She knew how long it had been with the certainty of a compass pointing north. A tiny clock kept track in the back of her mind, ticking away the hours and pulling her ever forward to the future.
Closing her eyes, she took herself back to that last moment. She took a deep breath, the whirl of computers and copy machines disappearing to be replaced by the soft sound of music, the clink of wine glasses, and the low laughter of the loved.
He stared at her across the table. The candlelight reflected the smile in his eyes.
"I don't believe you," he teased.
Her hackles rose. "I don't know why not," she replied stiffly.
"Because it's too important to you."
He knew her well, this blue eyed lover.
"But this is important too," she'd insisted. She grimaced at the tone of her voice. It was harsh, brittle.
"Hey...okay," he placated. He reached across the table and patted her hand with his. She drew back sharply, scratching his palm with her diamond.
"You don't think I can do it." She felt near tears in desperation.
"I don't think you need to," he insisted softly.
She turned her head and swallowed the lump in her throat. Around her, elegant women and devastatingly handsome men danced and flirted. She watched one pale red head loop a slim hand over her date's shoulder and laugh into his suit jacket. Jealous acid burned in her stomach.
"If it's that important to you," he started.
She turned sharply to him. "It is," she whispered fiercely.
He shook his head sadly. "One last time?"
She chewed her lip. Did she dare? Would it weaken her resolve? Slowly she nodded. He gestured to the waiter and whispered a few words in his ear.
She sat back and toyed with her wine glass. Awkward silence filled the space between them. He didn't understand. Not really. Part of her loved him for that. Part of her hated him.
The waiter reappeared and set a plate in front of her.
Three layers high, the chocolate cake was topped with a drizzle of raspberry sauce. She sighed and picked up a fork.
The first bite exploded in her mouth and filled her senses. She closed her eyes on a moan. The rich, almost bitter taste of chocolate was tempered by the whipped cream frosting and delicate raspberries. She rolled it around her tongue and savored every second.
"Good?"
She opened her eyes and nodded wordlessly as she took another bite.
The phone jolted her to the present. Sighing, she picked it up. "Yes," she said, "I'll need to move my alteration a half hour later." She listened for a moment. "Yeah. I need to take it in a bit more."
She hung up the phone. A co-worker walked by, his plate piled high with birthday cake. She popped a piece of gum in her mouth.
Six weeks, four days, four hours. It'd better be worth it.
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This was based on this week's Write on Edge prompt "La Douleur Exquise (French): The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can’t have." I thought I'd play with it a bit and see what happened. The result was this little one-off piece of fiction.
10 comments:
Hello lovely friend! I was so happy to see you on the linky list, I've been gone so long! I love the direction you went with the prompt. I'm reading as a bride to be wanting an ideal figure for her wedding? I love the details and the life you breath into her emotions with few words.
Nice twist -- that's totally not where I expected this to be going! I'm glad he thinks she doesn't need to, though. Sounds like she's making the right decision about marrying him.
I love you. This piece and its twist just made me smile. I was just reading an old post about body image and this struck a nice chord.
Thank you for sharing your talent, you gorgeous thing!
Oh, poor thing. I want to sit her down with a sandwich. And then another slice of her cake. No one needs a dress taken in so badly...
It's a hell of a thing, giving up cake. It dang well better be worth it!
This is true. Especially considering her love affair of chocolate.
Big kisses heading your way! Isn't it sad that the man she loves loves her as she is but yet she can't?
That's the most tragic part. She doesn't see what he sees. Still, isn't that the way of it?
Thank you so much!! Nice to see you linking up. :D
Your details here were wonderful. I felt her aching for the chocolate and battling with herself over it, including her irritation with her boyfriend.
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