Reunion Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories

by Scott, Lisa

  Keri wiped away a tear. “Were you super drunk?”

  “No. Just super stupid.”

  Sitting up, Keri looked Martina up and down. “Well, I don’t blame you. You really do have spectacular breasts. They must’ve been exquisite ten years ago. And I’m not hitting on you; you’re too uptight for me. I’m saying it out of pure art appreciation.” Keri looked down at her chest. “If mine looked like yours, I’d take off my top for people, too. All the time.”

  “Don’t you already do that? Like every weekend?”

  Keri ignored her. “If they had boob models, you could totally be one.”

  “They do. They’re called porn stars.”

  “Right. Well, a bra model then,” Keri said.

  “Um, thank you? But for everyone back at Jefferson High, I’m the girl who flirted with their boyfriends and ended up half-nude online. There were plenty of slutty girls. There were these triplets…” Martina shook her head. “But ending up topless online trumps just about anything three flexible sisters could do.”

  “Then you have to go. They’re all going to be gossiping about you if you don’t.” Keri gave her a sympathetic look.

  “And they’ll all be gossiping about me if I do show up.”

  “But at least you’ll be there to hold your head high. Let them see you’ve moved on.” Keri tipped her chin up as if to demonstrate.

  Martina glanced at the papers next to her, suddenly not so eager to catch up on her work. She’d always poured herself into her career, but what did she have to show for it? No family, just a few friends. She had thought it was the escape she’d been looking for, but it only left her feeling empty. “I’m sure none of them will talk to me. They’ll probably be worried about me flirting with their dates.”

  “So bring a date. Then you won’t seem so threatening.”

  “I’m not dating anyone.”

  Keri sucked in a breath and clasped her hands together. “Bring me! You can pretend you’re a lesbian, then no one will be worried about you flirting with their guys. And they’ll probably all be so shocked they’ll forget the whole Girls Get It On picture. I’ll be touchy-feely without actually kissing you. Unless you want me to.”

  “I think I’ll pass.”

  Keri frowned. “On the kiss?”

  “On bringing you as my date. Or going to the damn thing at all.”

  Keri set down her bowl and stood up. “You really should think about it some more. What could be more satisfying than showing them you’re so much more than what they think? Do this for you. And for me. I want to hear all about it later.”

  Keri had a point. It might bring some closure. “I don’t know. Maybe. If I can find someone to bring.”

  Keri opened her mouth, but Martina interrupted. “A man to bring.”

  Keri sat back down, frowning.

  ***

  Monday morning, Martina made a list of possible dates. There were a few guys she was friendly with at the gym, but no one she knew well enough to ask. You don’t just ask the guy on the treadmill next to yours if he could pass the cleaning spray and if he’d like to take you to your class reunion—once you catch his name. It’d have to be someone she worked with. She made a list of all the single guys, then casually inquired around the office whether or not they had girlfriends. When Toby from sales dropped by her desk with a lunch invitation and Jim from IT called to ask what she was doing that weekend, Martina realized it must look like she was trolling for men. Which she was, technically, but just for a date and nothing more than that. Toby and Jim were players, so that wouldn’t work. She had to wrap this up quickly before she tarnished her reputation as a serious, hardworking accountant. There were a few silly girls in marketing who did their fair share of flirting. She didn’t want to be lumped in with them.

  During lunch, Martina reviewed her list. There were three possible candidates. Greg in HR was a few years older than her and always seemed to be staring at her. She didn’t know if she could take a whole night of that. Matt was four years younger and might not be willing to give up an evening of video gaming. That left Jackson in sales as her best candidate. He seemed as conservative as she was, was polite and professional, and hadn’t ever given her a second look. She figured she could ask him the favor without him expecting anything X-rated in return.

  Martina looked at her watch. Lunch was over in fifteen minutes and the reunion was in two weeks. She should get this over with before she could talk herself out of it. Because Keri was right. Martina needed to get back her pride.

  Swallowing a groan, Martina walked back to Jackson’s desk. It was really hard to get men to do things for you without flirting, she’d learned. When she got to his workstation, she cleared her throat.

  He looked up. “Oh, hi Martina. I thought you didn’t need those forms until tomorrow?” Jackson asked, turning in his chair to face her.

  “No, you’re right. Tomorrow is fine. That’s not why I’m here. I have a rather unusual question to ask. A favor really.” She smiled and wondered how fake it looked.

  He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, giving her a curious grin. “This is a first.” Jackson was a good-looking guy, but just as buttoned-up as she was. His rich brown eyes smiled behind horn-rimmed glasses. Seeing the way his arms bulged as he crossed them, she suspected he spent some time at the gym outside of work. But he was the perfect, conservative guy to bring as a date. Someone who wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. Someone who looked like the male version of her.

  “This is a bit embarrassing. But my high school reunion is coming up, and I’d like to go, but for a number of reasons, I don’t want to go alone.” She paused for a breath and tried to slow down. “So, I was wondering if you might come as my date? Just as friends of course. It’s in two weeks. I’m only going to the Friday event, so it’s just one night.”

  He smiled without saying anything for a bit. She wondered if he was trying to come up with a good excuse to say no. Then he shrugged. “My ten-year reunion was a blast. Everyone should go to theirs, including you. I don’t have any plans that night. Sure, I’ll go with you.”

  She sighed and smiled. “Thanks so much.”

  “Just tell me where and when to pick you up.”

  Martina gave him the information and headed back to her desk, surprised she was actually going to do this. And suddenly a bit excited, too. She looked back over her shoulder at Jackson and felt a little surge through her belly she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

  ***

  Jackson watched Martina walk away. She had a very nice rear view, but man, that woman was uptight. He’d never met anyone who was all business, all the time. That’s why it was so surprising for her to ask him about anything that wasn’t work related. He was hoping at some point she’d tell him why she needed to bring a date to her reunion. He chuckled to himself. Maybe she was trying to drum up business for the company to keep all the positions in the accounting department relevant. Sounded like something she’d do.

  But maybe it was something incredibly embarrassing. Maybe she’d been an ugly duckling back in high school and didn’t want to show up single. Whatever it was, he hoped he wouldn’t have to punch anyone before the night was over. Jackson tried hard to maintain his professional image at work. If anyone knew he was a former bouncer trying to earn enough money to open a string of tattoo studios, business as an elementary school educational software salesman would dry up without a doubt. He figured one more year working here and he’d have enough to quit and bankroll his first location. He worked a few nights a week inking at his buddy’s place just to keep his skills sharp.

  Jackson smiled at Martina as he left the office at five. He wondered how long her hair was. It was always pulled back in that bun. It was a nice color. She had a pretty face with pouty lips and high cheekbones. And her body was smokin’ hot. But somehow, she just didn’t exude sexy. She certainly didn’t send off any “I’m available” signals, but clearly she was single if she was asking him to be her date. The mo
re he thought about it, Martina was a mystery he’d like to unravel.

  If she let him have a chance. And that seemed unlikely.

  ***

  For the next two weeks, Martina kept catching herself watching Jackson. He probably was going to think she had a secret crush on him and that inviting him to the reunion had just been a ploy. It’s not that he wasn’t attractive. He was. Very much so. Now that they had made these plans, she was self-conscious around him. They’d smile and say hi as usual, but there was no discussion of the date or any phone calls. Guess the invitation hadn’t aroused any curiosity, Martina thought. Which was fine. They worked together and she didn’t need an office romance derailing her career.

  But still, it had been so long since she’d had a serious boyfriend, it was hard not to imagine what her life would be like with a man in it. She had thought her career would be satisfying enough. And it had been for a while. But with the big thirty knocking on the door and a ten-year class reunion to attend, it got her to reevaluating her life. Her parents lived across the country but kept in contact often enough to harass her about the grandchildren they were hoping for. But lately, they’d given up and seemed to be refocusing their efforts on her younger sister, who was only twenty-two.

  But Jackson wouldn’t be solving that problem for her. He was taking her to her reunion and that was favor enough. The two weeks flew by and finally, the day of the reunion, she approached him during lunch. “So, we’re still on for tonight, right? My reunion?”

  “Of course. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said.

  She smiled nervously and hurried back to her desk, feeling like she was back in high school the way her stomach turned over as she thought about the night ahead.

  ***

  After work, Martina put on the midnight-blue suit she’d bought just for the reunion. It definitely did not shout sexy or flirty. If anything, it said stay away. She brushed out her hair and it went back up in a bun, and she touched up her neutral makeup. She took her contacts out and put on her glasses.

  She went out in the living room and stood in front of Keri. “What do you think?”

  Keri frowned. “Are you going to a funeral first? Interviewing for a librarian position at a convent? At least tell me there’s a see-through lace camisole under that jacket.”

  Martina looked down and picked a piece of lint off her sleeve. “No. That’s the kind of thing I would’ve worn once upon a time.”

  “Let’s just hope your date can keep his hands off you in that.” Keri rolled her eyes.

  The doorbell rang. “That’s him,” Martina said.

  “I want to meet him! If he’s not good enough, I’m still available,” Keri called out.

  Martina dashed to the door and opened it. “Hi, Jackson. Come in.”

  He stepped inside and Keri stood up and waved. “Hi, there.”

  “Jackson, this is my roommate, Keri.”

  He walked over and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Keri walked around him, eyeing him up like a cat inspecting a bird in a cage. “You, too. Very nice of you to help Martina with her plan.”

  Jackson cocked an eyebrow. “Plan?”

  “Keri,” Martina hissed.

  “Oops. Well, you two have fun. I’m going to enjoy a nice long Netflix binge tonight, so don’t hurry home.” She winked and sauntered off to her room, already wearing her kimono.

  “What are you not telling me?” Jackson asked. He looked slightly amused.

  “It’s nothing. I just didn’t want to show up alone. So try to pretend this isn’t the very last thing you’d like to be doing tonight.”

  “It’s not. We never get to talk at work. It’ll be nice to get to know you better, Martina.” He opened the door and led her out to his car.

  She climbed in and they headed for the reunion. Jackson looked like he always did, dressed in a conservative suit, although he’d left off the tie. “You said it was casual, right?” he asked, catching her looking at him.

  “Right. You look perfect.” And she meant it. Jackson looked more casual, and he seemed much more relaxed than he usually did at work.

  “You look great,” he said. Actually, she looked exactly the same as she did every day at work, she realized. There really had been no need to buy a new outfit.

  Jackson pulled up to the bar, where there was free valet parking.

  “Did I tell you Tripp McCall is paying for all this? He graduated in my class,” she said.

  “No way. The guy who owns McCall Me?” Jackson whistled.

  “It should be a good party, if nothing else.” Martina got out of the car and squared her shoulders. She could do this. She could totally do this.

  Jackson left his keys with the valet and opened the door of the bar for her. “I can’t believe they closed this down for a private party. I don’t think they’ve ever done that.”

  “Tomorrow’s dinner is on a yacht. Sunday they’ve rented a country club for some picnic thing.”

  “You sure you don’t want to go all three days?”

  She adjusted her glasses. “I’m totally sure.”

  When they stepped inside, Brandi Parkman and Alyssa White were sitting at the registration table. Brandi smiled at her curiously. “Hi, there.”

  “Hello.” Martina tried to smile but probably looked like she’d stubbed her toe. Her heart had kicked up a notch and she had a death grip on her clutch. Suddenly, this seemed like a very bad idea.

  Brandi tilted her head and squinted her eyes at her. “I’m sorry, I’m not recognizing you.”

  “Martina Klein.”

  Alyssa’s jaw dropped while Brandi jabbed Alyssa with her elbow.

  “Marti? Wow, you look so different,” Brandi said, writing Marti on a name tag. “I would’ve gotten you one of the customized name tags everyone else has, but I didn’t think you were coming.” Brandi pointed to the tag with her name and high school yearbook picture. She handed Martina the sticker with her name on it.

  “It was a last-minute decision. And I’m going by Martina now,” she said.

  “Oh, sorry.” Brandi ripped up the name tag and wrote out a new one. “And who is this with you?” Brandi’s eyebrows arched and her gaze traveled over Jackson.

  “My date, Jackson.”

  Jackson put his arm around her and Martina sucked in a breath. Oh, she did not want to admit how good that felt. How sad. All it took was an arm around her waist to get her hormones reeling.

  Brandi wrote Jackson’s name down on another tag. “Well, the boys will be disappointed you’re not here alone.”

  Martina gave her a smile. “High school was a long time ago.” She clasped her hands in front of her to keep them from shaking.

  “You two have fun!” Alyssa said. “We’re going to have a ball drop at midnight!”

  “And a bubble machine!” Brandi added. “And some other surprises, too.” She winked at Martina.

  Jackson steered her toward the bar. “So, you look different and the boys will be disappointed? There’s a story here, and I want to hear it.”

  Amazing. It had taken all of ninety seconds to realize this had been a colossal mistake. “It’s nothing. It’s stupid. Can you just get us some drinks? It’s all paid for. Open bar. So wine or whatever they can pour fastest.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Jackson left and Martina walked backward, scanning the room. The place was packed. Pictures from the yearbook had been blown up and placed around the room on easels. A big-screen TV showed highlights from prom. Balloons in the school colors filled the room. Taking another step back, she banged into the wall.

  She didn’t see one familiar, friendly face. But what had she expected? She hadn’t kept in touch with anyone from high school. Not even on Facebook. She saw a few people looking her way, then whispering. She flattened the palms of her hands against the cool, concrete wall. How long did she have to stay at the reunion to feel like she’d moved beyond all this?

  A tall, thin guy walked over. He looked fami
liar, but she couldn’t remember his name. “Is that you, Marti?” He held out his hand. “Brett Carson. Remember the party after homecoming?”

  She remembered trying to fend off a drunk jerk who wouldn’t take no for an answer because she was Marti Klein and everyone knew Marti Klein was more than just a flirt.

  “I do. Boring party,” she said.

  His smile fell and he looked her over. “I was hoping to see a bit more of you tonight.”

  She tipped up her chin. “Sorry to disappoint.”

  “Excuse me, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Jackson, Martina’s date.” Jackson put his hand on the small of Martina’s back; she shivered.

  “Brett Carson.” He shook Jackson’s free hand. They sized each other up. “I was just taking a walk down memory lane with Party Marti. She was a lot of fun in high school.” Brett took a step back. “I’ll see you two later.”

  Martina turned to Jackson. “Thanks.”

  “Sorry I didn’t get our drinks. I saw the look on your face and came right over. Who was that?” he asked.

  “Just some jerk from high school.”

  His mouth curled into a half smile. “Party Marti?”

  She looked over at a huge picture of a group of people at homecoming. Martina was right in front of the shot, arms spread wide, showing ample cleavage in her gown. “I made some bad choices in high school. Coming here wasn’t a good idea.”

  Jackson didn’t even notice her in the picture. He probably would never imagine that was her. He took her by the arm. “We’re here. Try to make the best of it. Whatever they thought of you a decade ago, show them you’re more than that now.”

  Did he have a point? Ten years had passed. People changed. Everyone must have some regrets from high school, right? “I’m going to freshen up in the bathroom.” Martina hurried to the bathroom and locked herself in a stall. She leaned against the door. Why did she care what any of these people thought? Why had she bothered coming? It wasn’t like she was hoping to renew any old friendships. The girls she thought had been her friends abandoned her after her picture showed up on the website. Luckily, she’d made new friends at college and mostly focused on studying instead of partying. So why were tears trickling down her face now? Why couldn’t she move on?