One Little Letter_A Bad Boy, Second Chance Romance

by Robin Edwards

  The next morning, I opened up my email as I always did the second I got to my desk and turned on my computer. As always it was full of requests from my coworkers begging for my assistance. It wasn’t even my job to help them. I immediately became aware that my secret admirer sent me a second email and before I even considered responding to either one of them, I decided to get Monica’s opinion on the matter.

  “Thank you for showing these to me.”

  “I actually wasn’t planning on showing these to anyone let alone mentioning them. What do you think of all this? Legitimate or a prank?” I asked.

  “I think that he’s either the greatest man on the planet or he’s bad news.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I am DEFINITELY not writing him back.” I sighed and closed the email.

  “I didn’t even tell you to write him back.” Monica laughed as Luke, the sleaze ball, approached him.

  “Ladies, ladies. The meeting has been pushed back an hour and unfortunately there have been changes.” He said as he sniffed Monica. “Is that you? What is that ever so wonderful fragrance?”

  “It’s called: I’m married, I’m your boss, I’m old enough to be your mother and you should know better.” Monica retorted.

  “Where can I buy it?” Luke winked and laughed before he realized that his sense of humor was wasted on both of them.

  After the delayed meeting on my way back to my desk, I noticed a beautiful bouquet of flowers on Beth’s desk.

  “Those flowers are so gorgeous. Are they yours?”

  “No. Someone just sent them here. There was no name on it or anything. They are so beautiful.”

  “Maybe they are from your secret admirer.” Bridgette said jokingly.

  “Oh, that would be so wonderful. Romantic, too. Oh, I wish.” Beth gushed.

  “Wouldn’t that bother you? The secret admirer thing I mean. Wouldn’t you worry that they were weird?”

  “Gosh, no. Thinking that way would ruin the fun, don’t you think?” Beth gushed again.

  Bridgette walked away and headed straight to her desk and turns on her computer and opened up her email immediately. There it was, two emails from her secret admirer. Bridgette sat there contemplating her lack of suitors and at the moment, she couldn’t help but think about all of the worst possible outcomes that could result if she responded to the emails. However, if she didn’t respond, she could be missing out on Mr. Right.

  She hadn’t thought about nor believed in the concept since Kyle’s father left almost nine years ago but then again a little whimsy couldn’t hurt.

  Bridgette opened her email and replied to the most recent one that was sent and replied:

  Do I even know you? If so, where from?

  On the other side of town, Sean sat there anxiously waiting for a response. They had agreed that if B, the mystery woman, didn’t respond back that he was going to take it as a hint to move on.

  Just when he was ready to give up and just focus on the work day ahead, he gets an email notification. Sean clicked on it immediately and noticed it was from B.

  “Hell yeah! It’s her, Patrick! It’s her! She has finally written me back!!!”

  “No way!” Patrick said excitedly and walked over to read the response. “What does it say?”

  “I don’t know, I didn’t even open it yet.”

  “What the hell are you waiting for? Open it!”

  “Okay.” Sean panicked and clicked the email open.

  “Do I even know you?” both men read aloud in unison.

  “Do I even know you?” Patrick repeats aloud again. Exasperated, he turned back towards his desk.

  “Wait, that’s a very valid question.”

  “Well, it isn’t exactly exploding with enthusiasm or joy.” Patrick said.

  “No, but it’s a great start.” Sean muttered to himself and began typing a response.

  “Don’t tell me you are already responding to her. She’s going to think you’re certifiably desperate.”

  “That is exactly what I am doing.” Sean muttered to himself again as he typed his response:

  No, but I am fascinated by you. Isn’t that a fantastic place to start at?

  Later that night, Bridgette checked her email one last time before she headed home. It had been a long work day fielding requests from coworkers, her own projects, meeting after meeting. She didn’t know how long she would be able to keep up with this. This was certainly worth a promotion or at least a raise. Bridgette noticed that she received a reply from her secret admirer but she was plagued with the thought of having to do all of her chores at home and a million other silly reasons, she convinced herself that she had no time for games and turned off her computer.

  When she got home, she was intrigued by her computer that she had left on when she went to work and was tempted to check her email but thought better of it and set about completing her chores. It was hours later when she was finally finished and she managed to wash the dishes, do a couple of loads of laundry and vacuum. The entire time she cleaned she couldn’t help but think of the email. If she wasn’t thinking of the email then she thought about how easier it was when there was someone else to share these chores with but that reason left years ago.

  When Bridgette was finished and put the vacuum back in the hallway closet, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was making a mistake by not answering.

  Giving into temptation, she goes back to her computer and opens her email and reads his response of being fascinated by her. She prayed he wasn’t a nut and replied.

  “Hey Patrick, check this out!” Sean said excitedly as Patrick took his turn in their game of shuffleboard.

  “Let me guess, mystery woman responded?”

  “You are correct! She did respond.” Sean said as he read her response to him out loud:

  There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t be writing you back, but five reasons why I am.

  Because I have never had a secret admirer before and I’m trying to convince myself that you are not some crazy felon.

  I could eat more Italian food than most men.

  I like your choice of words.

  You’re starting to make me feel alive

  I’d like to think that I also believe in true love.

  But the fact remains that I haven’t the slightest clue as to who you are or what you even look like which is a huge disadvantage for me, considering you know what I look like. To be honest, it’s kind of creepy and scary.

  “I should send her a photo,” Sean said as he stared at the email.

  “No! Don’t send any pictures. If the whole thing goes bad and she ends up running into you, then she’ll punch you in the face.”

  “Wait, there’s more!”

  While I’m not comfortable meeting you in person, I’m pretty okay with getting to know you through email.

  With that, they started to email each other back and forth for several days sharing little tidbits about each other including their first major crush; Sean's was his 6th-grade teacher.

  Chapter Four

  “Hey Bridgette, did you hear the great news?” Days had passed when Monica walked to Bridgette’s cubicle only to find she was glued to her computer screen reading. Monica bent over to snoop and realized she was reading an email that looked like it came from Bridgette’s secret admirer.

  “Are you and that internet guy, writing emails back and forth?” Monica said surprised.

  “Just one little letter, so far. I don’t know what I’m doing.” Bridgette shrugged.

  “Why don’t you tell me all about it?” Monica said laughing.

  “So what’s the big news?” Bridgette asked curiously as Beth walked over with a box full of belongings and placed it on the cubicle adjacent to Bridgette.

  “Howdy, neighbor.” Beth crooned.

  “Beth got promoted to Project Coordinator, seems like Vince liked some of her ideas when she was in the training program.”

  “Was this the project you told me about?” Bridgette asked
.

  “Yeah. This is all so crazy huh?”

  “Well, congratulations. You must be so excited.” Bridgette hugged her excitedly.

  “I’m shocked and already overwhelmed, but I’m ready to dive right in,” Beth said as Luke came over with another box of Beth’s belongings.

  “Here you are your things, Beth. Remember, if you ever need anything just ask Bridgette. She knows everything. Now, to change the subject entirely, care to join me for lunch, my treat! Let’s say it’s a congratulations gift on your promotion.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Beth said.

  Trying to hide his joy, Luke made a half cheer attempt, “Alright! She’s going to have lunch with me!” and strutted away.

  Later that night

  Carrying a load of laundry, Bridgette called for Kyle. “Hey buddy, your laundry is done, come and get it.”

  When Kyle shows up, she says “You know what to do with it right?”

  “Uh huh,” Kyle says as he grabs the laundry basket and scampers away to his room.

  Exhausted from the long day, Bridgette heads over to her computer and sits down and decides to respond to the Secret Admirer’s latest email:

  Well, you weren’t the only one who had a crush on a teacher. My teacher crush was in the 8th grade, and I thought he was perfect. Turns out, he ended up getting arrested and put in jail for shoplifting right in front of my mother and me.

  Bridgette clicked send, and it became a series of emails they sent back and forth to each other over the next several weeks:

  Sean

  My best friend is my dog, Corey. Named after the actor of course. Because all white colored dogs have different genetics, he was born deaf. All completely white colored dogs are.

  Bridgette

  My weirdest job was a waitress for a cheese store…

  Sean

  I’ve had more women in my life than most. There were very few men in my family. I had lots of aunts, grandmothers, female cousins, nieces…

  Bridgette

  I was a rock star, in my mind…

  Sean

  I was a star athlete. Right. I couldn’t even catch a ball. Dessert, Cheesecake. You?

  Bridgette

  Who doesn’t love cheesecake?

  Days later

  “Who is a genus? Me, that’s what!” Sean gloated as he sealed the envelopes of his latest marketing proposal for their client and gave it to the receptionist to ship out.

  “Yeah right. You are almost as good as me. What started your confidence engine? Oh, that’s right, your internet relationship.” Patrick teased.

  “Relationship is right!”

  On the other side of town

  Beth walks up to Bridgette’s cubicle and places a vase full of lilies on her desk. “This is for you.”

  “From who?” Bridgette eyes the flowers suspiciously.

  “From your secret admirer.” Beth teased. When she saw the awkward expression on Bridgette’s face, she confessed, “I meant me. Just a small thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

  “Oh, well thank you, Beth. They’re beautiful.”

  “You looked horrified for a second. It’s the concept of a secret admirer, isn’t it?”

  “Well, I actually kind of have one. We’re exchanging emails right now.” Bridgette confessed.

  “Oh my god, that’s so exciting! Are you two going to meet?” Beth asked excitedly.

  “Oh god, no. Not yet. If ever. Oh, I don’t know.” Bridgette said confused.

  Beth eyes her suspiciously and came to the conclusion that Bridgette is out of touch when it came to dating and really wanted her to find a real man. “Listen, I’m having this dinner party at my house on Saturday night. You really should come, there will be a lot of good looking guys there.”

  “I can’t. I don’t have anyone to watch Kyle that day. My usual babysitter is out of town visiting relatives.”

  “Don’t you remember, Kyle has a sleepover party with my sons,” Monica said joining their conversation.

  “Since when?” Bridgette eyes Monica.

  “Since now.” Monica looks at Beth, “She’ll be there in her best dress.”

  “Great!” Beth said excitedly and left the room to grab lunch.

  “Your ex-husband left years ago. Isn’t it time that you got out there and start dating again?”

  That night

  “Listen, I know I’ve been making fun of you a lot but how is it going with mystery girl?” Sean asks while sipping a beer he had ordered from the bar they usually frequented during on occasion during a weeknight.

  “It’s been going great. Very romantic. We’ve been exchanging longer letters via email. Amazing stories. I feel like we really are getting to know each other, as much as one can.”

  “Kind of weird, but I’m happy for you,” Patrick says and pats Sean on the back.

  “To be honest, she comes across different than how she looks.”

  “How so?” Patrick asked.

  “A lot of ways. Funnier, more down-to-earth. Sincere. Almost like she’s one of those people who doesn't even realize how amazing they are.” Sean reminisced.

  “You know what else is strange. Where ever I go, I keep thinking I see her, and then it ends up not being her.”

  Just then, Beth walks into the same bar and passes by Sean and Patrick’s table heading towards the bartender.

  “Oh my god, it’s her. It’s B.” Sean gasped. “I better hide.”

  “She doesn’t know what you look like, remember,” Patrick said, rolling his eyes.

  Standing up, Sean downs all of his beer and prepares himself to approach Beth at the bar stool she was standing next to with her friend and starts pacing.

  “What are you doing?” Patrick asked

  “I don’t know. I don’t know.” Sean starts pacing even more erratically.

  “Do you want to blow your cover. I know you would, is this how you dreamt of meeting her for the first time?” Patrick pleaded.

  “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s get out of here.” Sean panicked and walked right into Beth and her martini splashes all over the front of his shirt.

  “Oh my god, I am soooooooooo sorry. I will pay for your dry cleaning bill, buy you another shirt or another drink…”

  “Don’t worry about,” Sean said staring at Beth. “Tell you what, you can buy me a drink. How about coffee tomorrow?”

  “I don’t even know you.”

  “But we would get to know each other, over coffee.”

  “Tell you what, I’m having friends over on Saturday. Stop by if you want.” Beth says as she writes her name and her address on a cocktail napkin and hands it to Sean.

  Sean looks at the napkin, “I would love to. I’m Sean. Sean Martin.” and holds out his hand.

  Beth shakes his hand and says, “See you Saturday, Sean Martin.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. It was nice meeting you.” Sean says and heads out the door with Patrick following.

  “Well, that was a first.” Beth’s friend Allison says giggling.

  Days pass quickly, and it was the evening of Beth’s party. Bridgette hadn’t been out on the social scene in years and wasn’t looking forward to it, but she couldn’t skip out on Beth’s gathering she was having at her house. Lease she could do is meet the few people that would be there and make some new friends. Maybe find someone to date. Not that she was interested in doing so.

  When she shows up to the address Beth gave her, the music was blasting so loud you could hear the music from outside. Bridgette immediately gets nervous and uncomfortable but talks herself into going inside.

  Beth sees her right away and hugs here, “Bridgette, you made it! And you brought cheesecake.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was going to be a party.”

  “Didn’t I tell you?” Beth asked as Allison walks up and puts a lock hanging from a strong around Bridgette’s neck.

  “What is this?”

  “Women get lock necklaces, and the men get
the keys. If you find a match tonight, then tonight is whatever you want it to be.” Beth said and winked while Bridgette groans.

  “Beth always throws the best singles parties,” Allison exclaimed taking the cheesecake from Bridgette and headed towards the kitchen.

  “You didn’t tell me this was going to be a single’s party,” Bridgette stated.

  “Would you have come if I did?”

  “Err, no,” Bridgette said. “This is a big house. How can you afford this?”

  “Oh, this is my cousin’s house. He asked me to housesit while he was overseas, backpacking in Europe. Aren’t I lucky? Go mingle, Bridgette!”

  Bridgette rolls her eyes and walks around taking in the social scenery and finds herself outside on the patio with a beer from the cooler as Sean shows up at the front door.

  As he walks in, he hands the cheesecake he was holding in his hand to Allison. He sees Beth on the other side of the room, right away and calls out to her.

  “Beth! Beth!”

  Beth walks up to him confused and unaware of who he was until he reminded her, “Hey it’s Sean. Sean Martin.”

  When it finally dawns on her, who he was, she exclaims, “Right! The guy who wore my drink!”

  “Yeah, exactly. I brought a cheesecake, but your friend took it from me.”

  “Wow, that’s like the second cheesecake of the night. But who doesn’t like cheesecake?”

  “Yeah! Exactly! So, this is less intimate than I expected.”

  “It’s a singles party. You know, the more, the merrier.” Beth says as she puts a key necklace around his neck.

  “Oh, I get it.”

  “Well, catch you later! Go mingle!” Beth urges and walks away quickly before Sean could say any more.

  “Okay…uh, yes,” Sean says to himself as he finds himself all alone at the party of the girl of his dreams who he just wants to be alone with. Assuming he’ll catch up with her later, he walks around checking out the place until he finds himself out on the back patio. He hands down and pulls out a beer bottle out of the cooler near the patio sliding door and takes a swig as he walks down the back steps.