Romance Short Stories

The Accidental Auction Bid

Rowan McCrae didn’t mind doing hard work.He minded being told to “smile pretty for the ladies tonight” by two separate grandmothers before eight a.m., but the work itself was fine.He…[...]

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

I am looking at a beautiful painting in the gallery. The painting I am looking at in the gallery is beautiful. I am in the gallery. I am looking at…[...]

FAT

Maribel Diaphanousky did not merely enjoy food. She orchestrated it. Her kitchen functioned less like a room and more like a bustling airport, with snacks taking off and landing at…[...]

Dr. Lethargy and Joe

You can learn how to crochet granny squares on YouTube, and you can memorize a recipe to make a peach-infused Sex on the Beach. You can master bleaching your hair,…[...]

Superstitionology

When the third black goat of the local farmer, the third-born of his family, unexplainably died that night, under the light of the crescent blood moon, everything became as clear…[...]

The Experience

Preface:Author get to experience only what you see in the movie. Chapter One: The Author Lois tried to calm her nervous by pulling out a cigarette from her jacket pocket.Noticing…[...]

Clap, Clap

The inn was simply called The Inn, as there was no other place like it within a two hundred mile radius. Or at least, according to a quick internet search,…[...]

Medusa’s Lonely Quest

I knew the date was over the minute he asked if my snakes were “poisonous”. Ignoring the fact that snakes are venomous, not poisonous, that question is always followed by…[...]

Stranger in a Strange Dating Scene

“I’d thought you’d be taller.” “I’m not really looking for a floogian right now.” “Do I look like I date Terrans?”“YOU DARE PROPOSITION ME, EARTHLING!?”“✡︎□︎◆︎🕯︎❒︎♏︎ ◻︎♋︎⍓︎♓︎■︎♑︎ ♐︎□︎❒︎ ⧫︎♒︎♓︎⬧︎ ⬧︎♏︎⬧︎⬧︎♓︎□︎■︎📪︎ ❒︎♓︎♑︎♒︎⧫︎✍︎”“Sorry,…[...]

He Walked

There was a man who walked and walked. He walked so far that he disappeared from the planet. The world ended and he strolled right into space. He strolled into…[...]

Dearly Dear

Form me to you. dearly, I am sending this letter to finally write back to you. I am sorry. I know it took me a while. But you know how…[...]

A Last Night in Changchun

This story contains off-color language and some crudeness. Someone is yelling at me. A hand twists into my down winter coat at the shoulder, pulling my whole body askew and…[...]

Seven in One Lunch

One thing about living on the very edge of a tiny Midwestern town: the view. Of course, I’d been more concerned with the view inside my room, where Bridget hadn’t…[...]

Every Day, Take a Shower

Every Day, Take a Shower “This is what I insist you do. Every day you must get up and take a shower.” Natalie’s voice had gone from the caring tone…[...]

Yet another Mars ticket

By 2142, Mars had become profitable.Priya and Ethan were sitting at their Martian desk, scrolling through the piled-up tickets. To improve efficiency, support staff had been relocated to Mars. Managers…[...]

The Orion Spur East Local Council Public Transport Planning Committee

“Morning Pompo!”“Morning.”“How’re you?”“Good thank you.”“Very good! Good is good,” chirped Akbar, with an enthusiasm unfettered by Pompo’s weary expression.“Is everything set up?”“Indeed it is, everything is perfectly-”“And will all ten…[...]

Your Own Path

The heat hit in a double blow, the sun relentlessly beating down and then reflecting off the marble paving of the square. Mary sat in a café sipping iced coffee.…[...]

The Moral Bioterrorist

I was about to become a walking, talking biological weapon. I had terminal cancer and had nothing to lose. There were two viruses infecting our country. One was a lethal…[...]

Match Box

Match Box Chapter 1My leather trolley bag followed like a puppy on a leash as I fast walked the concourse at Louis Armstrong Airport. I had to get out of…[...]

Please Keep the Burbon Off the Piano

Pastor Bell’s funeral became a roast the moment someone brought bourbon into the fellowship hall.Technically, alcohol was forbidden on church property. But Pastor Bell had spent thirty-two years selectively enforcing…[...]

Grief Makes People Strange

Grief Makes People StrangeThe church fellowship hall smelled like burnt coffee, carnations, and emotional repression.Nora Whitaker stood beside the dessert table with a paper cup of lemonade she had not…[...]

Served and Consumed

My empty plate sat in front of me, as clean as a bone. I always finished my food too quickly, and my mother warned me about it. You’ll choke, she…[...]

Nobody Mourned Chuck Beauford

(This story contains sensitive content, containing mentions of substance abuse, mental health issues, and a creepy man) On an ugly, hot morning, in an ugly town, on an ugly stretch…[...]

Lauren Peters versus Peter Lawrence

“Check this out, Dylan!” Mary Lucas carried her laptop into the kitchen, where her husband was sitting at the table, hunched over some receipts. Her footsteps faltered when she met…[...]

Of Wood and Stone and Glabbers

When Shandol Gelbil spotted a kid sidling toward a pie she had left on the windowsill, she shouted "STOP THAT!" with such volume and ferocity that mischief of any kind,…[...]

I Know What They Are Thinking

Note: The F-words is used occasionally. Sorry. If you have any doubts, you won’t after you finish reading this. You’ll know just like I do that my ex-wife’s new husband…[...]

Reedsy Prompt #355 Uncle Albie’s Makeover

Reesy Prompt # 355 UNCLE ALBIE’S MAKEOVER “You girls pick up your toys, now,” Mama said. “Uncle Albie is on his way and he’ll be here any minute.” We did…[...]

Best Served Cold

Diana got to the restaurant early. She looked into the bright, clean dining room. But not too bright…Most of the tables remained empty.Why did Jenny want to meet? She sounded…[...]

This story is about tomatoes

Like every other Sunday, three contours sit on the table. The round cherry wood piece I bought at a flea market last month, is covered in dishes of baked potatoes…[...]

The Agony Aunt

Julie peered out of the car window as Nolan carefully steered around the crowd outside the church. The lane was one car width and people squashed up onto the verge…[...]

The Good In All of Us

The Good Inside All of Us“The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.”-Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn It is only natural that we see ourselves as the…[...]

The Jaws of the Common North American Alligator

Author’s note: This story contains strong language and the views of an openly racist character, which are portrayed in a negative light. “Well, look who the gator dragged in.” The…[...]

Family Dinner

Jared looked at his son, Bobby, subtly in his peripherals. They sat next to each other at the breakfast bar, his son‘s cereal untouched. Oh I know this look, Jared…[...]

Curious Coincidence

The date is March 9th, 2000, of course abbreviated as MAR09. I remember clearly, because the world finally got through that Y2K scare. You know the one, where the computers…[...]

Money Grows on Family Trees

Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure is nicer to cry in a Rolls Royce than on a bike. The McDarin family had four Rolls Royces, and none of them…[...]

A Still Thought

It was almost the big day, the day that the Deep Cs would go on the mission. Corey didn’t really know why they were going on the so called “mission”…[...]

Uncle Dave

Uncle Dave The phone rang at 2am. The ringing woke me out of a dead sleep and jumped out of bed. I landed on the floor and sleepily looked for…[...]

Operation Midnight Tissue

The Golden Child. The Joker. The Wild Card. The Twisted One. Or, as our parents would have it: Sina. Rhea. Drake. Lav. I’m Sina. I’m not a fan of the…[...]

Two Rememberings

Reedsy Prompt for May 22, 2026Include a wake or funeral in your story where the mourners have conflicting feelings about the deceased. (1,760 words) Two Rememberings Me: Well, we’re here.…[...]

The Last Night of Pledges

Content Note: Contains mild profanity, alcohol use, sexual references, and fraternity hazing themes. The fraternity house on Lincoln Street had once been a funeral home, which explained several things at…[...]

Happy Thanksgiving

Sam wanted to prepare Ashley for what he feared would almost definitely happen. But so far it’d been twenty minutes of driving without a single word, just a lot of…[...]

Things I Texted My Husband: Between Gate C19 and Denver

Seat 14A. The aircraft has not yet moved.ME: We boarded. I’m in. Window seat like an idiot so I can watch the wing fall off in real time. 5:51 PMDON:…[...]

Bird in the Long Grass

The sun is always blazing in the Arizona sky, but when the cloud cover comes and there is a slight breeze, it makes for the perfect day. Flowers are blooming,…[...]

Sign Wars

When you eat here, you’re royalty. Burger King Who needs royalty when we have Wendy. Wendy’s We have crowns. Burger King You know where you can put those crowns. Wendy’s…[...]

A Twelve-Pound Wrecking Ball

He sat on the arm of my leather chair, working his claws through the grain with the focus of a surgeon and the remorse of a parking ticket. I'd filled…[...]

Ad for Julie

Fashion Journal Ad Section. April 6th 2026 Looking for one Julie Dawson- -Female -5’6 and a half (the half is apparently important)-Strawberry blonde -Green/ Blue eyes (lighting dependent) -Unapproachable when…[...]

,,,A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

I turn on the morning TV. The story I’ve been expecting is there for all to see and hear; I cringe at the cheerful voice of the announcer. “Well folks,…[...]

Miss American Pie

A ribbon of cherry, lime, and sugar laced the air, weaving together with the scent of three golden and flaky pie crusts resting on the kitchen island. Holly spun from…[...]

You’ve Got Mail!

*TW mentions of suicide, homophobia, and mental health* [Thursday — 9:42 PM]PeppermintMattie2323: Okay, serious question.unsunghero80: This already sounds dangerousPeppermintMattie2323: If a substitute teacher dies during attendance, do we still have…[...]

The Gentleman’s Parcel

May 3rd, 1877 Dear Mr. Crumpet, I am in receipt of your package, though I must admit I am quite surprised by its contents and am unclear about the reason…[...]

Dear Newly Abducted

Dear Newly Abductedby Philip Daniel Louro Dear Newly Abducted, As per protocol, this message will be your first point of contact upon awakening. Our deepest condolences are with you during…[...]

Barbie in Distress

Barbie in Distress Two years ago Yeah I’d like to keep it professional if that’s okay with you. It’s not you specifically but I just don’t have the energy or…[...]

Sunk Cost Fallacy

In the morning, Talei signs, Are you okay? I tell her I’m fine. She accepts that and doesn’t bring it up again, for which I’m eternally thankful. No need to…[...]

To My Here Is In Perpy Something

“What is that, Psycho? Give it to me. Give!”“No Psycho, I am not going to chase you. Drop it now!”Psycho Motor Dabrowski had just bolted in through the door of…[...]

Get Stuffed

First of all, the dragon was not supposed to come to life. Last night, it had still been a palm-sized plushie which I had ceremoniously dubbed “Embersnoot.” Cute. Inert. Secondly,…[...]

Mom’s Locket

Charlotte walked through the snow. February in the bible belt still bit a bit. That is to say, it was cold, still. But she wouldn’t be out here long. Just…[...]

Every Shade of Beige

“You smell like chocolate,” said the little girl, her eyebrows raised into a question mark. “This room smells like Brussels sprouts but you smell like chocolate but my Grandma smells…[...]

Chicken Cobra

"Kawaaaah, a-wah a-wah a-wah a-wah!" So went the soundtrack bassline of the average spring morning in Guano Landings, an upper middle class subdivision nestled in the mid-Atlantic town of Long…[...]

No One Can Hear You Scream

I never wanted to become an astronaut. When I put my gloved hand on his and he pulled away, I should have known something was wrong. It was at launch,…[...]

Family Fortunes

Family FortunesTrigger warning: portrays grieving. “No point looking for her in there, old boy,” Roger advised his best friend. Berny was sniffing around Roger’s wife’s dressing room. An extension Roger…[...]

It Takes Time

5/17Fuck this. I am grateful that I got gifts today. I am grateful for all of them except this fucking gratitude journal. This journal is a fucking chore. I am…[...]

Overlord Forever, Apparently

The first time Miles Harper tried to tell Captain Triumph that he was secretly the Supreme Overlord of Evil, they were dangling upside down from a helicopter. "There's something important…[...]

On the Block

“Hey, deep breaths, big guy. In and out. Nothing to worry about, we’ll get through this together, I promise.” Jorge looked down at the man with wide eyes, his vision…[...]

A day in the life of Franklin

Hey o, nope, a little further down little more no no down. Yep that’s it. Hi, can y’all see me all right? My name is Franklin. I know it’s a…[...]

Hump

No one tells you about the dog park. Oh, they’ll say, “There’s this great park at Laguna Lake. You should take your puppy.” That’s true, but it only scratches the…[...]

Greasy Spoon Origami

The sharp, acrid smell of burning lighter fluid filled his nostrils first, a whiff of hot metal from the perforated brass casing following soon after and finally the familiar scent…[...]

So… What Now?

Regina’s body is disgustingly cold against my skin. She’s not gone, not yet anyway, but her staggering breath against my chest tells me what I know she can’t. I try…[...]

S.P.O.U.S.E

Angela stares at the TV absently as the next commercial begins.“Is your marriage on the rocks? Do you argue with your partner often? Do you ever wish there was a…[...]

Please Excuse Me While I Crush You

From: Limerence Infected Sad Meat Suit <fortheloveofgod@why.com>Sent: Monday, dates are meaningless here, Year of Our Lord 2026, 9:02 AMTo: Your Foolish Brain/Heart? <fortheloveofgod@why.com>Subject: Update: Recap of last week To whom…[...]

The Household Crisis Department

My name is Laddie, and I am a rough collie. Remember Lassie? She was one gorgeous girl. I look like her, except I am more majestic. I live with my…[...]

The Coulrophobe

Steve Pritchard laid across his therapist’s couch even though Dr. Hollingsworth had pointed out that lying on the couch wasn’t the expectation in therapy anymore. And the couch was actually…[...]

My human’s baby

My humans are having a puppy… a baby as they call it. They don’t even know it yet, but I do, and I sadly now know why my dad has…[...]

Naiad

Clink.Ah, yes. There he is. Daubing firkins on farl. Offal. That'd be sompin. He luvs da nutty gizzards, hencod roes. Kidney. Purr. Adventure.The coals are reddening. I don't like tea.…[...]

Saint Sidekick’s Day

“Go, Donkey! Yay! That’s the way!” yelped the little Bedlington Terrier, Imaginational Dabrowski. He was gazing at piles of clouds, which to him resembled a scrawny donkey dealing a powerful…[...]

Chafing Lycra

“Maybe if we dim the lights a little it might help?” said Wendy, her cheeks flushed. “If we dim the lights, Wendy, I won’t be able to see the pictures.…[...]

Basil the representative

Comrades,I care about Nithsdale more than anywhere else (except the treat cupboard). It’s where I was born and has been my home ever since. I remember running in the fields…[...]

K-nine and my human

This morning, I awoke with a sense of grogginess that clouded my mind, leaving me feeling somewhat disoriented as I blinked against the soft light filtering through the curtains. My…[...]

How Jeremy Learned To Stop Being So Nervous

“Ahoy nasties! Your time has run out!” The Night Defender leapt from the roof. Landing in the alleyway in a hero’s pose. The four criminals gasped as the sound echoed…[...]

The Imposter in the Manger

For five years, the title of "The Baby" was mine. I had the papers to prove it: a registration certificate from the kennel club and the undisputed evidence of being…[...]

Whose a Good Bird Now?

Let me be clear about something from the start: I am not your average parrot. My name is Archimedes, and I have lived many lives before this one. In the…[...]

Time or Death?

The dark, oppressive space was cold and damp; the air felt heavy and taxed the lungs on every inhale. Unfortunately, all of this dark grandeur was lessened by the sounds…[...]

The Tip

I looked at the cash the man handed me and groaned. $34.15 exactly. Enough for his pizza, but not enough of a tip. In fact, there was no tip at…[...]

Good Enough For Me

Good Enough For Me Here we go again. That vet place. Can’t say I enjoy my visits here. Once a year I get stabbed, which is supposed to be good…[...]

It’s Story Time, Ciaran

The clouds rot and the trees bend to the will of the wind. The rain doesn't tap against the house, it barrages. Lightning scours the sky scouting for an unsuspecting…[...]

Howling at the Cabbage

Buster sat up in his bed. His ears stood to attention. Bacon smell drifted into the room and floated to his bed, and then up his nose. His tail jumped…[...]

The Community Posting’s Board

Lakeview 55+ Community Postings 05/03/26 -I’m getting rid of my couch which is in perfect condition. If interested, please call 516-455-0485. -My hairdresser died, so I need a new one.…[...]

My Friend Vincent

Despite all those years in the industry, Pedro had to fight back the sour taste in his mouth. The sweet smell of decay lingered in the air. It mixed with…[...]

Once Upon a Time There was a Cone. They Called it Fame.

Name’s Rocky, Rocky Raccoon. I work down on Studio Boulevard in lot 482. I am an actor. I’m not famous or anything yet unless you’re the type who pays close…[...]

Blood is Thicker than Water

Tammy knew about lots of things. For instance, she knew how to make a rainbow out of hot water and a pack of Skittles. She also knew how to make…[...]

Pete The Sneak

The magnificent socks, fully marinated in fresh, salty sweat from Mom’s afternoon pickle ball match in the Florida summer, prevented Pete from being able to fully close his muzzle. Still,…[...]

The House Mouse

There was once a mouse named Chipper. He lived in a house that was also close to the forest where he once lived. Chipper decided to move to the house…[...]

Package Deal

Carl was already at the curb when Eddie pulled up.“Morning, Eddie.”Eddie stepped out of the brown truck, scanner in hand. “Carl.”They stood there for a moment, two delivery drivers in…[...]

Cupid Dog

Cupid Dog As my boy human, and I walk out the gate to leave the county park, I am pumped. During the last couple of hours, I’ve successfully executed a…[...]

My Humans

Humans get lonely, that’s why I bring mine to a café whenever we go exploring for new and familiar sniffs. He gets to meet other people, and I get to…[...]

Minnie Ross’s Retirement Diary

June 12Lindomar Hollow is the perfect place to settle down. Each bedroom in our rental cottage has a little desk with a view of the ocean. I bought a computer…[...]

I Am Just a Henchman

I lie still and silent on the cobbled floor, doing my absolute best not to move a muscle. It is not easy, let me tell you that. Now, before you…[...]

Smoke and Mirrors

“Release the captive! I have come alone, per your demands.” Growled the supposed “hero” peering up into the steel beamed rafters of the master's lair. “Although… I can’t imagine why…[...]

Chili Dog

My whole life, I’ve been terrified. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been kept in a cramped space. I tried to drown out the noise of all the…[...]

The Whole World

The door is the most important thing in the Universe. I know this door very well, all its cracks and scratches (a few of them mine from long ago), the…[...]

One More Mug: Sweety Squire

"Yeah, being as good as me will only ever be your dream."The Hunter pointed at the whole tavern as the patrons laughed and cheered."All of you. If you think you…[...]