Magic Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories Read online

  “Are you feeling better?” Alana asked.

  He nodded. “But I don’t think my pride will recover.”

  “Do you want to get something to eat or drink?” Alana asked.

  “Yes, believe it or not. Might help settle my stomach.”

  Marianne gave Alana a look. “The kids are tired. We’re going to head back to the hotel. So you two have fun.”

  “We’re not tired. We want food, too,” Joey said.

  “No, you don’t,” Marianne said. “Now come on, let’s meet up with Daddy.”

  After the kids left, Alana tugged Doug along to the gift shop. “Maybe they have some Pepto-Bismol.”

  They quickly found a bottle and some gum, then browsed the interesting items on display. Doug showed her a stuffed whale. “Is this what the whales looked like? I didn’t get to see any of them.”

  She laughed. “Sort of. A bit bigger. And less fuzzy.”

  “I’m going to buy this for you so you’ll remember the whales instead of me hurling the contents of my stomach into the sea.” Doug paid for the items, took a long swig of the Pepto, and dropped it into the bag with the whale.

  They left the aquarium and walked along the sidewalk looking for a restaurant. “Do you always get seasick?” Alana asked.

  He smiled sheepishly. “Aye.”

  Alana stopped walking. “So why did you come on the tour with us?”

  “I don’t always throw up when I get seasick. I hoped I could handle it, because I didn’t want our time together to end.”

  Alana linked her hand in his. “Neither did I.”

  ***

  Alana and Doug found a great restaurant and ended the night strolling along the sidewalks near Quincy Market. “This has been an incredible day, Doug. Besides the seasickness.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that. But I’m so glad we ran into each other.” He stopped and bent down to kiss her.

  Luckily, he wrapped his arms around her, because her knees felt seriously wobbly. She hadn’t thought to ask for a good kisser, but fate had sent her one. Her insides swirled with desire, and she was already wondering when she’d see him again. “I’m visiting with Marianne and the kids tomorrow before they leave. Want to catch a movie tomorrow night?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t being too pushy. But hey, once a guy throws up in front of you, things tend to move along quickly.

  “Sure. Want to grab dinner first?”

  “Sounds great.” They exchanged contact information, and Alana smiled the entire subway ride home.

  ***

  Doug went home, crashed on the couch, and stared at the ceiling. He still couldn’t believe he’d actually met Alana. She was more wonderful than he’d imagined—so sweet, so fun, so beautiful. Was there any way to tell her he’d been faking his accent without driving her away?

  The sooner he told her the truth, the better, but how would he do that? He’d even kept in character while puking. Maybe if he played it off as a joke that spun out of control? Because the longer it went on, the worse it would be when he told her the truth.

  ***

  He drove to her apartment the next day to pick her up for dinner, practicing how he would break the news. “Wanna hear something funny?” Or, “You won’t believe what happened yesterday.” Or, “How do you feel about do-overs?” That one might work, he thought.

  He parked his car and went to her apartment, wondering if he should say hello using an American accent.

  She opened the door with a huge smile. She was still wearing her heart-shaped necklace from the store. “Guess what? I made reservations at a Scottish restaurant! It’ll be like you’re back home.”

  He said nothing for a moment. She looked so excited, he didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth right then.

  “Wow, that’s so…great,” he said in his Scottish accent.

  She beamed at him. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to taste the food you ate growing up.”

  ***

  When they were seated at the restaurant, they ordered two beers. With a great big smile, Alana told the server, “No pressure, but he’s from Scotland. He was born there.”

  “Really?” the waitress asked, looking him over.

  “Haven’t been there in a long time. Moved here when I was a wee lad.”

  The waitress fanned herself with the menus. “A wee lad. Oh, I love that accent. Well, an order of haggis on the house for you two. Be right out with that, along with some neeps and tatties.”

  Doug gulped, not quite certain what the woman was offering. He looked around to be sure they weren’t at a topless joint, but relaxed when he saw everyone was fully clothed. He wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs, hoping he didn’t barf in front of Alana again after eating haggis.

  “Do you like haggis?” Alana asked.

  “Don’t recall. Been a while since I had it.” He’d never had it, but knew it was something unappetizing. He studied the menu to remind himself what it was, and held back a groan when he realized he’d be eating the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep. It was with great relief when he learned neeps and tatties were just turnips and potatoes and not part of a burlesque routine.

  The waitress returned with their beers and promises to get the haggis out real soon.

  “What was it like growing up in Scotland?” Alana asked.

  Doug took a long swig of his beer. He was going to have to spin another lie. He certainly couldn’t tell her the truth with a free order of haggis on the way. “Bonny place, but I love America.”

  “I’d love to go to Scotland some day,” Alana said.

  “Yeah, it would be nice to go back.” Doug took another long drink of beer.

  The waitress returned with the plate of haggis—and the manager.

  The guy stuck out his hand. “So pleased to meet a fellow Scotsman.”

  Doug pumped his hand, smiling, and said nothing.

  “Where abouts are you from?” the manager asked.

  Doug’s mind went blank. He couldn’t think of any cities in Scotland. The only thing he remembered about Scotland was: “Loch Ness. A little town near Loch Ness.”

  “You don’t say?” The manager’s eyes widened. “Is it Foyers? Cannich? Drumnadrochit?”

  Doug took a big bite of haggis before answering. He gagged a little at first, remembering what it was made of, but he chewed, holding up one thumb like the food was great. It was savory, with a nutty texture. He paused for a moment, thinking about nuts. Testicles weren’t one of the ingredients, were they? No.

  The manager, waitress, and Alana all stared at him. He’d never had so many people watch him eat. Finally, he swallowed and said, “Mmm. So good. Just like home.”

  “Glad you like it. Most places use sausage casing for it these days, but we still use the stomach lining.”

  Doug felt for a moment like he was back on the whale watching boat. “Nothing like a good stomach lining.”

  Luckily, the manager was eager to talk about his menu and didn’t probe further about Doug’s hometown. Finally, the manager said, “We’ll let you eat in peace. Just exciting to have a real Scotsman here.”

  “A pleasure to be here,” Doug said.

  Alana reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Isn’t this exciting?”

  “Very much so.”

  “So, did you see Nessie?”

  Doug’s mind spun, wondering what she was talking about. “Our waitress?”

  Alana laughed. “No, the Loch Ness monster. You must have spent a lot of time looking for her if you grew up there.”

  “Well, I was just a wee lad, too little to be allowed to traipse off alone.”

  They both ordered fish platters, and Doug asked Alana about her childhood, hoping to put Scottish questions at bay for a while.

  “It’s just me and Marianne. We grew up outside of Boston, but she moved to Atlanta when she got married. I miss her and her kids so much.”

  They finished dinner, and luckily no one had asked him to perform a bagpipe recital. Would now be t
he right time to tell her?

  “I always wanted to date someone from another country,” she said. “I know you’re American now, but it still counts.”

  Nope, not the right time.

  ***

  They held hands during the movie, and when the evening ended, Doug walked Alana to her apartment door. The moment seemed so perfect, he didn’t want to ruin it with his admission.

  “Do you want to come in?” she asked.

  He did. Lord, did he want to come in and kiss this woman, feel her curves under his hands. But it just didn’t seem right. Not when he hadn’t been able to tell her the truth yet. “Aye, I’d like to. But I’m afraid I’d never leave if I did, and I have an enormous stack of work waiting for me tomorrow.” It was true, he did.

  “But tomorrow’s Sunday.”

  “Well, I’ve been distracted the past few days. Have some catching up to do.”

  Alana smiled, and Doug leaned down to kiss her.

  She looped her arms around his neck, and soon their tongues met, and his hands curled around her waist.

  Alana pulled away, smiling. “Want to meet for lunch Monday?”

  “Absolutely.”

  ***

  Alana must’ve checked the clock fifty-two times waiting for Doug to arrive.

  “You’re really crazy about this guy, aren’t you?” her boss, Auggie, asked.

  She grabbed the stuffed whale he’d given her off her desk. “It seems ridiculous after just a few days, but he’s everything I could’ve wished for.” Everything I did wish for…

  “I can’t wait to meet him. I think all women should get their boss’ approval before courting a man,” he said with a smile. Auggie liked to play the role of her older brother. While Auggie himself was a tall redhead, she’d never considered him a romantic possibility.

  Jill, the receptionist, called Alana. “He’s here and he’s super hot!” Jill whispered over the phone.

  “Thanks!” Alana stood. “How do I look?”

  “Like a puppy about to get a Beggin’ Strip,” Auggie said, frowning. “Play it cool, girl.”

  “I can’t!” she said, running to the reception area, Auggie following.

  Doug’s dimples grooved his cheeks as he smiled at her. That was a lucky bonus. She hadn’t asked for dimples, but should have.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly.

  “Hi,” Doug said, kissing her cheek. Alana’s co-workers stared at him. He held up his hand. “Hello.”

  “Don’t mind them, they’ve never see a real live Scotsman,” Alana said through clenched teeth.

  Auggie stuck out his hand. “I’m Auggie McGregor, Alana’s boss. Now you have her back by one o’clock, and no lingering by the door when you drop her off.”

  “Understood, sir,” Doug said with a grin.

  after leaving the office, they walked to a nearby café. “I don’t think there’s any Scottish food on the menu,” she said.

  “That’s quite all right. Nothing like a good old American hamburger.”

  They chatted and laughed, and the hour passed like it had been just five minutes.

  “That’s a beautiful necklace,” he said. “I notice you wear it a lot. Does it have some significance?”

  Her heart sped up. “I bought it on The Cape while I was down there with my sister and the kids. It just seemed…special.” What would he think if she knew she’d bought it to wish for someone like him?

  “Looks beautiful on you.”

  “Thank you,” she said, touching it. Her fingers seemed to tingle.

  “When can I see you again?” he asked.

  “Whenever you’re free. I like you, Doug. And I want to see you as often as I can.” So much for playing it cool, she thought.

  And so they saw each other several times a week, going out for dinner, strolling through the park, and laughing. Oh, how she loved his laugh. But they hadn’t moved much past kissing, which confused Alana. He certainly seemed to like her; his kisses were quite passionate. But why wasn’t he pushing for more?

  Maybe he’s waiting until I’m ready, she thought. They spent most of their spare time together, watching movies at Doug’s place, sometimes cooking dinner at hers. When Alana realized nearly a month’s time had passed since they’d first met, she was ready to take things to the next level. And she was going to make sure he knew it, too.

  ***

  Doug went to Alana’s apartment, wondering what her one-month anniversary surprise could be. Was there some weird Scottish dessert he didn’t know about that she might’ve made?

  Alana answered the door wearing a robe—and nothing else besides her heart necklace.

  Oh. That kind of surprise. The one he wanted but couldn’t enjoy. Not until she knew the truth about him. He gulped and rushed inside, closing the door behind him. “What’s going on?”

  She linked her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I told you it was going to be a special night.” She bit his lower lip.

  He pulled away and tied the belt on her robe, forcing himself not to take a closer look. “So soon?”

  “What’s wrong?” She stepped back and smiled. “Are you a virgin?” she asked quietly. “Actually, that would be fine, just fine.”

  “No! I’m not a virgin.” He blew out a breath and set his hands on her shoulders. “I just think we should know everything about each other before we take that step.”

  “That’s not the reaction I expected.” She looked up at him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  This was it. This was the open door he’d been looking for to explain what happened. “Aye, there is. Let’s sit down.”

  He led her to the couch and held her hand.

  She smiled at him nervously. “What is it then?”

  He drummed his fingers on his thigh and closed his eyes. “Everything I’ve told you about myself is true except for one thing. Well, two, I guess.”

  “What?” she asked quietly.

  He prepared to drop his accent. “I didn’t move here from Scotland. My great-grandparents did. I’m American. I don’t have a Scottish accent.” His American accent sounded so plain and boring to his ears.

  She stared at him then laughed. “Stop it. You’re lying. I’ve known you for a month now, and you’ve had a perfect Scottish accent every time we’ve been together. No one could manage that.”

  “The work I do for advertising agencies? In addition to some copywriting, I do voice work. Lots of work out of my home studio, too. Commercials, audiobooks. I’m a voice actor. So yes, I can pull off an accent like that.”

  She jerked her hand away from him and scrunched herself into the corner of the couch. “You’ve been faking your accent all this time? Why?”

  With his heart pounding madly in his chest, he forced a laugh. “Well, see that’s the funny thing. I was on Cape Cod a month ago and I was shopping in this antique store when I heard—”

  “Stop. Shut up.” She held up her hand. “Tell me you did not hear me use my love charm to wish for a man.”

  He scrunched his eyebrows together. “I didn’t mean to. I was squatting over a box of photos, and you started talking with the old woman. I didn’t want to stand up and embarrass you.”

  She stared at him. “And you must have heard me talking with the kids, too. So you followed us to the aquarium the next day? And pretended to be my dream guy?” She sucked in a breath and the hurt look on her face nearly killed him.

  “When you say it like that, it sounds bad. But I wasn’t stalking you, I just really wanted to see you again, and I happened to know where you were going to be the next day. I didn’t now how else to ever find you again.”

  She sat there, silent.

  He cleared his throat. “You were so funny and cute with the kids, and so beautiful. And I thought, ‘Wow, she’s got a lot of the qualities I’m looking for. And I’ve got some of what she’s looking for. Let’s meet and see what happens.’ And when I saw you at the aquarium, the accent just slipped out. I didn’t mean to
do it. I kept wanting to tell you it wasn’t real, but you were really digging it.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry.”

  Her lips were pressed in a tight line. “Get out.” She ripped the necklace off and threw it across the room.

  “Alana, please. I didn’t mean to deceive you. I care about you. I’m falling in love with you.”

  “Stop! I don’t even know who you are!”

  “Yes, you do. Everything you know about me is true except for the accent. I am part Scottish. I didn’t dye my hair. I do go to the aquarium sometimes. Penguins are awesome. I really do get seasick.”

  Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Just leave, please.” She looked away.

  He hesitated, then stood. “Okay, but take some time to let this sink in. We’re good together. I don’t want to lose you. We’ll laugh about this someday.”

  “No we won’t, because I don’t ever want to see you again!” She pointed to the door, and reluctantly, he went to it and walked out.

  He turned to her as he stood in the hall. “I’ll leave you alone. Call me if you want to work this out. Please give me another chance.”

  “Goodbye.” She slammed the door in his face.

  ***

  Alana crawled into bed and cried for hours. She was too embarrassed to call her sister and tell her what happened. What a fool she’d been. How would she ever admit it? And she’d greeted him at the door dressed only in a robe and thrown herself at him?

  She was so upset, she called in sick to work the next day. Marianne kept texting her, but Alana put her off, telling her she was too busy at work to talk, but she’d be in touch soon.

  She couldn’t call in sick twice in a row, so the next day she dragged herself out of bed, threw on whatever clothes she could find, and went to work. Auggie came into her office and asked how she was feeling.

  She picked up the Outlander book sitting on her desk and dumped it in the trash. “That’s how I feel. Like I wish I’d never read that book.”

  He sat down in a chair near her desk. “Things not going well with the Scotsman, I take it? Not pleased with what you found under the kilt?”

  She shook her head. “He was faking his accent the whole time.”

  Auggie sucked in a breath. “I can’t believe it. It was so good.”