When I met Drew at that damn wedding our chemistry was off the charts. All he could offer was the weekend, but uncharacteristically, I jumped at it. When he slipped away like a thief in the night I was blindsided by loss, even knowing people don’t fall in love at first sight! He left me a lifelong reminder though, one to make its appearance in about seven months. Too bad he’d never know…
She was always on my mind, and I couldn’t afford the distraction in this forsaken country where one false move could mean my death. My sniper training dissolved when I thought about Katie and our time together. I was a one and done kind of guy, but this time it was different. I’d be stateside in a few months and offer the apology she deserved. Maybe she’d forgive me, if there wasn’t another man in her life…
The equally pale piece of paper took shape against the quartz countertop when I set the cup down. My breath shortened and something central in my chest tightened. Fingers creeping across the smooth surface, I inched the note closer. Block printing in a heavy, masculine hand delivered the message with utter clarity.
Katie- Got the call. Deployed sooner than expected. Stole a kiss goodbye. I’ll treasure our time together. Drew
My hand drifted up to touch my lips. They trembled and I pressed them firm, sucking in a lungful of air through my nose. I was such a treasure that people abandoned me. A mirthless laugh escaped past my hand and I swiftly catalogued the situation, regaining control. Attended a wedding and met a hot guy. Fucked said guy. So what? Lots of women hooked up, nothing surprising. Had great sex. No harm, no foul. After all, he’d set the parameters upfront. One … and done.
Picking the note up by a corner, I carried it over to the trash and dropped it in, then poured the remaining coffee down the sink. Best not to think about all the confidences shared during the recovery times, or the laughter and easy banter. The way I thought we’d connected past the fucking. Sex didn’t have to make things awkward, right? And now, if I felt like yesterday’s bread, well, I’d done it to myself. And my name was Kate.
Checking the time, I hurried to pull out some clothes suitable for brunch. My girlfriends met in half an hour and I had no reason to miss it today. No need to mention how I’d filled the better part of the weekend either. I yanked the bedding off the mattress and wadded it up, jamming the linens into the hamper. My housekeeper would take care of the rest.
Adding a spritz of citrus, I smoothed the sundress over my thighs, then grabbed my purse. Moving on.
Allyson Young lives in cottage country in Manitoba, Canada with her husband and numerous pets. She worked in the human services all across Canada
Allyson will write until whatever she has inside her is satisfied- when all the heroes man up and all the heroines get what they deserve. Love isn’t always sweet, and Allyson favours the darker side of romance.
No comments:
Post a Comment