by M. Mabie
I couldn’t wait to get to him.
“Oh my God!” Katie screamed walking into the kitchen holding my phone, effectively killing my excitement. “Ryan is the Mayor of Pussyville?”
Oh. Fuck. Shit. Piss.
“Um…” I placed the stubborn lid on the last dish as my brain scrambled for what to say. Instead, my jaw hung open and nothing came out.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she squealed. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Lena. I didn’t know he was your secret fuck buddy.”
My dad walked in, looked at both of us, and then wisely turned around and left the room. He was a well-seasoned father of two young females and knew better. There were just some things fathers didn’t need to know.
Katie’s hand went over her mouth. From behind her fingers, I heard a muffled, “Sorry for that too. Oops.”
I couldn’t believe she was apologizing to me. I certainly hadn’t seen it coming. Hell, I was the other woman in her brief, but—thank God—chaste relationship. In turn, she kind of was a side piece too. I’d be making it clear with Ryan that I was no longer okay with us being only casual.
I, Marlena Francine Bradshaw, wanted a real boyfriend. The commitment. The exclusivity. All of it. But not just with anyone. I wanted Ryan all to myself. Period. End of story.
This Thanksgiving was certainly one for the books.
I didn’t leave my baby sister hanging out there too long. None of this was her fault. I said, “You don’t need to be sorry. You didn’t know.”
“We never…” she began to explain and shook her head, truly apologetic. “He’s a great guy, but not my type.” After she finished speaking, Katie stood in a daze, her half-drunk eyes glassy and spaced out in thought.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She blinked three or four times before her gaze met mine. “Yeah, I’m just shocked. I mean, I was dating the mayor.”
I chuckled. The situation was becoming funnier now that it was nearly over and done. “I know. Trust me, I think it’s shocked all three of us.”
Katie shuffled over to me and grabbed both my hands in hers and then slumped forward with a gooey, dreamy look in her eyes. “Lena, he told me he was relieved I didn’t want to see him anymore. That he’s in love with someone else.”
In love? The fuck?
My mind spun. That shithead better have been talking about me.
“I’ve gotta go,” I told her. Then I quickly shouted to my parents I’d talk to them later.
7
Seconds…and Dessert
I made it back to his place in record time, only to be slowed down by my achy legs as I went up the stairs to his apartment.
My fists banged on his door, over and over, as I stood on his Bye, Felicia doormat.
“Let me in,” I shouted, knowing no one else would be around to care because our cars were the only two out front.
He opened the door and tipped his head to the side. “Hello there, Lena,” he sang.
Out of breath, I needed to get something clear—right off the bat.
I panted and asked, “Last night you didn’t say you loved fucking me, did you?”
“Nope,” he answered, his blue eyes smiled and charmed me.
I shoved past to get inside his small apartment and threw the bag of containers on the counter. He followed me after shutting and locking the door.
“What did you say?” I asked, feeling the limb I was going out on grow more solid beneath my feet.
Was this really happening? And why am I not scared at all? Why does this feel so right?
Why had it taken us so long to get here?
His arms wrapped around me, and his hands crept up my back, into my hair where he pulled it tight, tipping my eyes up to his.
Ryan cleared his throat. “I said I fucking love you.”
Heat spread through my body, like it always did when in contact with his, but Ryan’s expression shared with me that there was something else. As if he was only getting started.
“And?” I led.
“And we’re not seeing other people anymore. And next year we’re going to my family’s house for Thanksgiving. Mayor’s orders.” He leaned forward and bit my bottom lip. “Now are you going to tell me you love me back, or do I have to fuck it out of you?”
I did love him back, but I chose the latter. In turn, he gave me so much to be thankful for… all his love and three orgasms.
Of course, later I went back for seconds...and dessert. It was Thanksgiving after all.
The End
A Quick Note from M. Mabie
This short story is just a sampling of the hilariously steamy romantic comedies I’ve written and published over the past five years. I’d love to invite you to read any of my novels below, but especially the romantic comedies if you enjoyed Thanksgiving with the Mayor.
And to all my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving…always go back for seconds. ;)
Also by M. Mabie
STANDALONE ROMANTIC COMEDIES
Fade In
All the Way
One Week Stand
CITY LIMITS SERIES of STANDALONE ROMANTIC COMEDIES
Roots and Wings
Sunshine and Rain
Smoke and Mirrors
THE WAKE SERIES
Bait
Sail
Anchor
THE KNOT DUET
Twisted Desire
Tethered Love
THE BREAKING TRILOGY
Break My Fall
Break Me Down
Break the Faith
About M. Mabie
M. Mabie is a writer who made thousands of readers hate to love (and love to hate) the angst-filled contemporary romance, Bait.
Mabie lives in Illinois with her husband. She writes unconventional love stories and tries to embody "real-life romance." She cares about politics but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne's World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head.
She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost. M. Mabie usually doesn't speak in third person.
She promises.
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