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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#81: Candy Hearts

Ah, love. From the first spark of attraction to the soul-deep contentment of a long-established relationship, romantic love is a force that continues to mystify, enthrall, and surprise us.

And while there’s plenty to criticize about Valentine’s Day, it’s still a nice excuse for people in romantic relationships to stop and appreciate their partners for a day. Especially during lockdown, when quarters are tight and nerves are often frayed, it’s important to remember why we chose the person (or people) we coupled up with.

What better time for a writer to dive headfirst into romances? No matter how many times we tell a love story, each relationship is going to have its own unique joys and frustrations, and we want to feel them all. So feel free to let your sappy side out — this week we’re celebrating love!

This week's prompts

Write about two people reconnecting after a rough patch in their relationship.

Romance – 247 stories

Write a love story about an older couple who’ve been together since they were teenagers.

Romance – 168 stories

Write about a first date that surprises both people, but in different ways.

Romance – 161 stories

Start your story with one character setting up a romantic dinner, and end it with them looking at a framed wedding photo.

Romance – 181 stories

Write about someone asking out an old crush, only to realize their crush doesn’t remember they’ve ever met before.

Romance – 158 stories

Stories

“A Game Changing Date” by Ryan Haynes

Submitted to Contest #81

"Hmph, so you're Willy, eh?"Willy sat at a table in the local Italian restaurant, motioning to the chair on the other side. A beautiful woman with a tight red dress looked at him with a disapproving glare. "Indeed. Please have a seat.""Your profile on DateMe.com was a muscular picture of you." The woman whose name was Petunia said with disgust. "You don't look muscular, just overweight. I suppose the line about having money was a lie too?""Apologies." Willy sneered. "I see that the line on your profile about being open minded and charmi...

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“A New Chapter” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #81

Emma pulled on freshly cleaned pants, checked her hair in the mirror again, popped out her earrings and tried on the blue ones. Curse these people I call friends, she thought, why are they so determined I meet new people. Picking up her book, the smooth worn surface under her fingers, she tucked it away in her purse and stopped, ears tuned for noise. Detecting only some music a few rooms over, she poked her head out into the kitchen. Looking around she saw no one else and smiled. Swiftly tiptoeing along, she qui...

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“An Unexpected Dinner Companion” by Bryan Imes

Submitted to Contest #81

Adelaide met resistance when she pushed the restaurant door. Her body unexpectedly fell forward, her shoulder smashing into the glass and thankfully, barely saving her face from hitting it as well. There, a mere inch or two from her eyes on the glass were white letters that read “Pull.” Yeah, that seems about right. She rolled her eyes at herself, took a deep breath and pulled the door open. The inside of the restaurant was not what she had expected. For starters it was cold. Unbelievably cold. It was as if sh...

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“Timber” by Kiley Dumas

Submitted to Contest #81

Debbie was excited about the evening and had planned extensively, as was her way. Using a dating app wasn’t her usual method, but so far it was proving to be fruitful. Greg was the third hunk she had linked up with using it, and KindLnk promised 5+ matches a month or your money back. That kind of guarantee was impossible to turn down, especially in her business. After connecting on KindLnk, Greg had initiated a chat two weeks ago, and they had shared no less than five text conversations and two emails since. Dinner had been arranged and ag...

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“The Guy Who Loved the Gym” by A.J. Brown

Submitted to Contest #81

Courtney walked towards the table and couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. The face looked like Ben’s from the picture. But it couldn’t be him. But the face did look like him. “Ben?” she said and he looked up at her. It had to be Courtney as no one else would have known his name, and the face did look like her profile picture. But she wasn’t what he was expecting. She wore a red tank top and her arms were quite muscular. She wore a short pair of shorts and her legs were thick and muscular as well. Her...

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“Cinderella with a twist” by Victory Omokhiboria

Submitted to Contest #81

Cinderella recounted her past experiences with tears of somewhat mixed feelings flowing down her chin while sitting close her husband. Deep in thoughts,Cinderella pictured certain moments of her life;from the time when she lost her parents, to when she was treated unfairly by her stepmother and stepsisters and finally,to how she got to her present destination which was her life as a married woman. Cinderella was a beautiful young girl whose mother died immediately she (Cinderella) was given birth to. Cinderella's father took care of C...

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“Love will find a Way” by Regine Raymundo

Submitted to Contest #81

Olivia's Point of View “Ma'am, you have a lunch meeting with Mr. Fitz. ” said my secretary. I just nodded in approval. I was wonder when I did not hear the door close so I looked up. He was reaching for a white folder so I took it. “Thank you. You may go. ” He nodded and left my office. I put the folder he gave me, I did not open it because I already knew what was in it. I got up from my seat and picked up my phone. I face at the glass wall and put the phone to my ear as it rang. “Hey, Zoe. Is ...

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“The Young Prince 2” by Fall Write

Submitted to Contest #81

"Thank you, Amanda. You're a great help," Kix said happily to the manager of an Italian restaurant. "You're always welcome, Prince Kendrick. Our restaurant will give our best service and make your dinner date the most romantic and lavish," Amanda said reassuringly. "Oh! Thank you. Bye," he said a bit shocked. He cut the line throwing his body to his bed and sigh. If only Amanda knows, she's not going to say those. But he will make sure that this date will be the most romantic date her first love has ever had so that she will remember him for...

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“What Love Is” by Danielle Burke

Submitted to Contest #81

Lauren stepped back to survey the table, wondering briefly if the heart-shaped foil confetti was a bit too cheesy. She shook her head to dismiss the thought; questioning herself was becoming a habit, one she didn’t want to stick. She was hoping tonight would set things on a smoother path, help her unravel the knots her mind had kinked itself into lately. Lauren tensed when the doorbell rang. Was that a normal reaction? She wasn’t sure what normal was anymore although her best friend, Cameron, told her she was certainly missing the ma...

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“Clad in white” by Strafi Writes

Submitted to Contest #81

Everything had to be perfect. He scrambles around in the kitchen, garnishing the entreé he had spent the last 2 hours preparing, setting the fancy dinner plates along with their designated forks and spoons on the dining table. He then opens a bottle of wine but doesn't pour it in the two wine glasses sitting face to face on the table. He lights the sweet-scented candles, their warmth immediately enfolding the entire room. Everything was perfect. For a moment, he stands there and just ponders on what's to come. How things might turn out...

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“Mr. Sheriff Woody.” by Sakshi Deora

Submitted to Contest #81

It is a truth nationwide acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of good twenty five years, must be in want of a husband. What is it the nineties? My thoughts exactly. I wonder if my parents are modern or backwards, that they had coaxed, and almost bribed me on a date with a man whose parents they most admire. They still believe a good set of parents, with pints of good upbringing can make a "good man". Only if they knew how I turned out. So here I am, placing the menus on the table of the restaurant my father owns, which I mus...

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“Heavenly” by Riya Das

Submitted to Contest #81

“The Royal Enclave has a wonderful view of the city. Should I book a table for us there, Colin?” “Well yes, you can do so. How about the buffet from nine?” “Very well, then. Yes, looking forward to meeting you as well.” Beep. The phone went black and Eva lay back on her chair. Her satin, mauve shaded dress sighed on her behalf as the cloth dragged over the wooden chair. Her eyes fell on a picture, as they always did, kept on the mantle above the fireplace. It was a Polaroid, torn on one edge, placed against a crystal ashtray. A young m...

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“This is it” by Roth Sassin (inactive)

Submitted to Contest #81

This is it. "Hi? Yes, this is Owen Losberg. I'd like to order the Lovers Bundle. You don't know what that is? It's the one with the roses and tulips and stuff. No-I don't mean Valentine's Day Assortment. I mean the Lover's Bundle. It's out of stock? Come on! Fine, I'll get Valentine's Day Assortment. Yes. I'm 1649 N. Bullard Ave and my phone number is 573-802-8820. Ok. Bye." This is it. "Hi. I'd like to get the one with opal. Yeah. That one. You have it? Thank you. I'll pick it up at 6:30. Sound good? Yeah, sorry, my name's Owen Losber...

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“A memorable night” by Mariana Del Rosal

Submitted to Contest #81

The table was all set: spotless crystal glasses, silverware, a bouquet of gorgeous, unscented pink camellias, and a delicate tablecloth that covered the small round table set in the dim corner of that exclusive restaurant. The waiter noticed the hostess welcoming Mr. Josh Carrigan and his companion. He had made reservations a week in advance and the manager at Locario’s always kept his favorite spot. As the big man in an expensive suit approached, the waiter lighted the candles just in time to greet the customers. –Good evening, sir, ...

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“Lavender” by Flora Mack

Submitted to Contest #81

I place three California rolls on each plate and a piece of sliced mango on each. I’ve never made sushi before but it should be no problem for a professional cook. I put the plates on either side of the rose petal covered table and light the candles. The smell of warm honey drifts through the air. She should be here any minute now. I think, my heart beating through my shirt. Fifteen minutes pass and she isn’t here. The candles are nearly gone and the smell of honey is faint and bitter. The rose petals wilt and the mango has stopp...

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$50

Prize money

915

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 19, 2021 EST

Won by Molly Quinnell 🏆

Title: Golden Cheekbones and the Rising Sun

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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