We wrote notes and placed them in envelopes labeled with our names—Tori and Toby. After that, I attached Tori’s to the first 12 days, and she added mine to the remaining days. 🎄❄️☃️🎄❄️☃️ Tori Four days later, it was the start of Advent. On the 1st day of Advent. I opened the envelope. It was an appointment at Sandy’s Spa for today—an all-day treatment, massage, facial, and nails. I’m a regular customer, and Sandy always...

Approaching the window, I noticed there were no curtains, with the lights clearly on, shining onto the wet pavement. You look, don't you, see what's inside. She was draped on an armchair, crossed legs bared out of her bathrobe, not pretending, looking straight at me. I stopped, of course, looking back at her, eye to eye. Her hands reached for the belt and undid it. She opened her legs, pulling the robe clear to show her n...

Whatever greeting I expected from Aurelia when she opened the door, it wasn’t the tight hug and giddy kiss she planted on my lips. “Uh... hi,” I said, off-balance. Aurelia rolled her eyes, pulling back with a light chuckle. “Screw you. I’m allowed to be happy to see you. It’s been forever.” “It’s been two weeks,” I muttered, before shooting a feverish glance over her shoulder at the empty living room. “Finn’s not here?” T...

As summer approached, things were changing for Bobby. More busy than ever, he ran himself ragged trying to finish school, apply for even more scholarships, and get ready for graduation, all while keeping his growing business going. There was little doubt he’d be accepted into the local state university, but the letter of acceptance confirmed another hurdle had been jumped. He was still getting referrals for new customers,...

It wasn’t even a real office, just a cheap IKEA desk wedged into the corner of the so-called master bedroom in a cramped apartment I never planned to stay in long. It never felt like home, and wasn’t supposed to. It was a stopover, a holding cell, the kind of temporary arrangement that felt beneath a fifty-year-old man coming off twenty-five years of marriage. No fights. No cheating. Nothing thrown or broken. Just a slow,...

The hotel bar in downtown Chicago was softly lit, where conversations mixed with the sound of jazz piano. Cary sat alone on a leather stool near the end of the bar, her martini glass reflecting the light above. The midweek conference had been dull; name tags and bad coffee. There was no spark, no excitement. No one worth seducing. She wore a low-cut, red mini-skirt that clung to her curves and revealed her dancer’s legs c...

James Johnson was in most ways a typical, suburban, sixteen-year-old. His grades in school ensured he was on the honor roll. He was blessed with good friends. He was a decent athlete and played junior varsity baseball and basketball even though he was experiencing a growing spurt and was self-conscious about being clumsy. "You're just getting used to a bigger body, Honey! You'll grow into those shoes soon enough," his mot...

I will never forget our first Christmas together. My husband, Keith, had this tradition of having a Christmas party the weekend before the holiday. He would have his family and friends over for a big blowout. This year, since we have moved and gotten married, his family would not be able to come, and most of his friends could not either, but a few could. I felt bad for him and wanted him to keep his traditions. I told him...

Paul had to go to London for a few days; he had meetings in Whitehall, all very hush-hush. I don’t ask, and he doesn’t say. Frankly, I don’t really care. When I ran my own consultancy, I had to undergo security vetting, which meant there were many secrets I couldn't share with him. Now, I just do occasional work for the government, all very quiet, all very hush-hush. “Can you pop in on Dad while I am away?” Paul asked. “I...