🙂 Tuesday is upon us once again!! Let the #Blogbattle begin!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word:  Reach

Genre:  Romance ❤

Better Than Brownies

Eden finds herself standing alone in the kitchen, it’s much quieter in here.  Thinking to herself, I still don’t know why I am here.  I am too old for this crap.  No…that’s a lie, I’m not that old, and I am here because it’s my younger sister’s housewarming party.  Our 9 year age difference usually isn’t so noticeable, and it’s not, when it’s just her and I.  But being surrounded by her 30-ish friends, is making me feel my 40-ish years.  I think I’m going to call it a night, but not before I make my way over to the food table, hoping to get one of her famous double chocolate brownies.  She assures me that even though she did not use the “secret” ingredient she used to use in high school, they will taste the same.  Kelly makes the best brownies.

As I walk into the other room, I can see there is one left, I lock my sights on it as I approach the table weaving in and out of the horde of people talking, dancing, and taking group selfies.  Just as I am about to reach for it, some guy accidentally bumps into me on my right.  He apologizes profusely, and I just smile and say, “It’s OK.”

I turn back to grab the brownie and it’s gone.  I look to my left and there he is, with half of the brownie in his mouth and the other half in his hand.  I look from his hand to his mouth and back to his hand.  He mumbles with his mouth full, “These are really good,” as he enthusiastically points to the half-eaten brownie with his other hand, not sure he can be understood over the music.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t know.” Eden replies flatly, but loudly to be heard over the music.  Arms crossed.

He has swallowed it by now, and the music quiets so he says.  “I’m sorry, I took the last one.”  It then dawns on him and he starts to ramble, “I just…were you…” as he gestures to himself, to the brownie, then to the table not sure what to say, or how to make this right.

I hold up my hand, and shake my head assuring him with a smile,  “It’s fine.”  I’m actually enjoying myself watching him grovel.  Wondering who he is, he looks about as out of place in this crowd as I feel.  He must be close to my age.

He holds up the half eaten bit, “There’s still some left, I’ll share.”

This is getting ridiculous now, “No, really…you enjoy it.  I was actually on my way out.”  I twist my body as I point towards the door.

“Let me make it up to you.  Are you walking?”  He inquires, I nod my head yes.

“Then let me walk you home.  There’s a nice little 24 hour joint not far from here, we can stop and have some coffee, and dessert.”  He says with those gorgeous blue eyes pleading.

“Sure…let me just say good night to my sister.  By the way, I’m Eden.”  She holds out her hand.

With one hand splayed against his broad chest, and the other reaching for hers in a handshake, he says, “Declan.  Nice to meet you Eden.  I work with Kelly’s boyfriend, Miles.”

With a nod and a smile, “It’s nice to meet you, Declan.  I’ll be right back.  I’ll meet you at the door.” I leave to say goodbye to my sister.

We meet back up at the door and walk out into the cool crisp night.

True to his word, the 24-hour joint is nice and is little.  It’s not hard to find a table, being the only ones there.  We order coffee and slices of chocolate cream pie.

Now that we are in the brighter light, I realize that Declan is probably close to my age, wearing a plain white button down oxford shirt, and some jeans, which is probably why he looked out of place back at my sister’s party.  But by far was the best looking guy there.

I take a bite of the pie and am surprised at how good it is and comment as such, “Mmmm…this is actually pretty good…that is, for pie.  I mean it’s not a deliciously decadent double chocolate brownie…but it’s good.”

“You’re not going to let that go are you?”

I rest my chin in my hand like I’m deep in thought for a brief moment, and then reply, “Nope…absolutely not.” I lift my cup of coffee and take a sip eyeing him playfully over the rim of the mug.

“Well, what can I say, other than it was worth it,” he says with a smug grin.

We talk some more, then realize that it has gotten late.  We continue talking as he walks me home.  Somewhere along the way he reaches for my hand to entwine our fingers as if it’s what we always do.

He walks me all the way to my front door, and as we stand on the porch I say, “Thanks for the coffee and the pie.  I would have never guessed consorting with a brownie thief would be so enjoyable.  You know…you still owe me a brownie.”

He drops his head in mock defeat, then looks up directly into my eyes and says, “Next time, but until then maybe this will help.”  He steps in front of me sliding one hand in my hair at the nape of my neck and reaches his other arm around my waist to pull me close, he gently presses his lips to mine.  For a moment we are lost sharing new feelings in a way that words cannot express.  Reluctantly Declan pulls away.  Pleasantly shocked and a little breathless, I say, “yeah…that was sooo much better than a brownie.”

With a mischievous grin and a quiet laugh, Declan says, “Good night Eden, sweet dreams,” as he turns and walks away.

© 2015 Carrie Ann

This is my Hail Mary pass for this week.  Was having a hard time with the prompt, but this finally came to me 😐
And I’m under 1000 words….YES!!  Two of my favorite things…romance and chocolate 🙂

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/87363185@N00/2977887792″>Chocolate beetroot brownies</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;