Free Two Short Stories and Three Very Short Stories by Madeleine Oh Page A

in the running? I’d fallen for him like a felled oak. And got over him, or so I always told myself. I wasn’t the type to do unrequited love. But I’d hurt. Standing as bridesmaid at Penelope’s wedding was an agony I hoped never to repeat. Now was payback time. Alec owed for breaking my virgin heart, leaving a gaping hole in my cousin’s life, and for the handicapped son he’d abandoned. Penelope wouldn’t seek revenge. She was far too kind and up to her eyes with providing care. Simon missed his father desperately, Alec’s mother was too senile to realize he’d gone and poor Penelope was aging daily.
    But I was here, and willing, and as we settled in living room, overlooking the garden, I prepared to settle the score. One way or another.
    Trouble was, I liked Emily. I could hardly fault her for falling for Alec, I’d done the same when I hadn’t been that much younger than she was. And she was a fan. She had every one of my books, in hardback, and all but kissed my hands when I gave her an advanced copy of the new one. Hard to hate a woman who admires your work and mixes a mean G and T.
    By halfway through dinner, I seriously though about smushing Alec’s face into his tiramisu as he pontificated about local politics, the virtues of his new car, and the tremendous responsibilities of his job. How many more “Jazzikins” and “Emmsies” and “old things” was I prepared to endure? It was the last that got to me the worst. He had two years on me and I didn’t have gray hair. Thanks, science.
    Emily was far more tolerant than I. That’s what love does to you. But I caught the occasional spark of irritation, and the glances of female complicity she shot my way.
    I grinned back as her dark, gray eyes flashed amusement and when she hugged me for helping load the dishwasher, I squeezed back. Her body was warm and soft and her breasts pressed nicely against mine. She was my height, her body firmer and her breasts higher but we fit together, the old and new loves of Alec Carpenter.
    “How’s the coffee coming along, girls?” he called from the sitting room. Emily looked ready to give him hot coffee where it hurt.
    It was an odd after-dinner conversation. Emily wanted to talk about my books. I was more than happy to oblige. Alec didn’t exactly sneer at mysteries but he came darn close. Then he committed the cardinal sin “How much do you make on a book?”
    “Tell me what you earned last year, and I’ll tell you what I made.”
    He declined the invitation with an irritating laugh. “Oh. Jazzikins! You’ve changed.”
    In more ways than he could guess.
    I broke up the evening by pleading weariness. Emily kissed me good night with a promise of tea in the morning. Her lips were warm and ripe and young. Hugging her was a joy. I looked forward to my early morning cuppa.
    She brought it wearing a short pink robe with satin rosebuds scattered over the yoke. It suited her, bringing out highlights in her dark hair. She blushed deliciously when I told her so. Alec had seldom told me that I looked beautiful either. She sat on the edge of my bed and I watched her firm nipples ride underneath the thin cotton. I’d found my revenge. I just had to find the means.
    Alec handed it to me at breakfast.
    Emily was annoyed.
    I was thrilled.
    “Why this weekend? Didn’t you tell them you had a visitor?” Emily gave him the closest thing to a pout I’d seen yet.
    “Never mind.” Time to smooth some amicable oil over the marital waters. “If Alec has a crisis at work, he needs to go.”
    Emily muttered disagreement.
    “I knew Jazzikins would understand.” I got Alec’s best smile and heartfelt regrets. He did both really well. “I feel terrible mucking up your weekend when you’ve come so far.”
    “You haven’t mucked it up. Emily and I will frolic together in the fleshpots of Aberdeen.” Emily’s face brightened. Alec glowered. No other word for it. I gave him my sweet smile. “She’ll look after me, I’m