Happy Independence Day. Canada Day was a little wet, but wishing you all good weather. Welcome to July and this week’s Tuesday Tales. Each week, our talented authors do their best to use either a word or picture prompt in a scene from their current work. I’m working on It’s a Match, a contemporary romance. Our word this week is BLACK and as always we’re limited to 400 words. Enjoy!
“As I live and breathe. Zakary Mitchum. You are the last person I ever expected to see here.”
The woman dressed in a black satin pantsuit propelled herself into Zak’s arms.
He stood there as if carved from stone. His eyes widened and his jaw tightened, not the look I would’ve expected on the face of a man meeting his former lover.
Ken glanced at me, then at Zak, then at Karen, and back to me once more. Fate was one cruel mistress. She’d brought the four characters of a five-year-old tragedy together again. Was she expecting an encore? She wouldn’t get it from me.
I looked away, right into the Duchess’s gaze. Her eyes narrowed, her lips pursed, and she nodded slightly in a now, I understand motion.
I leaned back, not ready to be included in this farce just yet. Sensing eyes on me, I looked over to see Mom’s concerned ones. Once more, I took a drink.
“Karen. It’s been a while.” Zak, his face flushed, disentangled himself from her.
Karen frowned slightly. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’ve returned to the Motherland, too?”
Zak shook his head. “I look after Lord Broadmere’s horses back in Cedar Glen, his stud farm near Cedar Lake. He offered me a ticket to the opera tonight. I was anxious to see Marissa again. Seeing you and Ken is a … pleasant surprise.”
His comment lacked sincerity and from the slight pout on Karen’s face, she knew it.
“Speaking of Marissa, where is she?”
Karen, as bold and brash as ever, grabbed Zak’s hand and led him around the table, sitting down next to her brother, leaving Zak no choice but to sit next to her.
Ken put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me forward so that she could see me. “She’s right here. You know Rissa. She likes to try and blend into the background, but not tonight.”
Just this once, why couldn’t the earth open up and swallow me whole?
Zak frowned but quickly hid his emotions. He didn’t like Ken touching me? Too bad.
Karen’s eyes grew the size of saucers. “Marissa? What … how … you look … fabulous, absolutely fabulous. You always were gorgeous. I can’t believe it’s you. I was hoping to see you while you’re in London.”
I certainly hadn’t been hoping to see her. In fact, I’d hoped to avoid her altogether both in the city and at the wedding. I had no idea she would be at tomorrow night’s ball. Was there any way I could avoid attending? Probably not. Mom and Marley would never accept whatever excuse I concocted.
That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
Living the Dream 
Great snippet. I can feel the tension she’s experiencing. I hope you’ll be writing about the ball. I need to know what’s going to happen there with Marissa and Karen…and the guys!! Very intriguing. You sucked me right in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, so much tension and emotion here. I love how Karen’s eyes grow big as saucers and she can’t help but blurt how fabulous Marissa looks. Looking forward to seeing what they say and do next.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, talk about tense! Nicely done.
LikeLike
Black satin… sexy!! Love it and can’t wait to see what happens at the ball. Seems like shenanigans will be afoot! Jillian
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear! That’s one scene that I wouldn’t want to be a part of. You shared the tensions very well. I cringed for her as I read the whole thing. Great snippet!
LikeLiked by 1 person