physically.

Yes, having a man take the woman’s hand meant a great deal. She’d see it many times. And not just a weak kind of hand-holding, but definite. Curious, she rested her hand in his. His grip strong, though not crushing, allayed her fears. Peace flowed through her. She returned his grip and smiled. 

As they neared her apartment house, he pulled her closer and draped his arm around her shoulders. She eased her arm around his waist. Flutters started in her belly and below. Curiosity to see and touch him naked aroused her. No, no, it was too early to sleep with him. Afterall it was, strictly speaking, their first date. 

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment. 

Tuesday Tales - Cold

 It's time for Tuesday Tales again. We have another excerpt from "Someone Like You." When you're done reading my story, hop on over to read the stories from the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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They stopped to sit on a bench by the river. Mark toyed with the idea of getting more intimate with Charlotte. He had to admit to himself he didn’t know the rules of dating anymore. But he knew he wanted her, wanted to make love to her.

Still, this was, technically, their first official date. No way could he make that kind of pass at this stage. Frustrated at not knowing what to do, he opted for honesty. So far, it had worked with her. He draped his arm across her shoulders.

“I haven’t dated much. I don’t know how the rules have changed since I was last single. I know what I want, but I need to know what you want. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or rush you into something you’re not ready for….so will you please tell me how you feel?”

He noticed the color rise to her cheeks.

“We don’t have to have this discussion now, if you don’t want to,” he said.

“No, no. I get what you’re saying and I appreciate your honesty.”

“Good. All I want is for you to tell me the truth. I know this is only our first date, but if this is just a flirtation that you don’t see going anywhere, then I need to know.”

“Oh no, no. Not at all,” she said quickly. “I hope I haven’t given you that impression.”

“You haven’t.”

“Good.” She inched closer. “I’ve never been really serious about anyone before. There’s one guy I see on and off – mostly off. But that’s it.” She folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. “I’m not the typical girlfriend kind of girl.”

“Oh?” he raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah. I’m different. I do woodworking, not baking. I don’t crochet, follow movie stars, or run out and buy the latest makeup.”

“That’s fine…”

“But that’s not what most guys are looking for.”

He laughed. “I guess I’m not most guys.”

“No, you’re not. Thankfully.” She smiled.

“I’d like to know more about your woodworking,” he said. “I’m not at all handy with a hammer and a drill.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I am.”

“So…are you still seeing that on-again-off-again guy?”

“No.”

“Glad to hear it,” he replied, barely able to cover his relief.

“How about you? Are you just looking for a couple of one-night stands?”

Mark sensed color entering his cheeks. Well, no, not one-night stands, but definitely a sexual relationship. How could he get that across without sounding crass and cold?

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if y ou have a moment. Thanks.

Tuesday Tales - Year

 

Welcome! 

This week we have Charlotte's first real date with Mark. They're going out to dinner. Don't forget to leave a comment and then hop  on over to read the wonderful stories by the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE.

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“I don’t drink when I’m driving, but please go ahead and order a drink or a glass of wine,” he said as he looked over the menu.

Nerves drove Charlotte to order a glass of cabernet while Mark ordered a Coke. They sat quietly looking over the menu. Charlotte’s eyes examined each offering, one more expensive than the other. She chewed her lip. The scallops looked delicious, but they were one of the pricier items on the menu. What should she do?

Realizing she hadn’t been on a date with someone who might actually be financially solvent like in
years, maybe ever, she didn’t know what to do. When she went out with Derek, she always ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. He was crass enough to thank her, too. Suddenly the patio seemed hot, even though it was evening.

Yes, Mark was older, but college professors didn’t make a fortune. Did he have enough money for the scallops? She sensed red creeping into her cheeks as she agonized over the choice. Sure, she could order a chef’s salad, but what fun would that be? She sighed. Maybe she should do the prudent thing, when Mark spoke up.

“Gee, the scallops look great. Do you like seafood?” he asked, putting down the menu.

“Yes,” she managed to squeak out.

“I’m going to order the scallops. Why don’t you order that, too? They’re the special. Usually the special is the best dish on the menu,” he added.

Relief flooded through Charlotte. She wasn’t a baby by any means, but she’d never been out on a date like this before, with an older man in an elegant restaurant.

“I love scallops. Yes, I think you’re right.”

“Good. That makes it easy,” Mark said, beckoning the waiter.

While he placed their order, she studied him. Did he know how confused and scared she was of doing the wrong thing? No, the man wasn’t a mind reader. Still, you didn’t have to be clairvoyant to see that Charlotte struggled with that decision. If her guess was correct, Mark had earned additional brownie points with her for being sensitive. Not that he needed any more points. As she gazed at his handsome profile, butterflies fluttered in her belly. Could this be the romance of a lifetime? Maybe her luck was about to change. 

    That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - "NEW"

 

Happy New Year and welcome to the new year with Tuesday Tales! This week we're writing to the word prompt "new".  I have another excerpt in my continuing story, "Someone Like You." Last week, we saw Mark get choked up when he smelled a familiar perfume. Is that going to ruin his budding relationship? Read today's snippet and find out. 

When you're done here, bounce on over to read the other writer's stories. Find them HERE. 

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“That was Nancy’s favorite perfume,” he said, closing his eyes for a second to say a prayer that it wouldn’t cause Charlotte to flee. 

“Oh my God,” she said, her hand flying to cover her mouth. After a pause, her response continued in a low, quiet voice. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

She paled and clasped her hands together. He’d caused that and hated himself. Still, he must have honesty with Charlotte.

“I’m sorry. So sorry,” he said, reaching down to give her hand a quick squeeze.

“Look, if you’re not ready…” she started.

He pulled over to the curb and put the car in park. “Don’t say that. I’m more than ready. It’s been years. Years! Since Nancy died. You’ve brought new purpose to my life. I wake up looking forward to a new day. For the first time. I just wasn’t prepared for that.”

“Are you sure?”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. Charlotte, you’re bringing love back into my life.”

She blushed. “Good. I feel the same.”

“Then let’s just be happy.”

“Agreed.”

He cupped her chin and turned her face toward him. “I can’t promise there won’t be other flashbacks like that. I hope not, but you never know.”

“I understand. It’s okay,” she said, gripping his forearm.

“I hope you mean that.”

“I do.” 

Mark brushed her lips with his before making eye contact and tossing her a quick grin. Then, he put the car in gear, took a breath and eased the car back in traffic. He refused to dwell on how tenuous new love could be. Relief at having dodged a bullet swept through him. Yes, that was this time, but what would happen next time? 

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment. Comments make my day!

TUESDAY TALES - BAKING

 

We're back this week with more from "Someone Like You." The word prompt is "baking." Mark has picked up Carlotte for their dinner date. We catch up with them in the car on the way to the restaurant 

When you've finished reading this, please visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE.  

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A suspicion fluttered through Mark’s brain.
“No, couldn’t be,” he thought to himself. He took a breath and voiced the question on his mind.

“That’s a lovely scent you’re wearing. What is it?” 

“Chanel Number Five,” she responded.

Mark’s heart stopped for a second. He slammed on the brake to avoid hitting an Amazon delivery person.

“Mark!” She faced him. “Are you all right?”

Sweat broke out on his forehead. Yes, he thought there was something familiar. That was Nancy’s favorite perfume. Of course, perfume never smells exactly the same on two different people. Still, it had been baked into his brain, familiar enough to give him a jolt.

He yanked a handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his face.

“Please. Don’t wear it again. Okay?” He couldn’t face her.

She touched his shoulder. “If you don’t like it, I won’t. Are you okay?”

He nodded. Not like it? He loved it. He’d drained Nancy’s bottle of Chanel drop by drop over two years, bringing it to his nose over and over to conjure up images of his late wife.

His eyes stung with unshed tears. He wiped his face again, pulling the cloth over his eyes as well.

“Mark?”

“I’m okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?” she asked. 

That's all for today. Come back next week to find out what happened next. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment.  

TUESDAY TALES: SNOWY

 

Welcome! This week we're writing to the prompt "snowy". I've got another snippet from "Someone Like You." I hope you enjoy it. When you're done, don't forget to visit the awesome Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

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“I don’t have anything to wear. I can’t exactly show up for his class wearing painter’s overalls, can I?”

“You don’t have any date clothes?” Kitty asked, a look of astonishment on her face.

“Nope. No school clothes, either.”

Corey reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He plucked out a credit card and put it on the table. “Here. Kitty, take her shopping. Please don’t spend more than three hundred bucks, okay?”

Charlotte’s eyes wetted, Emotion choked her. Unable to speak she simply smiled and nodded.

“He got you to read. You’ve got a shot with him. He’s a good guy,” Corey said, patting his sister’s shoulder.

Charlotte pulled a snowy white hanky from her pocket and dried her eyes. Then she put her hand on Corey’s forearm. “He didn’t get me to read. You did.”

Her brother’s eyebrows shot up. “I did? How did I do that?”

“When you moved out, you left behind a couple of books. Without Pop to talk to, I had to do something to fill the time. And I was curious, so I read them.”

Corey chuckled, his cheeks reddened. “You finally found those?”

“You left them on purpose?” Her eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah. I picked a couple I thought you’d like and left them in the kitchen. I hoped you’d be curious enough to read them.”

“Why Corey Anderson! What a sneaky thing to do!” Unable to maintain an angry demeanor, she smiled. 

That's all this week. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment! 

TUESDAY TALES - ANGRY

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week we're writing to the word prompt "angry". I have another snippet from "Someone Like You." When you're done, please hop on over and read the stories of the other Tuesday Tales authors. You'll find them HERE. 

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The doorbell jarred her out of her dreamy mood. It was Corey and Kitty.

“Hi, Sis. Here, breakfast,” Corey said, thrusting a small bag of donuts into her hands. “Got more coffee?” he asked.

“Sure. Help yourself,” Charlotte said, putting the bag on the counter.

“How are you? Kitty asked, getting down two mugs. “I mean after last night?”

“Fine,” Charlotte said, turning away to hide the blush in her cheeks.

Corey poured the coffee and Kitty added milk to both mugs.

“Did he walk you home? Did he kiss you goodnight?” she asked.

Corey held up his hand. “Please! I don’t wanna know.”

“That’s kinda private,” Charlotte said, avoiding their stares. She took a plate from the cabinet, unpacked and arranged the donuts.

“That means yes, to both,” Kitty said.

Corey picked up a donut and took a big bite.

“I have good news,” Kitty said.

“Oh?” Charlotte raised her eyebrows.

“My dad gave the green light for you to audit Professor Garrett’s English class,” Kitty continued.

“Oh no. Really? I can’t do that,” Charlotte said, shaking her head.

“Why not? You’re reading the books on the syllabus anyway,” Corey said, shrugging his shoulders.

“What’s a syllabus?” Charlotte asked.

“The list of books that are required reading for the class,” Corey said.

“See? I’m ignorant. No, no. Last night was wonderful. And I’m sure dinner with him on Saturday will be great until he finds out how uneducated I am. Then it will be over,” Charlotte said, picking up her mug.

“What?” Kitty practically jumped out of her chair. “We didn’t do world’s most incredible makeover for you to slink away with some stupid notion you’re not smart enough for the guy.”

“I thought you wanted him? I mean, you’ve got him, hook, line, and sinker. I’m a guy

and I know when a guy is hooked. Mark’s got it bad for you. Don’t blow it by running away.”

“He’ll see through me right away. He’s too good for me,” Charlotte said.

“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again!” Angry, Corey pounded his fist on the table. “What would Pop say?”

“Okay, okay. But I’m not his equal. Not intellectually.”

“Yeah? And I bet he can’t refinish a floor or build a table. So you’re even,” Kitty put in.

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment -- they make my day.