Jillian Chantal

This week, the writers of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word, stuff. I am still working on my NaNoWriMo novel.

Check out the other tales here.

Alice wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. She was still staring at Matthew.

He was looking at her, too. “I go on break in about five minutes. Would you like to have coffee in the cafe with me?”

Before Alice could respond, Sophronia asked, “Can you please set me up with those books you mentioned before you go on break.” Leave it to Alice to make a conquest. Just when I need her to help me do this research.

“Sure, sure. Sorry.” Matthew stood and moved to the other side of his desk.

Sophronia let out a groan. Great. He’s tall and has exactly the body type Alice likes. Nice, veined forearms and a strong thigh. She’d be useless the rest of the day. Good grief. Who knew my friend’s ideal man would be hiding upstairs at the library? And be a professional researcher at that. It’d be laughable, if it wasn’t a tragic end to Sophronia’s desire to be productive in learning about her newly acquired home.

Matthew appeared concerned as he looked down his height at her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course. Why?”

“The way you groaned just then made it sound like you were in great pain.”

“Oh no. I’m was thinking about something and didn’t mean to verbalize that.” Sophronia tried to laugh it off, but knew she better be more careful or Alice would call her out on it. Sometimes, it wasn’t good to have been friends for so many years.  Reading each other’s minds could be hazardous. Alice wasn’t the most discreet of people and could very well blurt out that Sophronia was more worried about Alice’s actions than her own. But surely she wouldn’t. It would lead to embarrassing herself. Surely.

“Let’s find those books.” Matthew led the way to the stacks.

Alice poked Sophronia in the ribs as they followed along. “Don’t blow my chances with him,” she whispered.

“What’s that?” Matthew said over his shoulder.

Looking at Sophronia in horror, Alice shook her head.

“Nothing. Alice was just saying”—another poke in the ribs, this one harder—“she sure needs that cup of coffee you offered. She loves the stuff. It’s like the elixir of life for her.”

Even more horrified by the expression on her face, Alice sucked in a breath. “I’ll get you for that.”

Giggling to herself that now Alice would have to drink the dreaded caffeine she hated, Sophronia stepped up her pace, catching up with Matthew. Serve Alice right for abandoning their project over a man. A pretty man for sure, but she’d promised to help. Not that Sophronia begrudged a flirtation, but the call of that book in the attic was still humming in her and she wanted some answers.  Maybe the interior design book would show the room she was most interested in.