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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

“The Story” by Lyn Carstone

Submitted to Contest #81

Present Day “Tell me the story again.” Cassidy spun away from the console where she had been helping me arrange pictures. As we had worked, she had begged for the story that went along with each photo declaring each one her favorite. Her Mom being born, mine and Carol’s first date, the first photo of me holding Cassidy, vacations, and birthdays. “What story?” I hedged but I knew which one. The one that went with the picture in the middle. Or more accurately the story that resulted in the center photo. Cassidy asked over and over again for me...

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“A familiar dish” by Andrea Itt

Submitted to Contest #81

Jael began setting the table for dinner in the quiet night. He went to the shelf that lay in the far end of the room, plates were stacked neatly and a tablecloth sat at the bottom. He grabbed the tablecloth and began to lay it over the table. He dutifully smoothed out the old table cloth running his hands over old patterns. The table cloth had been a wedding gift for them and had shone beautifully with red and gold leaf designs. Now the colors had faded from their original vibrance and it was covered in stitches where he or Azalea ha...

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“Love Never Dies” by Linda Swanner

Submitted to Contest #81

Jen Anderson sat two places at the table for a special dinner. Tonight, it was all about celebrating romance, and she intended to do exactly that. She’d carefully prepared the very same meal that she and her husband Michael had enjoyed so many times before. She chose the exact same wine and even played their favorite romantic music. Everything was almost ready. She lit two candles and turned the lights down, smiling in the knowledge that she had created an atmosphere that was just right. As she filled her plate ...

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“The Luck E-1 ( The Wedding Anniversary)” by Rahnyah Stormyst

Submitted to Contest #81

June 26th, 2413 AD.Adrik James Connelly, sat up quickly, and bumped his head on the bulkhead above his bed. He reached out quickly on the bed when he realized Katia wasn't beside him, then his mind cleared as he heard her moving around. He realized that he was back on the cargo vessel and stretched his leg out rubbing his shoulder. Then rubbed his head lightly as he saw the shift of Katia's tail off to the side. Then his nostrils were hit with the strong smell of something she was brewing in a strange looking pot. He sniffed deeply and said ...

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“Sweet memories.” by Vitoria Melo

Submitted to Contest #81

It had been a sunny day outside, with birds chirping, the sweet and warm breeze of spring waving through crowds of people, the feeling of lightness the season brought. Just like the last time, he felt his world crumbling beneath his feet on this exact day, but only this time he couldn’t afford to break with it, he was alone, and he knew someone depended on him, he had to be strong. He focused on the task at hand, finishing the last touches the place needed. As night set on the horizon it brought a fresh breeze, so different from ho...

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“Footsteps” by Mike Burgess

Submitted to Contest #81

Lynnette gave the packaging around the gateau on the worktop a little squeeze. Yes, that appeared to be defrosting according to schedule. Something caught her eye through the window, moving across the garden. The fox was back, leaving tracks in the otherwise undisturbed snow as twilight settled over the roofs in the distance.She shuffled a chair out of the way to get to the door on the left-hand side of the dresser. This mighty object arrived when they emptied her grandparents' old place. It was all she had to remember them by. And reme...

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“Table For Two” by George Davis

Submitted to Contest #81

Table For Two—George Davis Herbert Pillsbury called the Bickford Inn to make reservations for him and his newest girlfriend, Adelaide Norton. She is the prettiest thing ever walk God’s green earth. She’s more beautiful than a basket of good, ripe Maine Blueberries Herbert thought. “Yes, Mr. Pillsbury, we can accommodate your request: dinner for two on Friday the 12th,” Owner and maître D,’ Orrin Welch confirmed the reservation. “Well, Hon, it’s all set. I’m taking you to the Bickford Inn for di...

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“An Unexpected Guest” by Dani Hall

Submitted to Contest #81

“Fu-“ I started to say, staring down at the now large stain of red wine spilling across the crisp white linen of the brand new table cloth I had just purchased. “-dge.” I finished after a moment, deflated. I contemplated the perfect setting of plate, silverware, napkins, and now one poured glass of wine. It had taken a time to set everything up perfectly, and now one rogue elbow had sent the entire evening into disarray. &...

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“Waiting For Her Turn” by ConstipatedGiraffe95 🦒

Submitted to Contest #81

Grace Thatcher worked at a restaurant. A romantic restaurant, to be specific. People came in couples, spending hours at a candlelit table, and most of the time someone proclaimed their great love for the other, ending in tears and celebration. Grace was awfully happy with her job. She was also awfully good at her job. But at her job, she was awfully lonely. You see, she saw smiles and love and romance every day, but she herself had never experienced it. She waited for tables of starry-eyed couples, but she had never been quite starry...

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“Chilli” by David Harland

Submitted to Contest #81

The chilli was almost ready. It was time to add what Carl jokingly called his “secret ingredient:” a teaspoonful of chocolate. He was proud of his chilli. He had cooked it for Mary, on one of their first dates; she had been very impressed with his cooking, although he was sure she was suspicious that it was the only thing he could make. Which wasn’t far from the truth. Anyway, tonight was a special occasion; their anniversary, five years of married life. Although a lot of that time had been spent apart, Carl still thought himself very lucky....

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“The Date” by Olivia Spotter

Submitted to Contest #81

I almost forgot! The tablecloth is first, I put on the white tablecloth which is my favorite cloth. It’s perfect for this soon to be magical day of my date. I keep dreaming of his perfect, smooth blonde hair and his dreamy smile. He’s all I wished for. I put a clear vase filled with red roses that represent love and romance. I grab the lanterns and light them up. Every lantern I put up means I’m closer to finishing this romance setting in my backyard and seeing him. The lanterns look like his glowing, shiny blue eyes. I look a...

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“New Beginnings” by Bhavya Nayak

Submitted to Contest #81

Tick - Euphoria The buzzer of the oven beeped insistently through the otherwise still air of the cozy and homely kitchen, snapping Rhea out of her pleasant reverie. Tearing her eyes away from the dewy mountains surrounding her townhouse in Mussoorie, she hurried to open the glass door of the oven and was immediately greeted with a rush of heat and the heavenly aroma of baked goodies. After ensuring the proper placement of the multicolored cupcakes on the kitchen counter to cool down, she grabbed a bottle of merlot and sat with a grateful sig...

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“First Dinner” by Breonna Lexis

Submitted to Contest #81

Anniversary Dinner I didn’t go into work today. I called my boss last night and told her I was sick. We both knew I was lying but she didn’t say anything. She knew what I had to do today, so I don’t think she minded. I woke up late so I had to rush to get everything together. I painted the table cloth last week so I didn’t have to worry about that drying. It’s a white cloth that I painted colorful flowers all over it. Her favorite colors, pastels and green leaves. It has a...

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“Would you still love me today if you knew I would die tomorrow?” by George Puscuta

Submitted to Contest #81

I could never remember where the fork went. It’s just one of those things that you never pay attention to going through life, like the color of one of your neighbors’ car, the way your watch touches your skin, or the feel of the door handle from your apartment complex’s door. But the moment you need to remember that one detail, or the moment something changes: the car is no longer there, the battery runs out on your watch, a screw from the handle loosens up a bit, it’s there, the question immediately pops up. How was it before, what’s change...

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“Dinner for Christine” by David Moyer

Submitted to Contest #81

“Remind me again why I’m here? I should be sitting right above the 40-yard line with my war-paint on.” My best friend John had tickets to the Seahawks game tonight, but I had roped him into helping me setup this romantic night instead. “You’re here because you owe me one, and because you love Christine as much as I do, and you know this will make her happy.” John and I had been best friends since the first grade. Even though my family moved around a lot, we stayed i...

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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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