Winona Morris always knew she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. When it became apparent that she was never going to grow up she decided to become a writer anyway. After sharing her multi-genre fiction on various free blogs over the years she has finally decided to become a "real" writer and is currently working on her first short fiction collection.
She currently lives in coastal Georgia with her husband, 2 kids, and 8 pets. When not writing or working at the full time retail job she's kept for nearly 2 decades, she likes to read and live vicariously through other people on social media.
NOT LOOKING FOR LOVE
by
Winona Morris
Randi intended to spend the day, Valentine’s day, streaming a marathon of her favorite horror films.
Instead, she sat cross-legged on her sofa, still in her pajamas and looking a mess, across from a surprise guest. The man she met just the night before had just shown up and handed her a red heart-shaped box, topped with a huge bow.
Randi had only gone out at all because she knew her roommate wouldn't go alone, and would make them both miserable because of it.
Nobody wanted to be dateless on the big day, and it made the loveless desperate. Happily single, she had a spicy collection of horror smut waiting to be read at home and just wanted to escape.
She was having a horrible time even before, “My name is Derek, but you can call me Daddy,” had set his sights on her.
His amazing blue eyes made him a handsome man, but she was less than happy about his hand’s determination to find its way up her skirt. His disgusting pickup line had been enough of a turnoff for her immediately to say, “I’m not interested.” So he made it his night’s mission to make her interested, succeeding only in exposing his lack of ability to understand straightforward statements.
She pulled his hand forcefully from her thigh again. “I’m gonna go piss now. You should be gone when I get back.” He laughed as she walked away.
Returning, she felt obligated to let him know before she left. Before she could speak, he grabbed her waist, kissed her cheek and said, “You’ve been gone so long I got you a fresh drink.” She always stuck to virgin drinks and could smell the burn of alcohol coming off the amber liquid he pressed into her hand.
The roaming hands were bad enough, but the cheek kiss had been the last straw. She raised her glass, meaning to empty its contents into his face, but another hand came from nowhere and covered it, stopping her.
“Don’t drink that.”
“Dude, what the fuck!” Derek said..
“I saw him put something in there.” The stranger took the glass out of her hand and set it on the table.
Randi turned to see that her would-be savior was the complete opposite of Derek, right down to plain brown eyes which were locked onto Derek’s startling blue ones.
“You should leave,” he said.
“You should kiss my ass,” Derek retorted before taking a swing at the smaller guy.
Randi was unprepared for Derek to end up with his back to him, arm bent painfully behind his back. “You should leave,” the stranger said again. “You should walk out that door without another word or we’re gonna cause a scene. If we cause a scene, cops show up. If cops show up, I’m gonna have to tell them how you were planning to drug this girl. We don't want that, do we?”
Derek remained silent, and when the stranger released him, he hurried away.
“Sorry about the asshole. I should have stepped in earlier. I’m Dylan,” he said, and actually held out his hand for a handshake. Randi just looked at it for a moment before opening her purse and looking for her wallet.
“Listen,” she said, “It's not that I don’t appreciate the help. Thank you, really. But I’m not looking for anyone right now.”
“Say less.” he said, “But at least put your wallet up. This one’s on ‘Daddy’.” He produced a wallet and flipped it open to show her the ID inside. It belonged to Derek. She had laughed as Dylan paid with the man’s cash before handing her the rest.
“For your pain and suffering,” he said, “So, how are you getting home?”
Randi could have walked, but surprised herself by accepting a ride. The conversation was lively during the drive. It turned out they had the same taste in movies and similar tastes in books (Dylan preferring less smut and more guts). She found out a great deal of other things about him and shared just as much about herself.
She expected to never see him again after he pulled away.
Only to have him show up the very next day and bring her a Valentine.
“I know you said you’re not looking for a relationship right now,” he said. “You never have to see me again, but I have never met another woman like you. I think you’re special, Randi. A special woman deserves a special present, at least once.”
He nodded towards the box in her lap. She hesitated, trying to decide if she wanted to open it, or shove it back in his arms and tell him to get lost. She hadn’t hesitated to let him in, though, and that meant something.
She untied the bow, remembering their conversation from the night before and hoping it wouldn't be something disappointing, like chocolates.
There were chocolates, but they surrounded an ID card with familiar blue eyes staring up at her. Below the card were actual blue eyes staring up at her.
“The eyes are fresh,” Dylan said as she stared wide-eyed into the box. “You see why I had to just show up? Things like this can’t wait.”
In shock, Randi picked an eye up between two fingers and held it up in front of her, looking at it for a long moment. Dylan was sitting on the edge of his seat, his own eyes eager. “Do you like it?” he asked.
“Like it?” she echoed. She popped the orb into her mouth, moaning as she crushed it between her teeth.
Swallowing, she beamed at Dylan. “It’s the best gift ever!” she said, before offering him the second eye.
As he savored the treat as thoroughly as she had, she thought maybe she was ready for a relationship after all.