Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Strangers in Love
A Feeling You Can't Ignore
Ask Her Again
A Boss to Love and Hate
Ask Me Out
About the Author
Romantic Moments
5 Romantic Short Stories
by Norah C. Peters
Copyright 2013 by Norah C. Peters
ROMANTIC MOMENTS - 5 ROMANTIC SHORT STORIES is a work of fiction. Names, characters and events are either the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual places, happenings or people, living or dead is coincidental.
All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
Strangers in Love
A Feeling You Can't Ignore
Ask Her Again
A Boss to Love and Hate
Ask Me Out
About the Author
Strangers in Love
It was a gloomy Monday morning in January and Rachel shivered as she reluctantly waited for her train to work. She wished she was at home curled up in her warm bed with a good man, any man. But without her at the helm Western civilization wouldn't last another day. As one of London's top management accountants and with the outlook of the successfully single she knew that work must come before love.
The frost crunched under his feet as he approached and stopped just 50 feet from where she stood on the train platform but Rachel was in no mood to check him out. She was too busy watching her breath turn to fog.
When she did look to her side just as the train approached she nearly fell over. The guy was her ultimate dream. Dressed to the nines in a fine black overcoat and shiny new brogues, he stood out from the crowd. He was tall, dark and very handsome. His short dark hair, his chiseled chin and his muscular frame made it hard to ignore him. What was he doing here with lesser mortals? Shouldn't he be on a deserted beach with that blonde from the shampoo ad.?
Rachel dragged herself onto the train, her heart thumping fast, she looked around, and he was gone. Another victim of commuter hell. Dangerous business this getting onto rush hour trains. She checked her reflection in the train window. She looked at her early morning best, long black hair tumbled down to her shoulders, her make up was just right and she looked attractive but professional in her new coat. At 34 already, she looked great, she knew she did, why then was she so single?
Two months later, their, or rather, her routine was established. Take her position on the platform, right by the second pillar from the end, wait for him, discretely stare at him until he got close then completely ignore him until the train arrived. It worked like a charm. And he always looked fabulous. Little did he know that he was the reason she impatiently waited for her 6:30 morning alarm to go off. What was left of her passion for accounting had been usurped by her keen appreciation of his jawline. When he got his periodic haircuts, always on the first week of the month, Rachel would carefully critique it. This month's style, very short at the sides, was particularly pleasing, it made the most of that thick head of black hair. She guessed he was 40, a very fit 40.
"Amy, I met a guy," Rachel decided it was time to tell someone.
"Really, that's great. So, what's his name?" Her P.A. asked.
"I don't know yet, Amy, we haven't had a chance to talk, not yet, we will, soon."
Amy shook her head. "Not another one of your fantasies is it, Rachel? You really need to get out there and start dating again."
Rachel glared at Amy. "It's a guy I see every morning at the train station. He's hot. Really, I'm not joking. I think he's seen me looking at him, he seemed pleased about it."
"I'm sure he was, Rachel. If I was a guy and an attractive, successful business woman was checking me out, I 'd be happy about it too. Why don't you introduce yourself?"
Rachel played with her necklace. "I'm waiting for him to approach me."
"That didn't work too well the last time you saw someone you like. Remember, Rachel? I'm sure the poor man didn't even know you were interested. You can't expect these men to be mind readers. You're asking too much."
"Yes, you're right as usual, Amy. I'm just afraid if I approach him he'll think I'm a stalker or worse he might think I want to review his accounts. All kidding aside, he is my dream date so I'm afraid he's too good looking to be interested in someone like me. A girl has to know her place, you know."
"Rubbish. Rachel, any guy who gets to go out with you is very lucky indeed. Just say hello the next morning you see him, and leave the ball in his court, take the pressure off, say hello every morning he shows up, and see what develops."
Rachel nodded her head. "That's not a bad idea. He's on the platform every morning at 7.24, and he stands at the same point, just along from where I stand."
"Oh my God, you do sound like a stalker," Amy laughed.
"It's been a while, Amy, okay, maybe I'm a little desperate. Well ,actually, I'm very desperate. Okay, here's what I'll do, tomorrow morning when I see him I'll say hello."
"Okay, it's better than nothing, Rachel. That'll surely get his attention and make him want you. I don't know quite how he'll control himself but go ahead." Amy teased.
"Don't be so mean, I'm not as confident with men as you are, Amy. We can't all be divas."
Amy glared at Rachel. "I'm no diva, I just don't mess about, when I know what I want, I go for it. Nothing extraordinary about that."
Rachel shrugged. "Whatever, I better get back to work. I'll let you know how I get on."
Amy headed for the door. "Make sure you do, I want all the juicy gossip, all of it, don't leave anything out."
* * *
Tuesday morning. At 7:24 on the dot he arrived. Rachel felt her heart flutter, she forced herself to smile to hide her nerves and squeaked out: "Good morning". She spoke so softly he didn't even hear her. He stood there, looking straight ahead, oblivious to her efforts to grab his attention.
Out of desperation or maybe frustration, Rachel took a few steps towards him and dropped her briefcase. He immediately turned, looked down and picked it up.
"Here you go, I'm always dropping mine too," he smiled and handed the briefcase to Rachel.
Rachel noticed his Scottish accent and found another reason to like him. She smiled nervously. "Oh, thank you, I don't know how that happened. I must have been day dreaming, again."
"You're welcome. Oh sorry, let me introduce myself, I'm Steven Gortwood, very pleased to meet you." He held out his hand.
"Pleased to meet you too, I'm Rachel Dunston," she stuttered.
"You're an early bird, you're always here first when I get here in the morning, you must be one of those can't wait to get to work people," he joked.
"No, not at all, I get here 3 minutes before you each morning," Rachel replied, suddenly embarrassed, realizing that she now definitely did look like a stalker.
Steven laughed, "You obviously have a keen eye for detail, that girl over there, what time does she get here?"
Rachel brightened up and tried not to stare at his blue eyes, "She arrives 1 minute after you, the guy talking to her is always here 5 minutes before her. Once a month she doesn't go to work and he looks distraught. That elderly couple at the end, they never stop talking, they casually arrive 2 minutes before the train without fail, day after day. I guess they visit friends in town, they never seem stressed out like the rest of the commuters."
Steven raised his voice over the noise of the approaching train. "Very interesting, We have our own soap opera playing out each morning and I never noticed. You'll have to tell me more tomorrow. It was fun talking to you, Rachel. Let's join the scrum for
a seat. I get on at the next carriage, one of my colleagues waits for me. See you tomorrow."
The train rumbled by and screeched to a halt. Rachel, feeling surprisingly energetic for this time of day, hopped on, tried to slow her breathing and smiled all the way to the office.
* * *
"Amy, it was amazing. We chatted away until the train came. He's got a great accent, sounds Scottish to me. And his eyes are gorgeous, deep blue. I think I'm in love, again. I fell in love with the idea of him a few weeks ago, now, it's the real deal."
"At last, at long last, Rachel. It's been agony for me too, all this dilly dallying about, at last... you spoke to him. So, what's next?"
"Hopefully, we'll chat again tomorrow. I need to find out if he's single first. No point in reeling him in if he's not. I'm not looking for complications no matter how fit he is," Rachel laughed.
"Of course, Rachel, in that case, here's the plan. Find out if he's single, swap numbers and play it cool. You don't want to appear desperate, even though you are," Amy smiled.
"Easy for you to say, Amy. I've been single for so long it feels like I'm starting all over again. I'm quite nervous about this. If he doesn't like me, I'll be disappointed but I'd then need to start getting up earlier."
"Why on earth would you need to do that, Rachel?"
"Because, Amy, I see him on the platform, every, single morning, silly. It would be far too embarrassing to get turned down and have to face him everyday. I couldn't bear the thought of it."
"No need to over think this. Take it a step at a time. Trust me I have a lot of experience at this. More than I should admit, ha ha," Amy giggled.
* * *
At 7:24 the next morning Steven sauntered onto the platform and came to a standstill next to Rachel, "Good morning, Rachel, how are you this fine morning?"
"Oh hi Steven, I'm great, how are you?"
Steven took a step closer. "Simply marvelous. Actually, I have a confession to make. My colleague on the train, I've been telling him about you."
Rachel blushed and felt the temperature rising, "Oh really, nothing too serious I hope."
"I told him about your soap opera at the station, he thought it was sheer brilliance. What a great way to take the drudge out of the morning rush hour."
Distracted by Steven's lovely accent Rachel paused before responding. "Oh thanks, it's purely for self-preservation, it stops me losing my mind before I make it to the office."
"Anyway, I was wondering, if it's not too forward, would you like to meet up another time for a chat?" Steven asked.
"That would be nice," Rachel struggled to control her excitement, "One thing though, will that be okay with your girlfriend? I don't want to cause any trouble."
"Don't worry. I'm very successfully single. Maybe it's not cool to say this but I've been waiting for two months to talk to you. You caught my eye the first time I saw you. The other day when you dropped your briefcase I silently thanked the Gods for gravity," Steven laughed.
"Or for clumsiness," Rachel laughed as she looked into Steven's blue eyes.
Steven looked down the track. "Look, the train's coming, let's swap cards," with a sense of urgency he handed over his card and put Rachel's card in his wallet.
* * *
The next morning at 7:24 Steven failed to take his place on the platform. The same the next day, the same all week. Rachel was worried.
"I don't know what happened, Amy. We had a great chat and I haven't seen him in a week."
"There could be lots of reasons for that, Rachel, maybe he's working out of town for a week, maybe he's off sick. Don't jump to conclusions. Show me his card again."
Amy felt the thick white card and read the text: "Steven Gortwood CEO Phoenix Property Development Group." "Now, let's do a quick search and see what we find, I'm more of a stalker than you'll ever be," Amy joked. "As I suspected from what you said. Look, it says here, he's self made, from Edinburgh, one of Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs of the last 10 years and an avid sportsman. He enjoys tennis, golf and yachting."
Rachel moved closer to read the text. "Why didn't I think of doing that? I suppose I was hoping to hear it from him directly. When I see him I'll mention the engineering project I'm working on. These property developer guys usually love talking about all that."
"That's the attitude, Rachel. Always be closing, always keep things moving along," Amy encouraged.
Rachel laughed, "It's not a sales campaign, relax girl."
"Maybe it's not, but believe me, if you don't keep the momentum alive at this point, this'll all fizzle away faster than that train gets you into town. Trust me, Rachel, I've had enough dating disasters of my own, I speak from experience.
"So, you need to decide right now what you're going to do next. Either stand at that platform every morning waiting for another no show or phone him. Why do you think he gave you his card? Do you look like you are in the market for a developer to build a row of houses?"
Rachel stared at Steven's business card, felt the thick, textured paper and knew Amy was right. She had a choice to make, wait on destiny or pick up the phone and help destiny along.
* * *
For two weeks 7:24 came and went without Steven. Before long Rachel was embarrassed to be seen standing there alone in her usual spot. There she was, the girl who scared men away with the flick of her wrist and the fall of her briefcase. That happy elderly couple were chatting away as usual, talking about her, laughing at her. They must find her hilarious. That's why they take the early train. They'd heard about her and her pathetic attempts to get a man. It must have made their day when she made that move on Steven. They probably can't wait for the next sorry installment. Sorry to disappoint but there won't be another one.
Rachel was furious by the time the train arrived. She stood in the crowded carriage and fired a text to Steven: "You getting a different train these days?" She was too upset to be more adventurous and left it at that.
Amy cornered her as soon as she got settled in her office. "Morning Rachel, so, tell me, what's the latest with that hot guy you met? You've been awfully quite about him."
"Morning Amy, and, how are you today? Nothing to report, unfortunately. I haven't seen him since that morning, it's been two weeks already. Although, I did send him a quick text you'll be pleased to hear."
"Good, I'm pleased to hear that, Rachel. Don't let this one get away, okay? So, what did you say in the text? I hope it was something witty."
Rachel frowned and looked away. "Not really, I just said hello."
"Alright, better than nothing I suppose. Catch you later." Amy patted Rachel on the shoulder and sped out the door and back down the hall.
Rachel checked her phone again. Nothing. She switched it off, switched it back on again. Still nothing. He must have seen the text by now. Whatever. Back to work.
Rachel shut her door, spread the paperwork for the new project on her desk and got stuck in. She had to produce the financials for a new engineering project by 8 that evening. It was going to be a long, hard day but secretly she loved it. It was fun being part of something so grand.
Before she knew it time had stood still and her mind was full of numbers, calculations and that looming deadline. She was oblivious to the rest of the office and she was making steady progress. She jumped when her desk phone rang.
"Hello, Rachel speaking," she muttered distractedly into the phone.
"Hello Rachel, great to hear your voice again. It's Steven, Steven Gortwood."
Rachel felt her heart thumping and tried to sound relaxed. "Oh, hello Steven. It's been a while."
"Yes, two weeks to the day if I remember correctly. I just got your text. I feel terrible about this. I got called away to a building project in Miami the day we met. There were some problems that were holding up the construction and I had to fly over here right away. I'll be here in Miami for another week. I should have phoned you sooner."
Rachel couldn't stop smiling and played absentmindedly with her hair.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I've been up to my neck in work myself. I'm running the financials for an engineering project."
"Oh really, sounds interesting," Steven laughed, "You might find this strange but ever since I was a little boy I've always enjoyed everything to do with construction. Your work sounds very interesting. You'll have to tell me more when I see you again."
Rachel felt a rush of heat to her neck and face. She paused, took a deep breath and tried to sound normal. "It's a date, sorry, I meant, that's a deal. So, when are you back? The morning gang on platform 1 have missed you. I'm sure that elderly couple have been wondering what happened to you. They'll be relieved to hear you're okay," Rachel laughed.
"Ha, ha! I'm sure they will be. When they see my new tan they'll have plenty to speculate about," Steven joked.
Rachel squirmed in her seat, she imagined that chiseled jaw with a golden tan set against his short black hair. She swept her hair back and caressed the back of her neck before she could reply. "Very funny. Will I see you at the station then next week?"
"I arrive back just after 9 on Wednesday morning. I was thinking, if it's not too forward of me, how about meeting after work for tea and cake in the West End? Say, meet at Piccadilly Circus at 7. What do you think?"
Rachel grinned from ear to ear. "Yes, why not? And no, of course, that's not too forward, we are members of the platform 1 gang after all. I look forward to it. Chocolate cake and Earl Grey for me by the way. It'll be fun."
"Excellent. I have so much to tell you, I can't wait. Bye for now, Rachel."
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