Welcome to Snippet Saturday, where authors share snippets of their work.
Today is Black Moment day. Ahh, that heartbreaking juicy moment where everything that was wonderful about the hero and heroine’s relationship utterly falls apart.
I’ve chosen a scene from Wild, Wicked & Wanton. I loved Callie and Jack, and this scene was heartbreaking. (But don’t worry, it all ends up great at the end :giggle: ).
Callie couldn’t help it. She smiled all day at work on Monday. Jack stopped by as usual, only this time it was different. They were different together. Oh, he wasn’t about to embarrass her at work so he ordered his coffee like any other customer, but it was still…different. He smiled different, acted different, and so did she. She giggled. Giggled! It was syrupy sweet. She was appalled at herself.
Her employees laughed at her, but they were also thrilled for her, and so in awe that she’d managed to land someone like Jack Fellows. She still couldn’t quite believe it was real. She felt like Cinderella.
They were supposed to see each other tonight, though Jack said he had to work late and would come over to her place around eight.
She closed up the shop at two like she always did, finishing up the bank deposit paperwork. As usual, she was the last person in the shop, but had already locked the doors. When someone knocked, she looked up and shook her head, pointing to the Closed sign.
“May I speak with you please, Miss Jameson?” An older gentlemen spoke through the glass door. “I’m with Jack Fellows’s law firm.”
Curious, Callie unlocked the door and motioned the man inside.
“Thank you.” He smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Bob Walters, one of the senior partners at the law firm where Jack works.”
Callie smiled and shook his hand. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Walters. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you. And call me Bob.” He sat at the table and folded his hands.
“Would you like some coffee? I’ve already closed everything up but I’d be happy to make some.”
“No, that’s quite all right, but thank you.”
Okay, so why was someone from Jack’s firm here, and how did he know her name? Curiosity was killing her. She didn’t know whether to hope or dread what this man was about to say.
“Miss Jameson, you’re ruining Jack’s career.”
Her heart dropped to her feet. Well, there was her answer. “Excuse me?”
“Let me be perfectly honest. Jack is an up and comer with the firm. He has a very bright future. But he also works for a high profile company, one with prominent social stature in Silverwood. Society and its connections and influences is vital, especially to someone who is about to become a senior partner.”
“I’m confused Mr. Walters. I don’t understand why you’ve come here or what you’re trying to say.”
“What I’m trying to say is that I was in the movie theater with you and Jack last night. I know exactly what you two were doing in the back row.”
Oh, God. Oh, God. The senior partner of Jack’s firm was in the movie theater? Shit! What had she done? Flames of embarrassment licked up her neck. She looked down at the paperwork on the table, too ashamed to even look the man in the eye.
“As you can imagine, we cannot entertain that kind of depravity at Walters and Little. If word of what kind of sexual activities Jack is engaged in got out, his career would be ruined.”
Tears pooled in Callie’s eyes. She blinked hard, forcing them back. “I understand.” She would not do anything to hurt Jack’s career. She looked up at the man, trying to muster up whatever shreds of dignity remained. “What do you want me to do?”
“End your relationship with Jack. Let him find a…different kind of woman. One who won’t embarrass him.” Bob placed his hand over Callie’s. “If you care at all for him, you’ll do what’s best for him and for his career. He’s worked long and hard for his success and he’s almost reached the top. Don’t make the mistake of standing in his way now.”
She shook her head, forcing the nausea away. “I would never do that.”
Bob nodded. “Good girl. I knew you cared for him. I could see that.” He stood. “I’m sorry to do this, but I only want the best for Jack. He’s like a son to me.”
She walked to the door and unlocked it, her throat raw. She couldn’t even speak, she just let the man out, locked the door and pulled the night shade down. Then she fell into the chair and collapsed, letting the racking sobs overtake her.
Oh, God, what had she been thinking? She’d almost ruined Jack’s life with her sexual perversions. Swiping at the tears, she stood and grabbed a towel, cleaned her face, then grabbed the bank deposit, determined to do the right thing.
No way would she stand in the way of Jack and his career. What they had was fun, but fun was one thing, and a man’s career was another. She might love him, but she wasn’t the right woman for him.
Tonight, she’d tell him it was over. It was the right thing to do. Because she did love him, she’d let him go.
She should have known better than to think she and Jack could ever be together.
She should have stayed on her own side of town, and kept her sexual fantasies to herself.
~~~~~~~~
Be sure to visit these other authors participating in Snippet Saturday:
Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Savannah Foley
Elisabeth Naughton
Moira Rogers