How can two people meet when they are both stuck at home? How can romance bloom when folks are separated? Love always finds a way, but it isn't always easy.
How can two people meet when they are both stuck at home? How can romance bloom when folks are separated? Love always finds a way, but it isn't always easy.
Excerpt
“Get off the bed.”
Ralph just gave me a bored look and rolled onto his back.
“I’m working, so be quiet.”
He’d already fallen asleep.
The phone rang. It was my sister, Jenny.
“Hey, Kelly, how are you doing?”
“I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I can work from home as long as my internet is operational, just like usual.”
“I wanted to make sure you weren’t getting lonely since you’re by yourself all the time.”
“I’m not alone. Ralph is here with me.”
She laughed. “Your rotten cat doesn’t count.”
I took no offense. Ralph was annoying. He really didn’t care about me—or anyone—unless I was on the phone.
He strolled to my desk and jumped up and onto the keyboard. He walked across it protesting. Loudly.
Jen laughed again. “I figured the sound of the phone would bring him out of hiding.”
“He wasn’t hiding. In fact, he was sprawled on his back in the middle of the guest bed in my office.”
“I thought you said he was never allowed up there, especially since Grandma’s quilt is on it.”
“Was. I put it away to keep it safe.”
“Why was he there in the first place?”
“Well, when I’m working, I usually close the door to keep him out, but he’s declared war on my sofa pillows. I figured it was cheaper to let him in. He’s also quieter when he’s in the same room with me.”
“You spoil that insane animal, you know.”
I sighed. “I guess I do.”
“I wanted to tell you about our Zoom cocktail hour.”
“You know I don’t drink.” Too many mean drunks on both sides of our family had convinced me to avoid alcohol altogether at an early age. Jenny doesn’t drink much either for the same reason.
“The genius of a Zoom get-together is no one will know what you’re drinking. Do what you do at business meetings.”
Years before, a friend suggested drinking sparkling water (or clear sparkling soft drinks) with a twist of lemon. As long as I looked like I was carrying a mixed drink, no one bothered me.
“Kel, I know you have lemons on your tree. You posted a photo on Facebook last week. And you usually have something clear and sparkling on hand.”
She had me there.
Professional Reviews
Dating Can be Fun
This is a short read that takes just the right, positive approach to a problematic situation for those wanting to date. The hero and heroine meet at a zoom cocktail party, they "date" by getting restaurant food delivered while skyping, and they fall in love through nightly conversations. All with the help of a lovable cat. Clean, crisp writing. Sweet romance.
COVID19 repreive
Living alone and going through COVID19 social distancing, I identified with Kelly. This is a heartwarming short story. By the end, I wanted to read more of their story. You will definitely enjoy it.
Cute romantic story
I enjoyed it. Lorna is wonderful at writing and this was fun and fast. I highly recommend it for you to read.
Shirine McVey discovers that twenty years of her life have elapsed since she went to sleep in a hotel room in El Paso, Texas. And worse, she is married to a man she doesn't know.
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